Civic education in action

‘Civic education in action’ project worth PLN 393,135.00, implemented between 1 September 2012 and 31 October 2013 from the Fund for Non-Governmental Organisations under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme Block Grant.

We were inspired to implement this project by the activities of Groundwork NI in Belfast and our many years of experience in social work at the Gościnna Przystań Neighbourhood Centre in Gdańsk Orunia. We involved residents of five courtyards in educational and planning workshops, during which they developed a concept for the development of their courtyards with the support of an architect and a social facilitator. The concepts developed by the residents were implemented by them in the spring. With the support of volunteers and the project team, the residents arranged the neighbourhood space by organising parking spaces, planting greenery, and creating playgrounds for children and recreational areas for adults. The change took place not only in the space, but above all in the attitudes of the residents. Using the experience gained during the project and the activities of Groundwork NI, we developed a guide as part of the project entitled ‘A guide to courtyards – how to change your neighbourhood space together with residents in ten steps’. The guide presents a model for working with residents on transforming neighbourhood courtyard spaces.

We encourage you to read the guide, which is available in the Publications tab.

The project was co-financed by Switzerland as part of the Swiss programme of cooperation with new EU member states.