Description
The project "My place in community" lasts 18 months, run by NGO Zora (Međimurje county), K-Zona (City of Zagreb) and Centre for sustainable development (Split-Dalmatian county). The project responds to the priority needs of citizens related to social inequality, gender inequality and social justice in our communities – determined by research. NGOs with raised capacities will implement 3 advocacy campaigns with citizens. In addition to education, campaigns and empowerment, web/mobile application will be developed in order to optimize the involvement of citizens, monitoring the activities of local decision makers and contribute to the creation of an active local community based on social equality, social justice and good management where every citizen, especially socially excluded citizen and other in risk of poverty can achieve social and human rights. Target groups are people exposed to risk of poverty, government staff in public administration, young adults, minorities and the unemployed.
Summary of project results
The main reason behind the development of this project is the need to examine the realistic needs/issues and mapping out the priority needs of citizens in the areas of Međimurje County, the Imotski frontier region and Trešnjevka municipality (Zagreb). The wants and needs of those citizens are often presupposed. Therefore, the goal of the project was to detect, determine and address the real issues through an advocating campaign that used innovative tools and public actions. The needs/issues of citizens were examined through research and 44 public actions, with 50 participating volunteers and 3157 advocacy postcards gathered/sent to the appropriate institutions and local self-government units. The results were presented in eight separate instances, fourteen meetings were held (in which 30 decision makers were advocated), three press conferences and meetings with 10 organisations. 8350 citizens directly participated in the campaign, regardless of whether they were civilians or members of local self-government units; general transparency and quality media coverage was accomplished, and a database of the citizens' real needs was formed. Through the use of innovative advocacy tools, citizens grew stronger and got involved; the activities of local decision makers were monitored and contribution was made to the creation of an active local community, founded on the principles of social equality, social justice and good management, in which every citizen (especially those who are socially excluded and at risk of poverty) can develop skills and gather knowledge on how to achieve their social and human rights. The database of the examined and advocated issues/needs serves as a basis for social actions, interventions and the creation of programs and policies for the whole community.
Summary of bilateral results