Description
Planned activities are intended to enhance participation of citizens in matters important for local community and to raise awareness of local authorities on the need to include inhabitants in the process of developing local public policies. The project is about including local inhabitants, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholder groups from Koszalin in the process of planning, decision-making and implementing of the local land management plan for the centre of the city. Under the project, an important process for the city and its inhabitants will be performed in a participatory manner, using active tools of joint development of local policies, and with broad promotional campaign.
Summary of project results
"The project was extremely important in the context of the necessity to increase the level of Koszalin residents' participation in the work of their local government, as well as in connection with the update of the area development plan of the city centre. The project was needed, because of the communication problems between the local government and the residents, and the sense that the public had no influence upon planning the directions of their city's development. It was the first such attempt to involve the residents in planning the urban space. The project's long-term objective was to initiate dialogue between the authorities and the public, in order to create space for expressing suggestions on the development of the city centre, in a participatory manner. The project's most important outcomes include: developing the document “Directions of development of Koszalin city centre for the years 2016-2025"", which will be used in creating programmes and updates for the city centre area development plan; 26 meetings with the residents; creating an exhibition and a publication promoting civic activity. Project activities applied the methodology of open meetings, workshops, and civil society cafes, which facilitated free expression and in-depth debate about the potential, problems and propositions of new solutions for the city centre. A promotional and publicity campaign was continuously maintained in local and social media, as well as via the especially organised exhibition and publications. The above actions stimulated the local community to get involved in planning and local initiatives. Among the authorities, they led to an increased awareness of the significance of public participation in creating local solutions. In total, over 1600 people took part in the activities, including: representatives of the magistrate, its organisational units, NGOs, businesses, and joint specialised units affiliated to the magistrate. The project was a continuation of the partnership between the applicant and the Koszalin Municipality. The city's participation in the project secured the necessary material and organisational support, and helped to increase the project's significance for the local community."
Summary of bilateral results