The COVID crisis brought unexpected and unprecedented challenges to local communities in almost every area of life.
Lockdowns and social distancing meant that cultural activities had to be reimagined – and around the world, innovative and creative solutions emerged that are worth sharing and building upon.
As part of the project, we organised focus groups, trainings, and workshops in Érd, Amsterdam, Sofia, and Nicosia, and created an online toolkit to help local communities prepare for potential future natural, economic, or environmental challenges.
The main goal is to support local communities in times of crisis and equip community organisers with the knowledge and tools they need to plan and deliver community events, activities, and gatherings that can thrive even in challenging circumstances.
In the long run, this will positively impact the mental well-being of communities and strengthen social cohesion.
Key Activities
We carried out both online and offline research in the four participating countries to map local communities, exploring traditions and the impact of COVID-19. Based on these findings, we developed an online educational platform where we learned from both national and international best practices and discovered how to effectively organise local community life. At the end of the project, we produced a Social Impact Report, which served as a model for organisations and community initiatives.
A key focus was building the capacity of local stakeholders. To support this, we organised training workshops and multiplier events in each participating country, with the involvement of local organisers as well.
Key Achievements
Research Report: In four countries (Hungary, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Cyprus), 400 questionnaires and 62 in-depth interviews were conducted to map the cultural habits of local communities and assess the impacts of COVID-19.
E-learning Platform: Developed an online learning tool that enables active learning aimed at shaping and strengthening local communities.
Training Curriculum on Community Participation: Created a curriculum containing both theoretical and practical knowledge for community organisers, showcasing methods of community engagement and collaboration.
Creativity Development Toolkit: Designed a toolkit to support the creative implementation and sustainability of community initiatives.
Social Impact Assessment Report: Produced both international and national-level reports to measure the project’s impact, evaluating its effects on community cohesion and crisis management capacity.
© Cromo Alapítvány
