The Bardejov district is one of the less developed regions, from where the population still leaves in relatively large numbers for work or education. The civic association Different therefore tries to activate the people who stay here, give them space for self-realization and look for ways to influence public affairs through their activity. Offers opportunities to return here more often. So far, they are doing well, primarily, thanks to regular cultural and community activities (theatre, film, music, discussions, exhibitions, workshops, community meetings, etc.), which started in April 2017 thanks to the reconstruction of one of the five floors of the bastion.

The Different is moving from a semi-professional to a professional level, and to be able to grasp their work in the local community more conceptually, they need to strengthen the capacity and competencies of the organization. Work more on building relationships with the supporters and donors to ensure the financial sustainability of activities, improve external communication, be more open and more transparent.

The project aims to strengthen the capacities and competencies of the civic association Different in cooperation with expert and cooperating organizations. Through the reconstruction and functioning of another part of the cultural and community centre Bašta, the background for civic activities in Bardejov will expand. The project will also contribute to the creation of partnerships and networking of local active people in and around the city.

The role of the Norwegian partner, Kulturfjøset Huser, in the project is mainly to share experiences, consult, organize and coordinate mutual study visits, networking with their cooperating organizations. Cooperation will be primarily on the topics of involving and activating local communities, exchange of experiences and advice on strategies and participatory processes.

The project will be beneficial for the citizens of Bardejov, NGOs, students, etc.

Summary of bilateral results

The presence of a foreign partner in this project enabled mutual sharing of experience from another cultural center but with similar spaces and partly also activities, so project implementers could look into their way of working and come up with new ideas, which was ultimately very beneficial, interesting and also inspiring. For the duration of the project, mutual activities were shared, such as lighting design workshops and yoga training, on-farm courses in connection with summer flying, etc. At the same time, the project implementers and the partner organization developed presentations of their own activities, which they forwarded together and thus had the opportunity to get to know the partner's work, while the partner on the other hand had more insight into the "premises and activities" of the civic association Different. In connection with the goal of the project, both parties try to involve the community in the cultural activities of the place (since it is located in the countryside) and thus provide it with space for self-realization. Despite the fact that they could not visit each other due to the pandemic, both centers decided to implement a partial alternative solution, in the form of film documentaries.

Through these two film documentaries, they tried to remotely approach the functioning of both cultural centers (specifically, the creation and implementation of an interactive play for children and youth, which also had an educational dimension) to share this experience with the general public.

Project details

Project info
Period
2014-2021
Approval date
Grant financing
79774.00€
Final project cost
88634.98€