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Description
We will use this grant to strengthen the capacity of our organisation and build its image in the local community. We operate in the Mazury region, in an environment of small rural communities. In this area, in 17 municipalities there are about 130 registered organisations, but about 50 of them are active. As part of the project we will create a website for our organisation, purchase computers and a printer for the office and for field work. We will carry out a series of online training sessions on the use of social media and the development of a fundrising strategy. We will run open meetings for residents to collect data for a diagnosis of community needs in the context of environmental protection. We will hold a conference combined with workshops for NGOs and local authorities on climate change and its consequences. During the conference, good practice solutions to problems resulting from climate change will be presented. In the workshop part, the participants will develop a guidebook on how to consult on investment plans. Local governments and NGOs will share their knowledge on how they can cooperate in conducting such consultations. We will show our organisation as a reliable partner building dialogue between NGOs and local governments on climate change. The descriptions of good practices will be made available on our website.
Summary of project results
The organization needed a professional website that would enable effective communication activities and build a cooperation network. Before implementing the project, we used a Facebook profile, but its possibilities are limited. We were unable to employ a person to operate the website and conduct communication activities based on modern technologies. Financing from the grant was to help prepare such a website and use the services of a communication/promotional specialist. We wanted to strengthen the image and positive perception of the organization, as well as reach a wider group of recipients. We lacked a basic technical device, which is a computer that would ensure the efficient operation of the organization in technical and communication terms. The challenge was to build technical and organizational potential, which we will use in subsequent planned activities and development of the organization. We lacked training for external experts who would help develop basic regulations for the organization''s operation with the participation of staff and implement the use of social media in the organization. Another challenge was to establish and strengthen cooperation with other NGOs, as well as public and economic sector entities. All this was intended to generate data for developing an area development strategy for 17 communes. We want to focus our activities on projects related to the discussion on environmental and climate change. we lacked the potential and resources to start such a discussion together with our partners. We needed support for an event that would allow it to start and at the same time present the organization''s activities, people involved in its activities, goals, mission and provide an opportunity to build a network of cooperation for the coming years and in subsequent projects. The challenge was to skillfully provide our partners with knowledge in an area that was very important to us in our planned activities. This scope is related to mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
As a result of the grant implementation, we first of all established contact with local non-governmental organizations and local government. We took the first joint actions and the Association acquired partners to work on the development strategy and obtaining funds for subsequent projects. 17 communes adopted resolutions on joining the association. 3 non-governmental organizations also became our members, and we met with a dozen or so of them and talked about the needs and plans that we could implement together. The greatest success is establishing a partnership and getting to know each other''s needs, expectations and collecting data to prepare a SWOT analysis. This is very important because from the very beginning our intention was to work in partnership. We conducted online training on the use of Facebook in organizational activities and in the field of fundraising. We organized a conference dedicated to providing knowledge and discussing climate change. We strengthened our image-building activities by creating a website and employing a communication professional. Using the website, we managed to reach the recipients of our activities. We informed about meetings and conferences, and also used the online form to register for the conference, which greatly simplified organizational matters. We have equipped the office with a computer. We conducted 9 consultation and information meetings with residents of Masurian communes, these were stationary meetings attended by residents (representatives of various sectors). During the meetings, we collected information about resources and the most important problems, directions of changes, and needs in the context of the sustainable use of natural resources. Thanks to the meetings, we met the inhabitants of the communes and established direct contact. We met the non-governmental organizations that took part in the meetings, learned about their needs, the activities they implement and action plans that we could implement together.
We held a two-day conference entitled: "Climate change - globally and locally", in which 33 people participated. Experts provided knowledge about climate change and threats to the climate to the conference participants. In the workshop part, we worked on selecting effective methods of consulting municipal investments in our communes, and we wrote down the needs in terms of training topics in the field of the natural environment. We organized a meeting with non-governmental organizations under the slogan "Strategic baking", we discussed issues related to the diagnosis of the area, its resources, development needs, with particular emphasis on the perspective and needs of non-governmental organizations. 30 people attended the meeting. Nine information and consultation meetings were held with the participation of 130 people. During the meetings, we collected information to prepare a diagnosis of the area as well as development needs and courses of action. The information will be used to prepare the Local Development Strategy covering 17 communes. We undertook all the initiatives mentioned above in cooperation with other social organizations such as associations, foundations, rural women''s groups, volunteer fire brigades, and informal groups. As part of all activities, we informed participants about them using our website, Facebook and Instagram profiles. We have prepared assumptions for the fundraising strategy and the organization''s development plan, which is why we are strengthening our management procedures. 7 people participated in online training for staff. The acquired knowledge strengthens the competences of the organization''s staff and provides practical skills. The greatest and long-term benefits for us are finding and establishing contact with non-governmental organizations operating in our area and starting cooperation that prepares us to raise funds and implement partnership projects. We maintain constant contact with everyone and invite you to participate in our activities.