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Description
The system of support and provision of services in the community has been destabilized by the longevity of the crisis, with members of vulnerable groups being particularly affected. At the same time, the activation of citizens in solidarity with the needs of the community is growing. The change of urban dynamics and refocusing of the way of life towards the area of urban settlements is underway. In response to these 3 processes, the project intends to strengthen the capacity of the local community to provide services to vulnerable groups by developing a model of cooperation between citizens and civil society organizations with a focus on communities in individual neighborhoods. Four (4)Community Centers are being established in 3 city districts within the existing infrastructure of project partners, through which networking of CSOs and activation of citizens will strengthen the support system for providing services to vulnerable groups (LGBTIQA + people, youth, elderly). The inclusion of a partner organization from Norway in the consortium enables the application of foreign positive examples of community work practices by Croatian organizations. The development of the Community Centers model, with the involvement of CSOs and the activation of volunteers, will enable replication and expansion of the program of work with vulnerable groups to a minimum of 8 local committees within 3 covered city districts, ensuring sustainability by involving city authorities. The next expansion of the Network will be planned in the area of Brezovica.
Summary of project results
The project "Neigborhood community centres" was designed to address several challenges arising from the negative impacts of the pandemic and the earthquake on the social support system and community services. These challenges included damage to both state and municipal infrastructure caused by the earthquake and the disruption of programs for end-users. The civil society sector faced significant difficulties due to epidemiological measures, which hindered direct work with clients and stakeholders, coupled with reduced income and lack of administrative support. Citizens created ad hoc crisis initiatives that the overburdened sector could not adequately support. As a result, the availability of community programs for end-users diminished, and the reduction in social interaction opportunities, especially among vulnerable groups, led to increased social isolation.
The consortium consisting of three local organizations - The Space of Gender and Media Vulture ’K-zona’, the Foundation "Zajednički Put", and Association Vestigium - therefore identified the strengthening of local community capacities as a key issue. This involved developing models of collaboration between citizens and civil society organizations, with a particular focus on neighborhood communities. Vulnerable groups, including LGBTIQ individuals, particularly youth and the elderly, as well as migrants and those in lower socio-economic conditions, were especially targeted by the project to enhance support and service delivery.
The project aimed to strengthen community support through various activities and collaborations. It began by identifying and connecting with stakeholders through meetings with civil society organizations (CSOs) and local boards. These discussions led to new partnerships and opportunities for future growth. For example, K-zona engaged with several CSOs, leading to new collaborations and ongoing initiatives, while Vestigium also worked with CSOs and local boards to foster connections and plan joint projects.
Education was a major focus of the project. K-zona organized workshops on supporting LGBT+ individuals and provided training to CSO representatives to improve their work with vulnerable groups. The Foundation "Zajednički Put" offered training for working with older adults, involving various organizations and participants in workshops to support this group.
To address community needs, the project organized open meetings with potential beneficiaries to design programs for community centers. These programs aimed to support vulnerable groups, including older adults and marginalized communities. The project also created a Solidarity Map integrated into Google Maps to help users locate community organizations and initiatives in specific neighborhoods. This map covered areas such as social centers, arts and culture, parenting, health, and support for vulnerable groups. Then the project partners developed plans for operating community centers, focusing on managing space and activities. This involved working with local boards and gathering feedback from civil society groups. Regular meetings between community centers ensured smooth operations, with volunteers receiving training and support to effectively run programs. Guidelines were established for collaboration between centers, setting responsibilities and managing space efficiently.
The project organized various events, including open-air activities, workshops, and community gatherings featuring music, creative workshops, and activities for older adults like gardening, painting, and film screenings. Special events were also held to support LGBT+ individuals in collaboration with relevant organizations. The project included 1891 persons out of which 937 vulnenrable persons.
In addition to working directly with beneficiaries, the project aimed to enhance the organizational capacity of partnering groups. This included thematic practice exchanges and sessions on preventing burnout. K-zona received expert supervision and psychological counseling, while Vestigium held a strategic planning workshop to define their vision and mission.
