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Description
Let''s light the spark for inclusion together! (LSIT) deals with the social exclusion of children with disabilities/their parents and persons with disabilities from activities in social gardens and socio-political life in Pula and Vukovar. Other citizens and CSO''s are also excluded from the decision-making process. The result is unjust communities with no systematic support for the vulnerable where prejudice prevails. The main goal of the project is to attain a long-term improvement of quality of life, achieve equality and inclusion of the vulnerable and enable civic participation in Pula and Vukovar. To achieve it, it is necessary to advocate it through a public campaign (SC1) – the development of guidelines for inclusive and participatory decision-making and a documentary for the promotion of guidelines which will premiere at the panel discussions with key figures from the two cities present. It is necessary to show that what we are advocating is possible - to carry out inclusion and participation in the gardens and communities in Pula and Vukovar (SC 2), through a program of garden design - a base for a new method for inclusive and participatory planning of social gardens and its application in practice, volunteer actions and inclusive gardening workshops. All partners contribute to the goals and the promotion of key results, especially the method and guidelines which, being based on universal design, suitable for upgrading/reproducing and application to the benefit of other communities, groups and topics, have a strong multiplier effect. LSIT builds active citizens, empowers vulnerable groups and civil society, fosters inclusion and volunteerism and lays the groundwork for participatory democracy - that is why it deserves to be supported.
Summary of project results
The project addressed the social exclusion of vulnerable groups, particularly children with developmental difficulties (DTR), their parents, and people with disabilities (OSI) in Pula and Vukovar. These groups were largely excluded from community activities and political decision-making. The project identified a lack of democratic culture, particularly at the local level, where decisions were made without the input of those directly affected. This led to inadequate policies and support for these vulnerable populations.
The project also tackled broader issues of discrimination, social injustice, and the lack of social sensitivity within the community. Civil society organizations (CSOs) supporting these groups struggled to advocate for systemic changes due to limited resources. Additionally, the general population''s distrust of political processes and prejudice against OSI and DTR further isolated these groups.
To address these challenges, the project implemented advocacy campaigns promoting equality and inclusion based on universal design principles. It also demonstrated the feasibility of inclusion through practical activities in community gardens and aimed to foster greater civic participation and democracy in Pula and Vukovar. The ultimate goal was to improve the quality of life and achieve long-term equality and inclusion for these vulnerable groups.
The project successfully enhanced awareness raising and advocacy activities for inclusive practices, improved collaboration between civil society and public sectors, and provided practical tools and methods for better inclusion and participation in community and public life. It involved several activities aimed at promoting equality and inclusion for people with disabilities and children with developmental difficulties in Pula and Vukovar, based on universal design principles:
- Two awareness raising campaigns about universal design and inclusion were organized. These included a lecture on universal design delivered via Zoom, attended by 83 participants from various sectors including NGOs, public administration, and educational institutions. The event was widely publicized through press releases, social media, and other channels. It led to increased understanding of universal design and a greater willingness among NGOs and public officials to advocate for inclusive practices.
- Two public events titled "Walk in My Shoes" were held to raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities. These events in Pula and Vukovar were attended by around 130 participants and were well-covered in the media. They contributed to increased participation of people with disabilities and their families in advocacy efforts and decision-making.
- A short film titled "Za(VRT)imo za inkluziju zajedno!" was produced to promote the rights of people with disabilities and inclusive decision-making. The film, which includes versions adapted for different needs, documents project activities and was shown at public events in Pula and Vukovar.
- Guidelines for inclusive and participatory decision-making aimed to improve decision-making processes affecting people with disabilities and their families were created and distributed in various accessible formats. The guidelines received support from the Ombudswoman. Some of the guidelines'' reccomendations were adopted by local governments, such as establishing committees to address disability issues.
- Two events were organized to discuss improving policies for people with disabilities. These events, attended by 61 participants and 7 speakers, provided a platform for sharing best practices and discussing inclusive policies. They also resulted in increased support for inclusive decision-making guidelines.
- Two meetings with decision-makers in Pula and Vukovar were held to discuss collaboration on disability issues and ensure the inclusion of vulnerable groups in decision-making processes. These meetings led to commitments from local governments to address accessibility and inclusion more effectively.
