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Description
Aim of the project is to develop NGO contact point cooperation platform in Kekava region, creating interoperable environment for non-governmental sector, improving communication tools, knowledge and leaders competence.
Project implementation will be the next step to develop and strengthen new function of the association in field of NGO interest representation in region. Project will help to solve two capacity needs: 1.Human resources needs, strengthening members as core of association''s team, and implementing the principles of volunteering, as well as attracting new members; 2.Awareness of activities of the NGO contact point in the region, which we will achieve by implementing an active information campaign.
First capacity need will be addressed by providing existing and future members of the association with necessary training for capacity development, for improvement of knowledge, acquisition of basic principles of team building and development of voluntary work movement in the association as NGO contact point. We will also improve knowledge about the types of cooperation in order to create a sustainable NGO cooperation platform in the region.
Second capacity need we will solve with information campaign both in settlements of the region and in various information sources - websites, FaceBook pages, and other sources of information. Thus, the recognition of the NGO contact point and cooperation platform will be improved, attracting region active inhabitants, associations and communities.
Project main results: creation of a team and implementation of the principles of volunteering in work of NGO contact point and recognition of NGO cooperation platform, and attraction of new members to the association, through which their involvement in activities of the NGO contact point will also increase.
Project will primarily involve association members, as well as Kekava region NGO, with special emphasis on communities and opportunities to activate new population groups.
Summary of project results
1. Human Resources Development
Currently, the partnership acting also as NGO contact point operates with one paid staff member and only 2-4 engaged members participating in various processes on a voluntary basis. To enhance the functionality of the contact point, there is a critical need to strengthen and engage existing members in the daily operations of the organization and attract new members. Increasing the membership base would foster a collaborative environment among community residents, associations, and other organizations, creating a platform for sharing information, exchanging experiences, coordinating events, and activities. Enhancing human resource capacity within the partnership is essential to establish volunteer cooperation foundations and implement coordination and communication mechanisms among contact point participants as well as integrating participatory principles into all organizational processes.
2. Communication
Despite active efforts to disseminate information about events on the partnership''s Facebook page, send updates to members and the NGO database, and maintain visibility on the websites of partnership and Kekava Municipality, there remains a segment of the population uninformed about the partnership''s activities. However, to engage as many NGO representatives as possible in the contact point''s activities and the collaboration platform''s establishment/use, an active communication campaign is needed within Kekava Municipality and on social media. This campaign should introduce the establishment, functions, operations, and participation opportunities of the NGO contact point.
3. Collaboration with Local Government
Currently, local decision-makers and other staff of the municipality are informed about the partnership''s work as NGO contact point, addressing issues related to strengthening cooperation between NGOs and local government, project competitions, and supporting community formation. However, ensuring effective NGO representation within the local government and exploring and preparing arguments for issues under consideration requires capacity building within the partnership. This involves engaging members in municipal affairs and reaching a broader audience to collectively explore and discuss issues. Addressing these capacity needs is partially linked to the aforementioned human resource needs.
Capacity building of the team
The activity was organized as two full-day team training session in October 2022. The aim was to enhance collaboration and team-building skills among NGO members, community leaders, and residents (19 participants) resulted in improved mutual understanding, identification of individual strengths, needs, attitudes, and willingness to collaborate.A dynamic team collaboration program was practiced, engaging all participants in shared positive emotions, new experiences, and adventures in an immersive atmosphere. Structured training focused on effective communication, support mechanisms, pro-activity, teamwork, and collaboration skills. Participants had the opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and work in teams, identifying effective communication and collaboration models on-site and for future interactions.
Skills Development for NGO Collaboration
Several training sessions, disscusions and best practice visits were held to enhance skills, knowledge, and collaboration among Kekava district NGOs. There were trainings held on practical approaches to conflict resolution within NGO and NGO collaboration platform development. Two of the training sessions - on community roles, volunteer engagement, and cooperation with local authorities - were run by Norwegian Green College lecturers (project partners).
