Active space in a city district
Civic participation
Completed
małopolskie
Kraków
Laboratory of the Civic Association, Kraków, Poland
2014-10-01 - 2016-02-28
379 483,47 PLN
340 343,27 PLN
local government
Project description
The project partners identified three key problems. The first concerned the role of local councillors and their insufficient competence to involve residents in the affairs of Kraków districts. Another concerned the residents – their lack of knowledge about the councillors and the possibility to get involved in local affairs. The third was the unused potential of districts as the city’s auxiliary units.
The main objective was to initiate a debate between different communities about reinforcing the role of districts as the city’s auxiliary units.
As a result of the project, the Chairman of the City Council initiated the Forum on the Future of Districts. The Forum continues to work on the recommendations for strengthening the districts, and organises regular meetings concerning district development, with participation of members of local authorities, activists, scientists and politicians.
A “Super councillor” campaign was conducted, drawing attention to district council elections, and presenting the candidates. Six participatory initiatives were conducted in the districts (e.g. consultations, workshops, designing a green area) with participation of 400 residents. District councillors took part in a course on increasing the residents’ involvement. Six inter-district forums were held, aimed at diagnosing the problems of Kraków districts and producing recommendations for their strengthening. The discussion topics included the role of a councillor, participatory budgeting, acceptance of construction projects, and urban planning. The forums were attended by 184 people – councillors, residents, and civil servants. A coalition of three NGOs was created, which for several years had acted for their districts (encouraging residents and councillors to conduct watchdog activities). The coalition continues its advocacy as a part of the Forum on the Future of Districts.
The beneficiaries of the project were residents of Kraków, city and district councillors, civil servants, urban activists and NGOs.
Pracownia Obywatelska, the project partner, was responsible for the information campaign, coordinating advocacy as part of the Forum on the Future of Districts, and planning the topics for the forums.
We use the grant for capacity building
The main objective was to initiate a debate between different communities about reinforcing the role of districts as the city’s auxiliary units.
As a result of the project, the Chairman of the City Council initiated the Forum on the Future of Districts. The Forum continues to work on the recommendations for strengthening the districts, and organises regular meetings concerning district development, with participation of members of local authorities, activists, scientists and politicians.
A “Super councillor” campaign was conducted, drawing attention to district council elections, and presenting the candidates. Six participatory initiatives were conducted in the districts (e.g. consultations, workshops, designing a green area) with participation of 400 residents. District councillors took part in a course on increasing the residents’ involvement. Six inter-district forums were held, aimed at diagnosing the problems of Kraków districts and producing recommendations for their strengthening. The discussion topics included the role of a councillor, participatory budgeting, acceptance of construction projects, and urban planning. The forums were attended by 184 people – councillors, residents, and civil servants. A coalition of three NGOs was created, which for several years had acted for their districts (encouraging residents and councillors to conduct watchdog activities). The coalition continues its advocacy as a part of the Forum on the Future of Districts.
The beneficiaries of the project were residents of Kraków, city and district councillors, civil servants, urban activists and NGOs.
Pracownia Obywatelska, the project partner, was responsible for the information campaign, coordinating advocacy as part of the Forum on the Future of Districts, and planning the topics for the forums.
