Community in the centre – social-cultural centres as spaces of unity and solidarity

Description

The devastating earthquake also affected the activities of CSOs. After the earthquake, CSOs were additionally engaged in helping the local population, while the organizations registered in the earthquake-affected areas themselves suffered significant damage and their work was disrupted or completely disabled when it comes to project implementation and regular activities. In order not to jeopardize sustainability, quality of work, provision of services, implementation of activities,  CSOs in Sisak-Moslavina County (SMC) are forced to seek new solutions and ways of functioning in order to meet the needs of their users for which they operate.

As one of the solutions to the difficult situation of CSOs in Sisak and Petrinja, related to space and capacities, socio-cultural centers (SCC) are imposed as a successful model in creating conditions for social development and increasing the quality of life. In addition to providing space and resources to sustain activities, they enable citizens to create, consume, design, and propose content of public interest while establishing participatory governance models. In this context, they also respond to the humanitarian and social needs of the residents in the area of ​​SMC, by enabling the implementation of regular and humanitarian activities of CSOs. It is important to strengthen existing CSO capacities and establish new ones to establish functioning SCCs. The main goal of the project is to implement the advocacy and crowdfunding campaign and online and offline events to raise public awareness, decision makers and CSOs, which is to improve the position of CSOs in the earthquake-affected area by advocating the importance of socio-cultural centers for local communities and advocacy skills of CSOs and through capacity building and networking to create new opportunities for cooperation in order to resolve the crisis situation.

The role of all partners is to advocate and work towards founding community centres in Sisak and Petrinja.

Summary of project results

The project aimed to address several significant issues that arose in the aftermath of the 2020 earthquake in central Croatia, which severely impacted both the local communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) in the affected regions. The following were the key challenges the project sought to address:

1. Impact of the Earthquake on Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

• Infrastructure Damage: The earthquake caused substantial damage to the infrastructure of CSOs, particularly in the Sisak-Moslavina County (SMŽ), which hindered their ability to continue normal operations, implement projects, or provide regular services to the local population.
• Increased Demand for Services: The crisis led to a significant increase in the demand for humanitarian and social services provided by CSOs, especially in affected areas like Sisak and Petrinja, but the organizations struggled to meet this demand due to damaged infrastructure and reduced capacity.
• Operational Challenges: With the physical and operational disruptions caused by the earthquake, many CSOs were unable to continue delivering essential services. As a result, they faced challenges in maintaining sustainability and service quality, affecting their ability to respond to the growing needs of their communities.

2. Space and Capacity Constraints for CSOs in the Affected Areas

• Need for Alternative Solutions: Due to damaged infrastructure and limited resources, CSOs in SMŽ had to find innovative solutions to maintain their operations. One proposed solution was the creation of community-based cultural centers (DKC) to address both space and capacity constraints.
• Role of DKC: These centers were seen as vital for providing public space for community activities, supporting social development, and ensuring the continuity of humanitarian activities. They also offered opportunities for participatory management and helped CSOs to engage with the local community, allowing citizens to contribute to the development of public content.

3. Strengthening the Capacity of CSOs

• Building Capacity for DKC Operation: The creation of functional DKC required increased human and financial capacity within CSOs. For the centers to operate effectively, there was a need to build capacities in content development, management, advocacy, and administration.
• Human and Material Resource Mobilization: Strengthening the capacity of CSOs involved fostering collaboration and networking between organizations, as well as with external actors (both within and outside the sector). The project aimed to address the gap in resources by bringing together shared human and material resources to strengthen the operational capacity of CSOs.

4. Advocacy for the Establishment of DKC

• Zagovaranje (Advocacy): One of the project’s key objectives was to advocate for the creation of DKC in Sisak and Petrinja, using networking and advocacy campaigns to rally support for the idea. This involved public advocacy and leveraging crowdfunding and promotional campaigns to raise awareness and mobilize resources for the establishment of these centers.
• Systemic Solutions: The project focused on generating long-term systemic solutions that would provide a sustainable response to the challenges faced by CSOs. The goal was to develop long-term strategies that could support social recovery, humanitarian assistance, and community resilience in the aftermath of the earthquake.

