Description
Lithuania is characterized by low involvement of local communities and NGOs in environment protection-related public policy and decision making at the local governance level, which is largely caused by a lack of policy analysis and advocacy skills. The objective of the project is to enhance engagement of local communities and NGOs in environment protection-related public policy making and implementation at the local level by strengthening their public policy analysis and advocacy skills. We expect to increase NGO involvement in public policy and decision making at the local governance level and improved advocacy and civic control. 15 practical public policy analysis and advocacy trainings for local communities and NGOs will be organized based on the innovative active teaching and learning method of case study and handbooks of public policy analysis as well as advocacy and communication. An online platform will be created with all study material available. Our target group is 150 local NGOs and communities in 15 Lithuanian municipalities. The project outputs will be available to all Lithuanian citizens, as information will be published online.
Summary of project results
Lithuania is characterised by low involvement of local communities and NGOs in environment protection-related public policy and decision making at the local governance level which is largely caused by a lack of policy analysis and advocacy skills. The objective of the project was to enhance engagement of local communities and NGOs in environment protection-related public policy making and implementation at the local level by strengthening their public policy analysis and advocacy skills. LFMI has carried out 15 interactive practical public policy analysis, advocacy and communication workshops for a total of 259 local communities and NGOs from 22 Lithuanian municipalities. For the training we produced 15 case studies on investment projects that presented analysis from economic, social, legal and environmental perspectives. LFMI has also published a public policy analysis handbook and an advocacy and communication handbook which was delivered to training participants and a total of 1975 local communities country-wise. LFMI produced tailor-made digests on economic and social development indicators for Lithuania’s 60 municipalities and an analytical study on investment and local communities’ engagement in local policy decision regarding investment projects based on a survey of local community leaders and analysis of municipalities’ economic and social development indicators. The study presented conclusions on the development of Lithuanian municipalities and advocacy by local communities as well as the environment and factors thereof. LFMI submitted these products to local communities, local action groups, municipal authorities, relevant ministries and parliamentary committees, NGOs, business organizations, regional business information centers and other stakeholders. All project outputs were made available online. Project promoter has generated 42 media placements and reached wide segments of stakeholder groups.
Summary of bilateral results
The contribution of the Norwegian Idebanken was key to transferring the Nordic perspective and good practices in promoting dialogue, social innovations and viable practical solutions in environmental development at the local governance level. Kirsten Paaby of Idenbanken delivered a valuable presentation to an international conference „Let‘s agree about the environment“ on 19 February 2015 which gathered a large audience local communities, environmental NGOs, representatives of national and local government authorities, academia and business assosiations. Kirsten Paaby also delivered a workshop “How to facilitate dialogue: Introduction to different methods” to LFMI’s team members and local community trainers on innovative techniques and methods for promoting dialogue (e.g. Café dialogue, The Future Scenario, The Network Circle, The Speed Dialogue, The Picture Circle). She also provided consultancy to LFMI on the planned local community training, its programme and delivery. This was instrumental in framing the local community training program and raising the quality of delivery.