More information
Description
The aim is to develop the cooperation network of Vana-Pärnu community NGOs, private companies and local governments. Within the community, we integrate different age groups and nationalities. At the end of the project, we will have prepared a comprehensive manual on how the local government and various NGOs should cooperate with each other. In addition, Vana-Pärnu community NGO will have a development plan, a communication plan and a pan-Estonian network of cooperation partners. To achieve this, we organize a sports competition between various NGOs and local governments in the summer. We visit, for example, Tõrva and Paldiski, where today the cooperation between the communities and the local government is going well. We write down their success stories and do a more in-depth analysis of how the current results were reached and what could be improved. We organize questionnaires among NGOs, local governments and community members in order to map the main areas of concern and possible solutions to improve cooperation. At the end of the project, the manual will be publicly readable by all interested parties. Within the Vana-Pärnu community of NGOs, we organize a summer event to bring together people of different age groups and nationalities (integration).
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several issues within the Vana-Pärnu community. First, it sought to improve community engagement by providing a platform for residents to voice concerns and collectively address them with city officials, reducing individual burdens. Second, it aimed to foster cooperation between community members and local businesses, mitigating conflicts related to noise, dust, and odors from nearby facilities. Strengthening partnerships with other civic organizations was another key goal. Finally, the lack of a strategic development and communication plan was identified as a major issue, prompting efforts to create a clear vision for the community’s future.
The project focused on several key activities to strengthen the Vana-Pärnu community. A website, www.vanaparnu.ee, was created to introduce the district to a wider audience and support its goal of becoming the most attractive residential and recreational area in Pärnu. The project also fostered a stronger sense of community, leading to the annual Vana-Pärnu Family Day, first held in 2023.
Additionally, the community now has a development plan and a handbook for other civic organizations on how to build and grow a CSO. The project also facilitated valuable networking opportunities, with visits from other organizations. Overall, the project strengthened both internal and external networks, creating new collaboration opportunities for future initiatives.
The project successfully achieved its primary objectives by implementing essential community initiatives that would have been difficult to accomplish without external funding. Key achievements include the launch of the Vana-Pärnu website, the establishment of the annual Vana-Pärnu Family Day, and the development of strategic proposals to improve collaboration between the local government and the community. The project also involved studying successful municipal partnerships in Elva, Paldiski, and Tõrva, providing valuable insights into improving relations with the City of Pärnu.
Internally, the sense of community has strengthened through shared events such as Family Day, the Autumn Festival, and the opening of the low-rope adventure park. The community’s reputation has grown, attracting external volunteers who contributed to local initiatives, such as cleaning public spaces and painting playgrounds, despite having no direct ties to Vana-Pärnu. This unexpected increase in external support and recognition highlights the project’s success in fostering a collaborative and engaged community. Moving forward, Vana-Pärnu remains committed to building on these achievements, advocating for stronger local government partnerships, and ensuring continued growth and development.