Village societies for community resilience, improving the living environment in Lümanda village

By project GOCORE

Published on 16 February 2025

Estonia

Eesti

Saaremaa

About this good practice

Adventure trail for youngsters
A heavy storm that resulted in heaps of broken branches from trees, provoked the idea of using them to build a public and free of charge adventure trail for physical activity and fun for children. A derelict area was upgraded for the purpose. Seed money from local government supported drawing up the technical design of the trail and attractions. The EU supported purchasing the required materials. Numerous hours of voluntary work of many people were invested in and five crowd-working days were organised to carry out the building work. Equipment and tools were provided by local people and companies. To cover the territory, the storm branches were mulched and spread during crowd-working. A special section of attractions was built for young children, considering their abilities and safety. Maintenance of the trail is based on the villagers’ voluntary work and input.

Unconventional way of fundraising
To go on with improving the village environment, 285 m of dilapidated stone fence was sold meter by meter. People from Lümanda and elsewhere were keen to join in and each of them purchased 1 m of the fence, marked with the owner’s name plate today. The raised funds were used to rebuild the typical to the location fence as well as to clean and tidy up the surroundings. The fence is attracting people from near and far to visit the village as well as to consume services available there. Another 300 m section is waiting ahead.

Resources needed

Voluntary hours of work by the village people of all ages, leadership and management, 5 crowd-working days/events; 23 000€ of funding the design and building materials of the trail; tools and equipment provided by local people and companies.

Evidence of success

A good quality living environment is essential to sustain the population of a location.
Results: upgraded dilapidated areas, improved living environment, place for leisure and socialising for young people, possibility for healthy physical activity.
Impact: common effort for a common purpose and good, increased trust and unity among villagers of different generations, grown community spirit, promoting the village as a valuable place to live, especially for young families, attracting visitors.

Potential for learning or transfer

Voluntary action for a common good is a precious ground to bring a community together.
Tightening the bond between both individuals and generations: communities help the young people to value their roots.
Focusing on action: in case of any action requiring varied resources, it is easier to find them if there is a trust in the community and willingness to contribute with either hours of work, equipment, materials, skills and knowledge or leadership and management.
Sharing responsibility: people, companies and municipal institutions perceive the liability for wellbeing and development.
Being open: confidence and mutual trust allow to admit new ideas but also new people to the community. Unconventional ways of raising the required resources may result in more than hoped for. In the described case, the “real estate” fence became a visitors’ attraction next to rebuilding an old fence that was the initial purpose of selling it piece by piece. Visitors allow to run services and livelihood.