WHO CAN WE COLLABORATE WITH?

Workshops

Poland

Górno

At the workshop in Górno was born idea of a Communal Environmental Festival, which will be preceded by a community clean-up campaign and an environmental knowledge competition. The main theme of the festival is ecology. Among other things, the festival will include a summary of the clean-up campaign and environmental competition. The prizes will also be ecological and promote ecology.

Elbląg

The discussion concentrated on the environmental challenges produced ideas for future tasks of the project, such as: building a joint alliance of teens from the local youth council and active citizens from the seniors’ clubs, working on micro-projects focused on environmentally friendly local policies, and common actions such as refurbishing micro-green squares in hot spots.

Italy

Roggiano Gravina, Cosenza

The groups tackled a number of themes dealing with a participatory framework, emphasizing the need to involve community members at every stage, from planning to implementation and evaluation. This not only ensures that initiatives align with local needs but also fosters a sense of ownership and pride among community members. Through a combination of education, engagement, and action, the community becomes a driving force in the green transition, creating a sustainable and resilient future.

• Grand Hotel Salerno, Salerno (first workshop)
  
  Participants discussed global citizenship, third-sector organisations, gender and environmental issues as integrated into the decision-making processes and activities, ensuring that the community is actively involved in shaping its sustainable future. The emphasis is on inclusivity, collaboration, and recognising the diverse needs and perspectives within the community.

• Grand Hotel Salerno, Salerno (second workshop)
  
  The focus of the discussion was on the implications of climate change, green transition, and vulnerabilities in local communities. In the participatory framework, these concepts are interconnected, recognizing that addressing environmental issues and climate change involves a holistic approach that considers social dynamics and vulnerabilities. The aim is to empower the community to collectively overcome discrimination, enhance resilience, and actively contribute to a green transition that is just, inclusive, and sustainable for all.

• Grand Hotel Salerno, Salerno (third workshop)
  
  As a result of the discussion at the workshop, participants expressed enthusiasm for developing a community action plan. This plan would outline specific steps, projects, and timelines for implementing sustainable practices and fostering the green transition. Participants discussed the formation of task forces that would focus on key areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste reduction. These task forces would include members from social economy organisations, local government, and community residents.

Croatia

Omišalj (Krk)

The focus of the workshop was on developing ideas about training animators. Those attending highlighted the importance of working with small groups since it was easier for people to feel included and involved, and the importance of being aware of what a community can and cannot do – some activities and actions may not be possible and appropriate at a particular time. It is very important to maintain a positive atmosphere and offer examples of good practice. Participants concluded that activities should be tailored to the interests of local communities, and those living within them.

Lisina

The workshop was dedicated to developing ideas about techniques for raising public awareness and participation. Participants discussed in smaller groups suggested that it is important to map the needs of the local community, to be aware that some issues at that particular point in time might be a top priority of that community, to be extremely proactive and approach citizens in the local community instead of waiting for them to come with their problems, to focus on the micro-level with small groups of citizens, and to use face to face approach.

Greece

Karditsa

The workshop originally planned for September was delayed due to unprecedented disruptions in the Thessaly and Karditsa areas caused by the DANIEL storm. The region of Karditsa experienced extensive flooding for over 10 days, resulting in the destruction of homes, roads, and basic infrastructure, significantly impacting everyday activities. Normalcy in daily life began to resume in November, prompting us to re-engage with the stakeholders of the Co-Green project. During the workshop, there was a discussion about techniques for raising public awareness and participation. Participants not only shared previous best practices but also introduced new ideas. In summary, the following techniques were proposed:

• Utilize platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to spread information and encourage participation.
• Organize town hall meetings and workshops to discuss issues and encourage community participation.
• Install easy-to-read information corners in public spaces to provide information and promote community involvement.
• Partner with local newspapers, radio stations, or TV channels to share news and updates about community initiatives.
• Create a user-friendly website or app with interactive features for residents to stay informed and participate in online discussions.
• Visit local schools to educate students about community issues, encouraging them to involve their families.
• Use public art installations to convey messages and create awareness.
• Organize opportunities for community members to actively contribute to local projects or conservation efforts.
• Conduct short surveys, online or offline, to gather feedback and opinions from the public on various community matters.

It was highlighted that there is a need to create and manage a local list of engaged stakeholders. This list will enable anyone interested in receiving feedback from active citizens to connect with these stakeholders. The discussion about the management and use of this list concluded with the decision to start creating it in future Co-Green events.

Focus groups

Italy

Salerno

Three focus groups were organized where the Co-Green Project’s objectives were comprehensively presented, and insights from preceding meetings were shared. Valuable feedback was systematically collected through the facilitation of world cafés, Open Space Technology (OST), and brainstorming sessions. These methodologies aimed not only to disseminate project information but also to foster a collaborative and inclusive environment, ensuring that the voices of all participants were heard and considered.

Individual interviews

Poland

Górno, Wiązowna, Elbląg, Starachowice

30 interviews were held in Górno, Wiązowna, and Elbląg, while 21 in Starachowice. Activists and trainers involved in the project conducted 3-4 individual interviews with stakeholders in their localities. The aim was to find out first and foremost the perspective of the resident. Self-diagnostic techniques were used to map the local resources, actors, and specificities of the local communities involved. The intention was to involve local community representatives in the process of producing/gathering knowledge about their communities.