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Description
The project will address the main obstacles to: a) Citizen participation in the public sphere, b) their effective involvement in the public debate and c) their substantial contribution to the decision-making processes. The main barriers to the above are lack of time and lack of knowledge. These problems will be addressed by providing training and information in the form of digital content (animated videos and e-booklets) which will deliver complex and multilevel information in an easily assimilable format and in the shortest possible time. For citizens already involved in public consultation, the project will create an infrastructure which will provide them with specialized knowledge in order to enhance their ability to engage in the public discussion and strengthen their effective intervention in the decision-making process. In addition, the project will launch and complete a campaign involving potential volunteers with the view to transfer know-how in the areas of volunteering with the view to empower them to undertake their own initiatives in the area of volunteerism. Upon completion of the project, forty (40) people from an informal group of active citizens will have been trained and will be able to take the next step in participating in the public sphere, ten (10) people will strengthen their presence in the deliberation area and twenty ( 20) people will be able to undertake voluntary initiatives. The project will be implemented by the non-profit “SOCIETY for DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION”.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address the lack of citizen engagement in municipal affairs and the limited awareness of volunteering opportunities within local communities. It sought to empower citizens with the knowledge and tools necessary to participate in public decision-making, understand municipal budgets, and become active volunteers. Additionally, the project aimed to bridge the digital divide by providing information to those less familiar with technology, ensuring broader participation.
The project developed an IT platform that provides citizens with summarized information on their municipality’s annual budget, enabling them to participate more effectively in public debates, such as budget votes. It also trained 72 citizens on volunteering and public participation, raising awareness of the benefits of engaging in local community affairs. The project produced two promotional videos on volunteering and public participation, and five animated videos explaining citizens'' rights in municipal transactions. These videos were widely promoted through digital marketing. Additionally, 1,500 leaflets were distributed, targeting those less familiar with technology, and seven digital marketing campaigns were conducted to further raise awareness on the topics.
The project successfully informed and empowered 72 citizens, equipping them with the knowledge to engage in municipal decision-making and participate in their local communities as volunteers. Through the IT platform, citizens gained better understanding and participation in budget-related discussions. The digital content, including videos and leaflets, reached a wide audience, raising awareness of citizens'' rights and the benefits of volunteering. The project’s use of digital marketing campaigns ensured that its message reached diverse groups, particularly those who may not typically engage with such topics.