The topics for discussions were chosen in consultation with NGO representatives based on their interests. In the first session, the discussion focused on the necessity of NGO collaboration with municipal resident councils and insights into the first Kekava Municipality participatory budgeting project. In the second session, practical opportunities for NGOs to attract funding for project implementation were discussed. Two best practice exchange visits were implemented - to Mezinieki and Daugmale communities during which participants gained insight into how communities can enhance their living environments through project funding and voluntary work with minimal material investment. Valuable experiences were shared, such as community engagement strategies from Mezinieki and volunteer recruitment practices from Daugmale.
Communication Campaign
The campaign to promote the NGO collaboration platform''s activities was conducted in two directions: engaging residents of local areas through physical visits and promoting information via the FB page https://www.facebook.com/kekavasnovadanvo/.
Communication materials, including two roll-up banners and three printed infographics, were developed for Ķekava Municipality''s NGO collaboration platform and were used throughout the campaign. A total of 6 events took place from June to July 2023 in six local areas with active participation from local residents. Overall, 50 participants attended these events, resulting in 5 new members (2 community residents and 3 organization members). Information about the NGO platform''s activities was publicly available on the FB page, where updates on current events, infographics about the platform and community actions, and contact information for joining the NGO platform activities were regularly posted. Since the project began, the number of followers has grown significantly. A paid advertising campaign for the NGO contact point FB page (https://www.facebook.com/kekavasnovadanvo/) over one month resulted in an increase of 120 followers.
A new forum section titled "Discussion Forum" has been created on the NGO website to facilitate discussions on topics of interest to residents, accumulating questions and answers for public viewing.
The project implementation was seen as the next step in the development and consolidation of the organization''s new functions in representing NGO interests in the Kekava district.
1. The need for human resources was met by strengthening the existing core team of members and revitalizing the principle of volunteer work, as well as engaging new members in a unified team. The necessary impetus for further transformation within the organization was provided by the project, enabling the development of new competencies such as fostering civic society collaboration and advocating NGO interests within the municipality. Members gained new quality skills to enhance unity among themselves and participate in ongoing processes.
2. Awareness about the NGO contact point’s activities in the region was raised and a collaborative NGO platform was established. This was achieved through active campaigns in local communities and online resources. As a result of these efforts, a new target audience was reached by the organization, leading to an increase in association members, Facebook page followers, and contacts on the NGO contact list.
3. As a result of the project implementation, district localities or resident communities that were considering the need to unite and collaborate were reached by the organization, thereby expanding its influence across the consolidated Kekava district and encouraging participation in a unified platform for information, idea exchange, and experience sharing. The visibility of the NGO collaboration platform has been significantly enhanced by the activities, attracting new stakeholders, especially community residents, and fostering collaborations at various levels: community-to-community, community-to-NGO platform, and NGO platform-to-municipality. Additionally, new community engagement has been activated within the Kekava district, stimulating interest in participating in various NGO processes.
4. Although time is needed for revitalizing and establishing the NGO digital platform as a recognized collaborative environment, initial observations indicated that the developed platform had great potential to strengthen civic society in the district and ensure more effective representation within the municipality. During the project, various proposals and initial tasks were identified in discussions among NGO and community representatives, which collectively should be implemented within the framework of the NGO collaboration platform – for example, recommending to the Kekava municipality to establish a separate project competition for local communities and assisting with the development of its regulations, urging for mutual coordination of event calendars between municipal institutions and major district organizations to prevent significant event overlaps, and also addressing the establishment and operation of an NGO Advisory Council and resident councils in the district.
Summary of bilateral results
Two online workshops were led by Norwegian partners to Latvian NGOs, providing practical information about Norway''s NGO sector - its operations, collaboration, and interactions with local authorities. Various practical methods for engaging local residents in community and organizational activities were discussed, as well as the types of issues communities can address and other practical matters.