A study trip to a music camp in Norway allowed staff from K-zona and Zajednički put to learn about organizing such events. They used this knowledge to create a similar camp in Croatia, featuring choir and DJ workshops. The project also focused on sustainability, including a workshop on applying for EU funding. This helped Vestigium and Zajednički put, and additional funding from the Alliance for Gender Equality in Europe will support future sustainability efforts starting in 2024.
The project achieved significant results, benefiting various groups through its activities and outcomes. Organizations managing community centers conducted need assessments among their users and nearby organizations. This led to these organizations being encouraged to use community center spaces for their activities, strengthening connections between civil society organizations (CSOs) and community centers.
Local board representatives were connected with CSO representatives interested in running programs in their spaces. They were also informed about user needs to facilitate better space utilization. The recommendations for space management have helped in sharing this knowledge with a wider audience.
During the project, vulnerable groups had increased access to programs tailored to their needs. The community centers Šesnaestica and Vestigium, improved with project funding, will continue to offer enhanced services. Local boards showed strong interest in expanding programs in their spaces and welcomed citizen initiatives that helped identify community needs and allowed them to organize activities with logistical support.
CSO representatives gained deeper knowledge about the specific needs of LGBT+ individuals and older adults, enhancing their sensitivity and adaptability when working with these vulnerable groups. They can now share this knowledge, such as insights on age-related physical and cognitive changes and minority stress among LGBTIQ individuals, with others in their organizations.
The project also established collaborations with numerous CSOs and local board representatives, formalizing partnerships with 12 organizations that will continue in the consortium’s community centers.
Citizens interested in active community involvement participated in the project as volunteers and in educational activities focused on working with vulnerable groups. This increased their capacities and engagement.
The availability of programs for older adults and LGBT+ individuals was improved, with more activities designed to meet their needs. The project’s educational activities enhanced the capacity of CSO representatives to design, organize, and implement programs for these groups, and strengthened infrastructure support through networking with community centers and local board representatives.
Through working meetings, brainstorming, and consultations, local board representatives received training to organize community content and services, especially for vulnerable groups.
Overall, the general population in the neighborhoods where local boards operate will benefit from an increased number of community programs and a greater focus on programs for vulnerable groups.
Summary of bilateral results
The project greatly benefited from its partnership with Jeunesses Musicales (JM) Norway, enhancing K-zona’s ability to run music programs for the queer community and creating a safe space for individuals who typically avoid traditional technical workshops due to discrimination. This collaboration allowed K-zona to learn effective methods for working with these groups, develop new program models, and gain hands-on experience. Employees Gabriela Ivanov and Emina Herman visited Norway, where they gained insights into working with vulnerable groups and program implementation.Key outcomes of this bilateral partnership include the development of the Girl Rock Camp program in Croatia. This was achieved through choir singing workshops in spring 2023 and DJ workshops in October 2023. The success of these events was due to the guidance and knowledge exchange with Norwegian partners, who provided valuable consultations throughout the project. The study trip to Norway allowed K-zona and the Foundation “Zajednički Put” to participate in LOUD workshops, gaining skills to organize similar events in Croatia.Despite a planned study visit from the Norwegian partner being postponed due to staffing constraints at K-zona, the collaboration led to the creation of LOUD! HR workshops in early 2024. These workshops, an expansion of the Girl Rock Camp pilot, included components such as organizing socio-cultural events, handling technical equipment, choir singing, VJ workshops, DJ workshops, and DIY visual promotion. The LOUD! HR program aimed to boost the capacities of feminist and queer organizations and their volunteers, enabling them to develop programs for the LGBTIQ+ community. A total of 46 participants showcased their skills at the 18th Vox Feminae Festival.K-zona and JM Norway continue to stay in touch through emails and social media, with plans to extend the LOUD! HR program into 2025.