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Description
The problem we want to tackle is the lack or low level of tree protection in Polish cities. There is a lack of knowledge about individual tree species and the specifics of their functioning, and there are no tools to enforce penalties for the destruction of trees if standards for their protection have not been introduced by local law. That is why we decided to develop the so-called Green Constitution for Ciechocinek together with residents and officials, and then apply to the city authorities for its introduction by local law or further work. We will use this grant to implement a series of workshops to improve the functioning of our organisation and develop the competences of the team. We will analyse the current situation of our organisation, its potential and resources, and look into those areas that need strengthening. We will use a workshop on participatory strategy development to identify goals and actions for the coming year. We will develop the team''s communication skills so that we can learn how to attract volunteers more effectively and increase the engagement of our beneficiaries. In addition, we will use the funds to purchase the organisation''s office equipment and improve working conditions, and we will also design a space for stakeholder meetings. One person from the team will undergo a CID (Certified Tree Inspector) course with a paid exam. As part of the grant, we are also implementing a nature walk ''Let''s give trees the right'' for residents, during which we will jointly select trees to be given the status of a natural monument. As part of the Green Forum of Ciechocinek initiative, we are creating an Expert Team and will implement social tools to activate residents and other stakeholders in the area of greenery protection and management.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to strengthen the organization, which identified the following areas for improvement: - increasing the professionalization of the team, lack of a developed organizational development strategy, increasing competences in the area of communication and marketing, social participation. - equipping the organization with the tools necessary for effective work. The implementation of the project was also intended to strengthen the local community in its participation in the protection of urban nature and co-create local policies. We wanted to involve local communities in nature protection and indicate the tools they can use and jointly develop recommendations addressed to officials and the mayor regarding changes in urban nature management.
1. We have strengthened the competences of the foundation''s management board members by: - training "Participation process in social projects", during which we learned tools and techniques effective in participatory processes, - training on invasive species, thanks to which 1 member of the organization''s management board obtained a certificate of an invasive species specialist, - a course in writing content for a website, which strengthened the competences of our members in constructing a website, - webinar "How to design parks and biocenotic gardens to increase the diversity of insects?", which increased our competences in the area of knowledge regarding climate change and conscious garden design, - training of the Federation of Polish Arborists, entitled Tree protection in the investment process, during which we increased the knowledge we used during the Ciechocinek Green Forum, - training "Recognizing trees and shrubs in a leafless state". The knowledge acquired during the training will strengthen the skills necessary to perform dendrological inventories and opinions. 2. We have developed a strategic plan and defined operational goals. 3. We equipped the organization with the tools necessary for effective work (purchase of a printer, shelf, table, flipchart). 4. We recruited a volunteer who created a frame for posts informing about project activities, which we used throughout the entire period of activities when publishing content on the FB fanpage and on the website. 5. We hired a volunteer to create a new website for the organization and designed it using the tips and knowledge acquired during the content writing course. 6. Together with the local community, we developed recommendations regarding the management of urban greenery and submitted them to the city mayor. 7. Together with a group of residents, we prepared an application for monument protection of a group of trees, which was submitted to the city council.
Project activities primarily strengthened our organization. Thanks to training, workshops and courses, we have improved our competences in the field of: - creating content for the website, formulating keywords, - how to communicate with recipients, identify target groups and adapt content to them, deal with hate, - developing methods and means necessary to achieve the goals adopted as part of the organization''s mission and vision, determining the organization''s strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and the action program, - natural knowledge (invasive species, design of biocenotic gardens, tree protection during investments), - designing, conducting and evaluating the social participation process. The organization was also strengthened thanks to the purchase of furniture and equipment necessary for efficient operation. Activities organized "outside" - nature walks and the Ciechocinek Green Forum increased the foundation''s recognition and position in the city. We established relationships with other residents and officials responsible for managing urban green areas, thanks to which we were able to expand the number of recipients and try to convince them to our activities (2 articles in the local press, posts on FB). 11 team members within ZFC increased their knowledge about the need to protect urban trees. Already during the first ZFC workshop, we noticed the willingness to introduce changes and understand the problem, and subsequent ones strengthened this attitude.