Common actions
During the realization of our project, an international series of a wide range of events was framed up with the participation of the partners from the 6 countries.
These events were always drawn up around the topic of rural development. Every country could choose their own topic and organize its own event based on that topic. The main focus of these events were the exchange of well working practices and experiences, helping to improve cross-generation communication and acquiring techniques of sustainable rural development with the collaboration of non-governmental organizations.
Our goal to take up the production of economically friendly goods by long-term cooperation with partner organizations that are practised in rural development was successfully reached. Organizations from regions with a similar background and similar issues to address were involved. These are partners from Central European regions (Czech, Slovak and Romanian) as well as our extant Finnish partner and their Italian partner organization.
The events were coordinated by the 36 Jó Palóc PbO and were in each case liaised with by the organizer and implementer partner organizations.
The organizations of each country helped actively and with their full resources to complete the project. The network between the partners was established right after our very first meeting. This fact ensured the smooth running of our programs. We put emphasis each time on the following goals:
to create a common face based on European citizenry, democracy and common values through differing histories and cultures
to find a breakthrough point from economic depression by cooperation and sharing examples of working solutions
to contribute to the goals of the economic strategy set up in the 'Europe 2020' incentive as well as to the reduction of energy consumption, the broadening of the use of renewable energy sources and the raising of employment levels
to create a forum for citizens where they can exchange their experiences, views and values, to have the chance to learn from their respective histories and start building a future towards the welfare, employment, social cohesion and a sustainable development
the review of citizens' rights and possibilities connected to the 20th anniversary of the Maastricht Treaty.
The participants met on 11 occasions at professional meetings and cultural events throughout the course of the program.
We received a helping hand from members of civil society organizations and volunteers with the realization of the programs which gave our project broader social recognition. We were able to reach out to the younger as well as the older generations in cooperation with civil society organizations that connect the local youth to the elderly. This was established under the common goal to keep local products alive and preserve their traditions.
Workshops, seminars and round table discussions were also held on every occasion. The goal of these sessions was that the participants familiarize themselves with their partners' background, draw up common goals and solutions as well as possible ways for further cooperation.
We were successful in highlighting the different national characteristics and the diversity of European culture which made it possible to communicate common human values and to share our respective experiences in rural development. With the events and our achievements, we indirectly contributed to the growth of the population retaining ability of villages, counteracting negative migration of young people, the raise in the living standards of people living in small communities, which links to raising employment rates.