Description
The direct goal of the project is to educate NGOs and representatives of minorities about aspects of democracy and political participation and to promote their participation to become more politically active in their local governments by attracting society`s attention and activating problem issues, thus strengthening the capacity of the regional organisations. To contribute to the strengthening of the NGOs protecting the interests of people with disabilities, to raise the topicality of obtaining a citizenship among non-citizens with disabilities and to participate in social and political processes, the project envisages organising regional forums, training representatives of the regional NGOs, implementing innovative initiatives in the regions, and the participation of the regional NGOs in decision making processes on a local level. The project activities aim at society democratization and advocacy of interests, including forming a positive image of minority people with disabilities.
Summary of project results
This project “United in the Society” focused on needs of persons with disabilities and specifically on those who do not hold citizenship of Latvia. Main purpose of the project was to tackle the issues which people with disabilities face in everyday life and to provide recourses and information to deal with these problems. The overall aim of the project was to strengthen rights and integration of national minorities (mostly those who use Russian language as means of daily communication), and especially respecting human rights of persons with disabilities by promoting growth of welfare and strengthening democratic values of this social group. Specific aim of the project was to educate representatives from organisations which deal with national minorities on democratic and political participation aspects as well as to promote their participation in frames of their local municipalities by becoming more politically active, attracting attention from the society and promoting problem issues thereby strengthening the capacity of regional organisations. This project has significantly promoted democratical values and human rights of people with disabilities, especially in municipalities where different project activities was held. Trained 11 participants from 5 organisations on democracy issues and communication of their related problem issues. During the project 5 regional forums on rights of people with disabilities to be involved in local municipality political processes were organized with 150 participants and 20 additional organisations involved. 11 videos on national/regional TV broadcasted and one radio discussion held. 2 big articles in the biggest Russian speaking audience weekly newspaper – one targeting persons with disabilities, other – targeting employers and entrepreneurs. 14 different activities organized in regions or Latvia with 253 people involved. Overall in each and every activity there was high representation of direct target group of this project (people with disabilities and national minorities who are disabled) and the feedback have been very positive, because these activities proved that disabled persons face lack of information and feel left alone. With an involvement in this project they were able to express themselves and gain a feeling that their problems are listened upon.
Summary of bilateral results