Description
The project seeks to promote the concept of civic participation among residents of the community of Stare Juchy by engaging them in workshops to prepare an update to the 2020 Sustainable Development Strategy for Stare Juchy and by organizing public debates to discuss the implementation of the Strategy. The Strategy sets a direction for local government policy and thus directly affects the local community. This is why the municipal authorities of Stare Juchy are partners in the project. The measures that we will take are designed to create a sense of ownership of their local environment among residents , to consolidate the community and to enhance the understanding of civic participation skills. The Strategy update process will involved 25 local residents but its results will be important for all community members. The project will also improve the skills of the Applicant and other NGOs in this field through training on managing voluntary organizations and fund-raising.
Summary of project results
"In the rural municipality Stare Juchy (Warmińsko-Mazurskie voivodeship), inhabitants lacked the knowledge and skills to launch effective activities for local community and to claim their rights. The association noticed the problem during its previous activities. In view of the fact that the Sustainable Development Strategy was to expire in 2013, the association proposed to local government to update the strategy for the following years. It was a very good opportunity to engage inhabitants in public affairs of the municipality and to include them in the process of co-deciding on its future functioning. The aim of the project was to improve the quality of initiatives undertaken by inhabitants in cooperation with local authorities and to strengthen the voice of inhabitants in matters that concerned them. In the municipality, a ""Sustainable Development Strategy for the Municipality of Stare Juchy till 2020"", prepared with participation of inhabitants, was accepted, to outline activities of local government having direct impact on the life of local community. Participation in developing of the strategy integrated inhabitants and enhanced their skills in cooperating in common activities for the municipality. Under the project, 2 information meetings were held, 6 workshops gathering in all 76 inhabitants were organised, 4 public debates were conducted, and consultation meetings were held to gather opinions of inhabitants on the strategic document. Based on opinions from inhabitants, the expert prepared the final document that was forwarded to the Municipal Council. The strategy was published on the web page of the organisation and in paper form in 60 copies. Its implementation will be systematically monitored by a group of inhabitants. In addition, a study trip to the Parliament was organised (for members of working group developing the strategy) where they met MPs and senators from the election district covering the municipality of Stare Juchy (at the meeting, needs of local communities and rules for contacting MPs and ways of handling matters in MP bureaus were discussed). Recipients of the activities were all inhabitants of the municipality Stare Juchy. The tasks of the partner - the municipality of Stare Juchy - included organising space for debates and workshops, and participation in all meetings with inhabitants."
Summary of bilateral results