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Description
We want to address the lack of spaces for meetings and integration in over half of the villages of the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. Existence of a space like that is important for invigorating social and civic life of the village. According to our research, the majority of operating spaces is limited to hosting singular events. They often lack a coordinator that could maintain a regular schedule of events and a varied, interesting offer. As part of our project, we will recruit five community centers and support them in transforming into a cultural animation centers. The chosen spaces will have a task of engaging the local population, as well as the local government, into the project. We will conduct workshops on the role of a community centers, the evaluation of the local community and potential sources of financing for community center operations. We will also organize workshops on cultural animation and crafts that can be employed when working with children and adults. Together with the selected community centers we will develop long-term plans for the years ahead, including development of the center and its offer, financing, and community engagement. As part of the project, we will finance completion of projects designed by each of the community centers.
Summary of project results
We responded to the problem of the lack of functioning meeting and integration places, which affects nearly half of the villages in the Warmińsko-Mazurskie Voivodeship. The presence of such places is crucial for fostering and stimulating social life in rural areas. According to our research, the activities of most of the existing community centers were limited to occasional events. These places often lacked a coordinator to ensure regular activities and offerings.As part of our project, we recruited five community centers in Ostróda County, which we supported to become vibrant animation centers. The selected community centers were tasked with engaging the local residents and local governments in the project. We conducted training on the role of community centers, local environmental diagnostics, and sources of funding for such centers. Workshops on animation and development activities, as well as handicraft techniques for children and adults, were organized. Together with the selected community centers, we created long-term plans for their development, including expanding their offerings, seeking funding, and involving the local community. As part of the project, we also financed the implementation of projects devised with the support of each community center.The community centers chosen for the project changed their operating model to a participatory one and prepared long-term action plans. Additionally, their management approach changed – decisions concerning these meeting places for all residents are now consulted and made collectively.
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