5. Solidarity and Community Support

• Solidarity Actions: The project was fundamentally a solidarity initiative aimed at providing urgent support to the communities and CSOs severely impacted by the earthquake. This included mobilizing community energy and political will to develop and implement long-term solutions that addressed both the immediate crisis and the ongoing needs of CSOs and affected communities.

In summary, the project aimed to reinforce the capacity of CSOs in the earthquake-affected areas, provide alternative solutions to infrastructure damage through DKC, and advocate for long-term systemic change to ensure the sustainability of these organizations and their ability to continue providing humanitarian and social services to vulnerable populations.

The project carried out a variety of activities and produced multiple outputs aimed at addressing the needs of the local community in the earthquake-affected areas, primarily focusing on the establishment of community-based cultural centers (DKC) and strengthening civil society organizations (CSOs). Here''s a summary of what the project did:

1. Advocacy for the Establishment of DKC

• Online Conference: An online conference was held with 3 participants (double the expected number), where the concept of DKC and its importance for local communities were introduced to the wider public.
• Meetings with Stakeholders: Two meetings were organized with representatives from the civil, public, and private sectors, as well as citizens of Sisak and Petrinja. Stakeholders included a range of organizations such as Shega Digital, PGP Sisak, the City of Sisak, the City Museum Sisak, and others. The meetings helped assess the local need for DKC and led to support for a crowdfunding campaign.
• Catalog of Recommendations: A catalog of best practices and recommendations for the establishment of DKC was created. This catalog compiled relevant documentation from across Croatia and will be shared with organizations in the Mreža mladih Hrvatske and Operacija grad networks. It will also be distributed to local organizations in the area to promote the development of DKC.

2. Needs Assessment and Platform Development

• Research and Reports: Two reports were created: one on the needs of the local community and another on the needs of CSOs. The community survey highlighted the demand for cultural activities (music, film) and support services (legal advice, psychosocial help, educational activities).
• Survey Results: In total, 164 people from Sisak and 71 from Petrinja participated in the community survey, while 26 organizations from Sisak and 8 from Petrinja provided feedback on their needs.
• Establishing DKC Spaces: The project secured two container units as a temporary space for DKC, donated by UNICEF. Although these containers are not a long-term solution, they represent a quick response to the identified need for community spaces.

3. Creation of the DKC Platform

• Platform Structure: Two meetings were held to develop a proposal for the structure and functioning of the DKC platform in Sisak and Petrinja. The aim was to ensure the platform met local needs and could be developed in stages to create sustainable DKC spaces.
• Engagement of Local Partners: The process involved various local partners who were motivated to continue the project and further develop the platform as a central hub for cultural and social activities.

4. Crowdfunding Campaign and Promotion

• Training on Crowdfunding: Through training by the Brodoto agency, project partners learned how to organize and run a crowdfunding campaign. A core team was formed, including Ivona Eterović, Sven Janovski, and others, who successfully organized and executed the crowdfunding campaign.
• Crowdfunding Campaign: The campaign launched on September 22, 2021, and closed on October 13, 2021, raising a total of €6,665 through the crowdfunding platform, with an additional 7,646.20 HRK and 999.89 EUR deposited directly to the account. The campaign received support from over 100 individuals and organizations.
• Promotional Video: A promotional video produced in collaboration with Blank - Filmski inkubator was used to highlight local issues and needs, further strengthening the campaign''s impact. The campaign also gained significant media coverage from both local outlets (Petrinja and Sisak portals) and national media, such as Dnevnik.hr, Gloria, and HRT.
• Celebrity Support: Well-known figures such as Hladno Pivo, Edo Maajka, and Rade Šerbedžija supported the initiative by creating short videos in support of the campaign.

