WHICH SKILLS TO SUPPORT PARTICIPATORY AND CO-PLANNING PROCESSES IN COMMUNITIES?

Event no. 7 “Training design” has featured (1) a transnational workshop on 8-9-10 October in Rome and (2) series of local workshops that were arranged between June and October 2023 in all partner countries(Italy, Ctoatia, Greece and Poland).

Description and dates:

Event 7, “Training Design”, was based on the international workshop and the cycle of local seminars:

  • The international workshop on October 8th, 9th and 10th 2023 was organised at the premises of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (Italy). The 3-day workshop gathered external experts to review and finalise the trainers’ training programme.
  • The local workshops and meetings were organised between June and October 2023 in all partner countries:
    •  Poland: Wiązowna on 03/10/2023, Starachowice on 20/10/2023, and Elbląg on 23/10/2023
    •  Italy: Cavalese on 09/07/2023, Magione on 20/08/2023, and Cosenza Panebianco on 28/09/2023
    •  Croatia: Opatija on 03/07/2023, Rijeka on 30/06/2023, 05/07/2023, 31/08/2023, and 04/09/2023
    •  Greece: Karditsa on 25/10/2023

In total, 179 stakeholders from the four partner countries participated in the events:

  • 13 in the international workshop in Rome (4 participants from Poland, 3 from Italy, 3 from Croatia, and 3 from Greece)
  • 166 in the local workshops (45 participants from Poland, 65 from Italy, 26 from Croatia, and 26 from Greece)

Goals: To support the project partners in co-developing and finalising the planned modules and reference materials for the CO-GREEN trainers’ training programme.

Description of activities:

The international workshop

At the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” (Italy) on October 8th, 9th and 10th, 2023, a collaborative workshop involving 13 experts and activists from 4 countries aimed to develop the CO-GREEN trainers’ training programme.

Highlights of the workshop included a presentation of the role of CO-GREEN activators:

The role of the Green Activator is multifaceted, serving as a catalyst for positive change within the community. Here are the key aspects of their role:

– Motivation and Group Formation: The Green Activator’s primary task is to inspire and motivate individuals within the community, bringing them together to form a cohesive group with a shared vision for a sustainable future.
– Skills Diversity: They work to identify and gather individuals with diverse skill sets to create a well-rounded team. These varied skills complement one another, enhancing the group’s overall capabilities.
– Competence Balancing: The Green Activator ensures a balance of competences within the group
– Collaboration with Other NGOs: They actively seek out and collaborate with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to leverage collective resources, knowledge, and expertise in pursuit of common goals.
– Resource Mobilization: Green Activators are proficient in seeking funds and resources to support their initiatives, making their projects financially sustainable.
– Goal Setting and Structuring: They play a crucial role in setting clear goals and structuring action plans that guide the group toward their desired outcomes.
– Delegation: Green Activators delegate tasks within the group, ensuring that responsibilities are distributed effectively and that everyone has a meaningful role to play.
– Engaging with Local Communities and Institutions: They possess the ability to engage with local communities and institutions, effectively bridging the gap between community members and official bodies, fostering collaboration for sustainable change.
– Stamina and Persistence: Realizing that meaningful change takes time, Green Activators demonstrate resilience and invest in continuous learning to adapt to evolving circumstances and challenges. Their dedication and commitment are essential to sustaining long-term initiatives.
The syllabus general structure can be accessed here.

Therefore, the syllabus contents should be centred on:

GENERAL PART:

– Introduction to participation: understanding the significance of community participation in addressing green issues. Exploring the benefits and challenges of fostering active engagement within local communities.
– Levels of participation: examining the spectrum of community participation, from basic involvement to collaborative decision-making.
– Methods and tools for participation at the community level
– Key underlying concepts: environmental justice. Exploring the intersectionality of environmental issues and social equity. Understanding how green initiatives can address and mitigate inequalities within communities.
– Sustainability and resilience: defining key terms related to sustainability and resilience. Discussing how communities can develop resilience strategies in the face of environmental challenges
– Building partnerships: leveraging external resources to enhance the effectiveness of community participation

CONTEXT-SPECIFIC / INCREMENTAL PART of the syllabus:

– Case studies and good practices: analysing successful models of community participation in green projects. Learning from real-world examples to derive valuable insights and strategies.
– Links to resources

By structuring the syllabus around these key components, the trainers will gain comprehensive insights into the theoretical foundations, practical methods, and available resources for promoting community participation in green issues. This approach ensures a well-rounded training programme that equips trainers to empower communities for sustainable and environmentally responsible actions.

Event workshop cover
Event workshop programme
Event workshop summary
Presentation - Volterrani
Presentation - Grabowska

The local Focus Group Discussion – University of Thessaly

 

On October 25, 2023, a focus group discussion was held at the University of Thessaly, involving 25 local stakeholders. The primary agenda was to discuss educational needs of the green activators event 7 of Project Co-Green and to prepare for the upcoming Train the Trainers Event 8. The key Discussion Points were:

 

Knowledge Requirements for Green Activators:

● Participants highlighted the following essential knowledge areas for Green Activators:
● Understanding of green development principles, tools, and practical applications.
● Secondary education and preferably a degree, along with seminars on green development for effective problem-solving.
● Familiarity with local and broader environmental issues, their causes, consequences, and proposed solutions.
● Knowledge of human geography specific to their region.
● Basic understanding of EU Green Deal policies, explained in simple terms.
● Awareness of ‘green issues’ pertinent to rural communities.

 

Competencies for Green Activators:

● Participants identified key competencies required for effective Green Activators:
● Strong communication and debate skills to promote green development principles.
● Ability to manage and lead discussions on relevant topics.
● Effective communication of environmental issues.
● Active listening skills.
● Cooperative working attitude.
● Consistency and hardworking approach.
● Capacity to learn and adapt.
● Synthesis of diverse positions and opinions.
● Establishment of a collaborative network with relevant agencies.
● Understanding local communities’ needs for Green Transition.
● Proficiency in observation, research, and group discussion.
● Ability to encourage public participation and conduct meetings.
● Negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
● Effective use of talks, experiential methods, and visits to showcase green transition practices.
● Exchange of experiences within the group.
● Training Methods for Skill Development:

 

The group recommended the following training methods to enhance the knowledge and skills of Green Activators:

● Live information sessions on existing issues, utilizing case studies to demonstrate practical applications of green development.
● Regular updates on new environmental data through lectures, forums, and participation in relevant events.
● Experiential workshops incorporating non-standard learning methods, case studies, and action design examples.
Event questionnaire

The Co-green project is part of the CERV funding program – ” Citizens, equality, rights and values ” -, launched by the European Commission in 2021 and active until 2027.The project is funded by the European Commission .