EVENT 13: PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION OF THE CO-GREEN COMMUNITY ACTIONS
The main objective of Event 13 is to understand the extent to which participants in the CO-GREEN community actions have changed their awareness and engagement regarding green measures and local policies. Additionally, through participatory evaluation initiatives, the engaged communities are expected to share their critical viewpoints and lessons learned, with the aim of shaping effective future pathways for green policies.
The participatory evaluation exercise was conducted over an extended project period, beginning in the summer of 2023 and concluding at the end of the project:
- In Poland: sessions in Górno on 11/09 and 18/09/2024, in Wiązowna on 29/10/2024, and in Starachowice on 05/11/2024
- In Italy: sessions in Magione on 21/10/2024, in Cosenza on 08/11/2024, and in Cavalese on 16/10/2024
- In Croatia: sessions in Opatija and Rijeka on 13/07/2024 and 17/10/2024
- In Greece: session in Karditsa on 14/10/2024
The project partners have used different techniques ranging from focus groups to world cafés, Open Space Technology sessions and hands-on visits. In total, 183 participants have been engaged:
- Poland: 77 (60 women and 17 men)
- Italy: 63 (37 women, 24 men, 2 non-binary)
- Croatia: 23 (18 women and 5 men)
- Greece: 20 (16 women and 4 men)
In addition, a questionnaire was distributed to appreciate the participants’ level of satisfaction with the following dimensions of the CO-GREEN pathways:
Below, the outline of the events in our local community.
GREECE:
In Greece, the Co-Green project’ s evaluation workshop was organised on 14/10/2024. It brought together 15 participants who engaged in a productive discussion on the project’s impacts, challenges, and potential for lasting influence within the community.Participants rated the project’s effects and benefits highly, noting its success in advancing sustainable practices and fostering collaboration among the Green Activators. The project provided substantial benefits, including greater awareness and practical insights into sustainable development for Green Activators, trainers, and the wider community. Feedback indicated a strong alignment with community needs, though some participants noted that broader local involvement could have further enhanced its impact. Participants also highlighted positive outcomes such as intergenerational training, improved relationships with local NGOs, and new skills in public participation, with an emphasis on participatory processes where everyone becomes a proactive contributor rather than just a follower. They agreed on the project’s potential to leave a lasting legacy through established networks and practices, recommending that similar projects prioritize early stakeholder engagement, clear communication, and continued support for local initiatives.
The planned integration workshop was organised as a focus group on 14/10/2024,bringing together 5 trainers involved in the Co-Green project. This session provided valuable insights into the specific challenges hindering Karditsa’s progress toward a green transition. During the session, the trainers agreed that the project successfully highlighted key issues that require attention. They noted a general lack of engagement with local citizens, which has limited community support for sustainable initiatives. Additionally, while the municipality has expressed interest in green initiatives, there appears to be insufficient backing to fully support local actions and long-term projects. The trainers also pointed out that the university, a key institution for fostering knowledge and innovation, has not been as open to collaborating with the local community as would be beneficial. This disconnect limits opportunities for knowledge-sharing that could promote sustainable practices and green awareness. Furthermore, most NGOs in the area are not actively utilizing participatory processes, which hinders their ability to effectively involve citizens in the decision-making process. The trainers emphasized that the scarcity of active citizen initiatives to apply pressure on local government has also been a significant barrier, resulting in slower progress on implementing green transition measures. This discussion underscored the need for stronger, community-wide engagement strategies to drive Karditsa’s sustainable development goals.