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Description
The aim of the project “Train of democracy” is to represent interests of citizens by proposing changes of decisions of Riga Municipality regarding the local planning of Rail Baltica track crossings. Has the "train" who could represent our citizens'' interests already gone? How to reach a compromise, respecting the framework of the Rail Baltica national project and balancing the interests of the municipal residents? The “Train of Democracy” will unite the points of view of experts, test aspects of decision-making and proportionality of them, communicate the impact what the important and complex Rail Baltica project makes on the quality of lives, outdoor space, housing and mobility possibilities of Riga municipal residents.
Summary of project results
The action project “Train of democracy” was based on the need to represent interests of local residents in decisions of Riga Municipality regarding the local planning of important and complex Rail Baltica track crossings as well as contribute to more qualitative process of public consultations with society as in Latvia, it often means "informing the public", because at that point all decisions have already been taken.
The project “Train of Democracy” gathered experts'' opinion, provided participation in decision-making proceses in Riga municipality, encouraged participation of local residents impacted by the new train as well as actively communicated the impact of this project to quality of lives, outdoor space, housing and mobility possibilities in the respective area of Riga. The project also included the production of cartoons on the challenges of civic participation, as well as creation of four videos with the opinions of neighbourhood residents and research results.
The organization was able to defend the interests of the residents of the neighbourhood, achieving more favourable changes in the plans for the construction of Rail Baltica as well as remarkably promoted idea of active participation among local residents living in the are impacted by the new railway. As a result of the project activities, the Riga Municipality decided to change the design for the Imanta-Zolitūde road link from a viaduct to a tunnel, which is much more in the interests of the residents. With this project, the organisation has set a precedent for a new level of quality and intensity of advocacy activities, which has not been the case for neighbourhood associations in Riga so far.