- A new method for inclusive and participatory planning of community gardens was developed and tested. This method aims to integrate people with disabilities and children with developmental difficulties into community garden projects, demonstrating practical application of inclusive practices.
In order to equip the implementing organizations with skills and knowledge needed to implement the project and achieve results, several organizational development activities took place during the course of the project.
Communication training aiming to enhance communication skills was provided to the project consortium, focusing on public and institutional communication, comprasing the topcs of campaign advocacy, storytelling, and creating digital content for social media. Besides that, training on community gardening using permaculture principles was conducted. The staff who manage a community garden in Pula, received practical training on sustainable gardening practices. This included composting and permaculture planting techniques through three workshops. The training also enabled these staff members to effectively lead inclusive gardening workshops for children, improving their skills in both gardening and working with vulnerable groups. Additional training was provided on working with vulnerable groups, particularly individuals with disabilities and children with developmental difficulties. Two sessions were held where staff learned from personal experiences shared by people with disabilities and their families. These sessions covered effective approaches to working with these groups and were led by representatives from relevant organizations. And finally, a study tour was organized to connect eight NGOs involved in community gardens and inclusion across various cities. This tour established a new informal network aimed at promoting collaboration and shared activities focused on inclusion. It included visits to different organizations, showcasing experiences in advocacy and inclusive planning for community gardens.
The project achieved significant results, benefiting various vulnerable groups, particularly people with disabilities, children with developmental difficulties, their parents, and the broader community in Pula and Vukovar.
The main outcomes included the publication of guidelines for inclusive and participatory decision-making and the development of methods for planning community gardens in a way that involves these groups. These guidelines and methods were successfully applied in practice, raising awareness among the general public and the project participants about the needs of these vulnerable groups and the importance of their involvement in community life.
The project empowered people with disabilities, children with developmental difficulties, and their parents by enabling them to participate equally in all project activities, in line with the principles of universal design. This participation led to improved social inclusion, enhanced quality of life, and strengthened advocacy skills for these groups. Specifically, the project facilitated their involvement in the design and maintenance of community gardens, as well as in advocacy campaigns in Pula and Vukovar.
The introduction of inclusive elements in the community gardens, such as sensory gardens and accessible pathways, ensured that these vulnerable groups could continue to participate in garden activities in the future. Additionally, the project led to systemic changes, with decision-makers in Pula and Vukovar adopting recommendations from the project''s guidelines. These changes included the establishment of a Commission for Persons with Disabilities in Pula and the development of a strategy for equal opportunities for people with disabilities in Vukovar.
The project also had a broader impact on the regions of Istria and Vukovar-Srijem County. In Istria, the local government announced the creation of a Commission for Persons with Disabilities, while Vukovar-Srijem County planned to develop a strategy for improving the rights of people with disabilities. The project’s success in advocating for these systemic changes demonstrates its long-term positive impact on the targeted beneficiaries, fostering greater equality, improved quality of life, and enhanced civic participation in these communities.
Summary of bilateral results
The project benefited significantly from having the University of Akureyri, Iceland, as a donor partner. Their expertise, particularly through a lecture by Dr. Sigrun Kristin Jonasdottir on the theory and practice of universal design, was crucial for the project’s implementation. The lecture provided a theoretical framework and practical examples of inclusive practices, which guided the planning and execution of all project activities. This ensured that the project adhered to the principles of universal design, enabling inclusive and participatory processes in decision-making and the planning of community gardens in Pula and Vukovar.The main results at the bilateral level included the successful integration of universal design concepts into the project, which allowed for the creation of inclusive public spaces and activities that could be accessed and understood by a diverse group of people, regardless of their abilities. This partnership also fostered a stronger relationship between Iceland and Croatia, contributing to bilateral trust and cooperation. The knowledge shared by the Icelandic partner had a lasting impact on the project, influencing not only the initial stages but the entire implementation period. Although there are currently no plans to continue bilateral cooperation, the high quality of collaboration and the positive relationship established during the project mean that future partnerships with the University of Akureyri are certainly a possibility.