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Description
The aim of the project is to increase participation of social councils, including councils of seniors, of people with disabilities, youth councils and councils for public benefit in implementation of local policies in the Tychy subregion of the Silesian Province. The project responds to the diagnosed problems and needs, such as: a small number of entities involved in the process of public consultation, lack of social councils in most municipalities in the subregion, insufficient use of the potential of existing councils and a small network of cooperation between councils, NGOs and local governments. In the Tychy subregion there are only two councils of seniors, four youth municipal councils, two councils of people with disabilities and two councils for public benefit. The small number of social councils is due to the lack of grassroots initiatives of youth, seniors, people with disabilities and NGOs as well as resistance of local authorities. The project was prepared together with representatives of social councils and is a response to the needs of local communities. We want to develop the competencies of people acting in social councils, but also to network the councils with local authorities and to create new ones using the potential of social leaders. The direct target group is 75 people, including members of social councils, local government employees, local leaders, and representatives of NGOs. The indirect beneficiaries will be 120 people – inhabitants of the Tychy subregion. Within the project we will conduct training for all project participants. We will initiate the creation of two new councils or social organisations, we will develop and implement 8 initiatives increasing the participation of residents. We will carry out world cafe sessions in 4 municipalities. We will initiate and strengthen cooperation between existing and new councils, NGOs and local governments.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to increase the participation of councils (seniors, disabled people, youth, public benefit councils) in the implementation of local policies in the Tychy subregion. Its aim was to strengthen the competences of council members, network them with the local government and non-governmental organizations, and create new councils based on the potential of the leaders. Design
was a response to identified problems and needs, which included, among others: a small number of entities participating in the social consultation process, the lack of councils in most municipalities, insufficient use of the potential of existing councils and a weak network of cooperation between councils, organizations in the region and the local government.
As part of the planned activities, people participating in the project took part in a training series, the aim of which was:
integration of participants, increasing their social and leadership competences and team building. In addition, they took part in workshops titled: "Participation Academy", where they learned about the tools of participation and shaping social policy by residents, they also learned about the civic budget, local initiative, participation tools, the process of public consultations and the principles of operation as well as the process of registering associations and councils.
Workshops on the implementation of initiatives were also held, where participants learned the principles of creating projects and their sources
financing. Therefore, we implemented 9 initiatives in accordance with the topics related to the discussed problems and developed concepts for solving them, in particular with the social and civic activation of residents and including them in the democratic process.
We organized workshops in the World Cafe formula in each of the 4 communes covered by the project. The aim of this activity was to establish a dialogue and the opportunity to discuss problems with the activity and social participation of residents with representatives of local governments.
We also conducted training entitled: "Building a partnership", the aim of which was to develop a model of cooperation with local NGOs, councils and the local government and to learn tools for effective communication with residents.
As part of institutional development, we organized internal training for 10 employees in the area of fundraising and developed a fundraising strategy for our organization.
The beneficiaries of the project were: representatives of existing councils (seniors, public benefit, youth, for people with disabilities), representatives of non-governmental organizations, local government employees and councilors, active residents, leaders, people belonging to groups potentially forming councils and residents of the Tychy subregion.
Representatives of NGOs, councils and local leaders received training in social participation. During the project, 169 people used at least 1 form of support. The workshops increased the participants'' knowledge of social and civic participation and their skills in initiating social activities. Joint meetings had an impact on integration, which was useful in generating ideas and implementing 9 initiatives that brought groups together. Two project participants founded 2 registration organizations. We have established 6 partnerships with the participation of councils, NGOs and/or local governments.
As a result of World Cafe workshops and meetings, we consulted 10 documents on which participants submitted comments and recommendations. In connection with the implementation of the project, we have created a fanpage serving civil society, informing about current progress in the project, as well as informing about local actions and events. Project participants were eager to get involved in the initiatives implemented as part of the project and initiated independent actions for residents. Thanks to the skills and knowledge acquired during the project, they obtained grants for their implementation.