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Description
In recent years, the association Bauska Old Town initiated important discussions and public participation to advocate Bauska Old Town community in following: the Bauska Bypass, preservation of cultural heritage and quality of life in the Neighborhood. There have been implemented several projects, community has been invited to vote on the participatory initiative platform manabalss.lv as well as participate in seminars and discussions with experts, decision-makers and the public.
When evaluating achieved results and being aware of overall fatigue of the association, it is agreed between the members of the NGO that there is a lack of capacity in both human and financial resources. Although the activities of the association are generally accepted and there are good understanding of the aims, public support and participation in the activities organized by the association has often been insufficient, which indicates the need to review the organization''s tasks, working methods and develop networks for knowledge and experience exchange in local and national levels. Within the project the association aims to improve it''s business model in accordance with the current needs of the Bauska Old Town community, develop new services, ensuring financial independence, becoming an important and significant public participation platform and business partner of collaborative city.
It is foreseen to implement wide public survey and organize workshops to develop mid-term action plan to strengthen the association and to provide new services for the community. For the networking and to enhance the dialogue, team building and masterclasses in community work will be provided to promote further cooperation initiatives.
Special events are dedicated-The Kitchen of Democracy-Food for Thought, Guided tours and Picnics in the Neighbourhood. To promote more powerful public participation the memorandum for Community center in Bauska region will be signed.
Summary of project results
Thanks to activities, lecturers, publications, new members have been involved in the project, existing members have overcome their routines and been inspired. With active participation, a clear action plan has been developed, broken down areas of responsibility for new works. The board has been re-elected. Its number of members has expanded from 3 to 7.
The video for “Heart of Old Town” has generated awareness and reached more than 14 thousand audiences that had so far failed the association. Through this video, citizens starting to follow the Society''s Facebook page have succeeded in attracting (like, share) and found out about civil activities, following ideas, works being carried out with the will of citizens active and responsible.
The project has developed an association logo, an improved website and developed visual identity guidelines.
The association also conducted a survey of the residents of Bauska municipality, drawing up and distributing a questionnaire. In the survey, citizens expressed their desire to develop a new cultural site in the old city of Bauska, including the promotion of the activities of the association on social networks. The survey concludes that residents appreciate the development of Bauska''s old town.
In addition to the questionnaires, in-depth interviews were conducted with long-term residents of the old city of Bauska, an organised workshop called “Ideas Fitness for the Development of the Society” to identify as differing views as possible that were helpful in
The project coordinator added at the end of the project: “The project has made a direct contribution to the establishment of a Community centre in Bauska. The Community Centre is planned as an open space for citizens'' initiatives. The activities of the Community House will contribute to a stronger, more sustainable and collaborative, inclusive community. The vulnerability of potentially or existing disadvantaged social groups will be reduced by creating an approach to joint activities within the community, involving and integrating them. Reducing social tensions and depression in society, improving social networking opportunities for people of different ages and needs, and improving the living conditions of people living in the city."