Description
Inhabitants of Łód aren't aware of the role and importance of the community councils and that shows in the very low turnout in the elections to these councils. The project aims at enhancing cooperation between 10 community councils in Łód and their inhabitants in order to strengthen their competencies and their role as an intermediate level of local government, for the councils should be real subsidiary units for people in their relations with local government. In addition, through informational activities we will enhance the knowledge on community councils, thus strengthening participatory processes in Łód. Main activities: a) survey on the role of councils in participatory processes - at least 7200 respondents, b) educational activities for councillors - 24 councillors (trainings, study visit), c) information activities on the role of community councils in Łód - at least 450 people, d) community initiatives - participatory activities engaging community councils and inhabitants - at least 100 people engaged in joint planning process, e) promotion of good practices in order to consolidate results of the project.
Summary of project results
"Estate councils mark the lowest level of municipal authorities. In Łódź they cooperate with the Town Council and the President of the City and engage themselves in lives of local communities. Yet, very rarely they take part in participatory processes, such as public consultations, participatory budget, or local initiatives. Citizens are not familiar with their role or scope of responsibilities. The project strives to enhance the quality of participatory processes in Łódź via development of cooperation of 11 Łódź-based estate councils with citizens. The project has had a positive impact on the number of applications for the participatory budget and the turnout during the 2015 voting. The overwhelming majority of councilors who contributed to the project submitted at least one application. The bulk of councils took up the effort to promote tasks they want to achieve and collect votes. A qualitative study was conducted to identify the presence and the power of involvement vested in councils that engage themselves in participatory projects. Nine local diagnoses were made in cooperation with councilors and animators. Representatives of 11 selected estate councils (24 councilors) took part in four trainings addressing such issues like community diagnosis, citizens' involvement, implementation of local initiatives. A study visit was made to the GFIS Foundation to explore community housing projects in the district of Orunia in Gdańsk and get an insight into cooperation of Gdańsk City Hall with District Councils. 11 information toolkits and videos were developed to provide citizens with an overview of the role played by selected estate councils. The project activities resulted in nine major estate-based initiatives (a running event for citizens of Ruda; Green Smulsko - a tree-planting campaign within the estate; installing 50 homes for insects) attended by more than 2,700 people altogether. Recommendations were submitted to councils and officials during the final meeting that took stock of project deliverables. Beneficiaries of the project were estate council members, Łódź City Hall and the local community engaged in the rollout of local initiatives."
Summary of bilateral results