Participatory project in public space – Happy children, no waste.
About this good practice
Lunik IX is a well-known residential area in Kosice predominantly inhabited by the Roma community, which has unfortunately gained a reputation for negative publicity. The living conditions in Lunik IX are marked by low standards, making it a priority to demonstrate how including residents in participatory projects can inspire them to improve the public spaces in their surroundings. This particular good practice focuses on engaging the local community to foster a sense of ownership and responsibility. The primary objective of the initiative was to clean up the public space and transform it into a leisure space for the residents, especially targeting children and young people in the area. The space also serves as a safe area for children's development and a gathering place for the community. Ultimately, it demonstrated that participatory projects involving the local community can motivate and empower residents to improve the public spaces around them, while also contributing to a more positive image of the area. The particular zone in the residential area was transformed by organizing participatory event with help of local community, which themselves transformed the public space into the leisure space with play equipment and some greenery. The main stakeholders of the project is young people from the neighborhood cooperating with ETP Slovakia with a support of local municipality.
Resources needed
Since 2021, the project has received €15,000 in funding over four years, supporting its growth. It was funded by the Active Citizen Fund Slovakia (2021), Green Košice grants (2021–2022), and the European Social Fund (2024). Led by ETP Slovakia, the initiative engaged the local community of Lunik IX.
Evidence of success
This successful project transformed a public space into a vibrant hub for play and gatherings, improving the area’s image. In 2021, young people from Lunik IX pitched the idea, winning second place in the Eurofondue competition. Today, locals actively use the space, maintained by ETP Slovakia, which cares for trees and furniture. Future plans include adding seating and play structures, but funding is needed. The project fosters community engagement and lasting positive change.
Potential for learning or transfer
This good practice serves as an excellent example of how to effectively engage local communities in addressing their own challenges and improving their quality of life. Non-profit organizations like ETP Slovakia demonstrate how an organization with a local focus in cooperation with local municipalities can make a significant impact by helping transform and positively influence the communities. The key success of the project lies in the fact that the local community did the majority of the work, with the project providing only the necessary coordination and motivation. The positive outcomes of the initiative empowered local children, encouraging them to develop their own initiatives, which are now being supported and facilitated by ETP Slovakia.
Good practise owner:
ETP Slovakia – Centre for Sustainable Development
Tajovského 1, 04001, Košice, Slovakia
E-mail: [email protected]
Further information
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Good practice owner
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