5. Partnerships and Donor Support

• Donations for DKC: The project received donations from organizations such as Nestlé (providing office equipment) and Aquarius Records, PDV Records, and others who donated rewards for the crowdfunding campaign. This support helped strengthen the credibility and visibility of the initiative.
• Partner Engagement: Throughout the project, the importance of collaboration between CSOs, public authorities, and the private sector was emphasized, with partners continuously engaged in the project’s development.

6. Long-Term Impact and Future Prospects

• The project emphasized that the creation of DKC would not only provide immediate relief but also serve as a long-term solution for community and cultural development in Sisak and Petrinja. The initiative aims to use the current crisis as an opportunity to strengthen the region and establish sustainable social infrastructures for the future. The platform for DKC creation will continue to evolve and involve ongoing partnerships for further development.

In summary, the project achieved several milestones in advocating for, promoting, and securing resources for the establishment of DKC. These included advocacy efforts, needs assessments, crowdfunding success, and the development of strategic partnerships to ensure long-term community and cultural development in the earthquake-affected areas.

The project achieved several important results, with positive impacts on different stakeholders:

Local Community:

1. Involvement in Decision-Making: The community was engaged through various methods:
   • Participating in meetings with representatives from civil, public, and private sectors.
   • Filling out surveys on community needs.
   • Contributing to the crowdfunding campaign by sharing content and making donations.
   • Participating in the online conference, learning about the importance of community centers.
2. Awareness & Engagement: Around 150 citizens actively participated in different activities, including video recordings and online conference attendance. Though there isn''t precise data on the total involvement, the project was designed to directly address local needs, ensuring that the activities were aligned with citizens'' interests and desires. The community remains an ongoing source of input for future activities.

Representatives from Civil, Public, and Private Sectors:

1. Active Participation: They contributed through meetings, donations (both monetary and in-kind for the crowdfunding campaign), and involvement in surveys about the needs of local organizations.

2. Support for Crowdfunding: Their support, both financially and through donations for rewards, was vital to the project’s success, with companies like Aquarius Records, PDV Records, and Nestle participating.

3. Long-Term Partnerships: These actors continue to be crucial partners in responding to the community''s needs and will be integral to future initiatives for establishing community spaces.

Broader Public:

1. Learning About DKC (Community Centers): Through the online conference and shared content, the public became more familiar with the concept of community centers and their role in fostering local engagement and support.

2. Crowdfunding Support: Over 100 citizens made individual donations to the crowdfunding campaign, which garnered considerable public attention and involvement.

Media:

1. Increased Visibility: The media played a key role in boosting the project’s visibility. Both local and national media outlets such as Dnevnik.hr, Gloria, and HRT covered the campaign, educating the public about the importance of DKC and its role in rebuilding communities post-disaster.

2. Educational Impact: Media coverage helped raise awareness about the concept of DKC and its benefits, informing a wider audience about the long-term recovery needs of the Sisačko-moslavačka County.

Networking and Collaboration:

• The project helped establish connections between actors from different sectors (public, civil, private) in Sisak and Petrinja. These connections are expected to continue growing and contribute to ongoing collaboration on local projects and recovery efforts.

Highlighting the Importance of Long-Term Support for Sisačko-Moslavačka County:

• The project helped raise awareness of the ongoing recovery challenges in Sisačko-moslavačka County, especially in terms of community spaces and continuous assistance needed for rebuilding after the earthquake.

Collaboration with UNICEF:

• A significant milestone of the project was UNICEF’s recognition of its value, leading to the donation of two containers—one for Sisak and one for Petrinja. This support underscores the impact and relevance of the initiative and its recognition by major actors in Croatia.

In summary, the project successfully raised awareness about DKC, engaged local communities and stakeholders, and garnered vital support for the recovery of earthquake-affected areas. Through education, crowdfunding, and collaboration, it contributed to both short-term and long-term recovery efforts.