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Description
The project "Civic steps towards a stronger community" proposed by CeRe: The Resource Center for public participation in partnership with Civica Association responds to the need of increasing the power and capacity of civic organizations and groups aiming at holding public administration accountable on different topics: social services, public space, environment, health, education, etc. Involvement in the governance process is a difficult process, which requires strong civic actors, and it’s even more necessary when having a high level of opacity in the public authorities. The project will increase the advocacy capacity of 10 organizations and civic groups and will put on the agenda of 10 authorities issues of public interest through advocacy actions carried out by the beneficiary organizations and groups, with the support of CeRe and Civica. Also, the partner will acquire the ability and practical experience to provide structured support in civic and advocacy actions. At the same time, through the project beneficiaries will be offered opportunities for coalition with other organizations and civic groups that work to solve similar problems. Finally, the 10 civic organizations and groups will have increased advocacy skills, community mobilization skills and stronger relationships with community members, will conduct 10 advocacy campaigns and community organization. Approximately 1,000 citizens and 10 public authorities will be involved in carrying out at least 30 advocacy actions.
Summary of project results
The project responded to the need of increasing the power and capacity of civic organizations and groups aiming at holding public administration accountable on different topics.
The project aimed to increase the advocacy capacity of 10 NGOs/civic groups, to put on the agenda of the authorities 10 issues of public interest through advocacy actions carried out by the beneficiaries, with the support of CeRe and partner’s project Civica. CIVICA partner developed capacity to provide structured advocacy support. The partener’s organizations worked with 14 NGOs/civic groups, 10 of them have consistently participated and demonstrated, through their campaigns, an increase in advocacy capacity. This was achieved through 6 training sessions, 254 mentoring sessions and 127 advocacy actions (30 events organized in communities, 23 participations in consultations with public authorities and 74 addresses sent). The 10 groups constantly implicated in the projects are: For playgrounds and green spaces in Grozavesti; 16 February Group, Civis Mogosoaia, Avantgarden-Bartolomeu Association, RiseOut, Horpaz Civic Assoc., A.P.T.A, DizAbil.Eu Group, Ghica Voda Civic Group, Caravan with doctors. 54 people from these groups participated in training sessions, mentoring, meetings with public authorities, etc. The total number of unique beneficiaries of the project is 1784 representing members of the civic groups and people from the communities of the mentored groups who participated in the advocacy campaigns carried out in the project. In addition, an advocacy manual and a
community mobilization guide were published and a civic initiative fair was organized in Iasi.
The impact of the project can be summarized as follows: 10/10 groups have increased their advocacy capacity; 16 issues of public interest have been put on the agenda of the authorities, 10 of which have been solved; 10/10 organizations are still active at the time of reporting; the CIVICA Association has acquired the capacity to provide assistance in advocacy, as proof being the program started after the end of the project.