BEYOND (Rural Communities pushing BEYOND COVID-19)

BEYOND (Rural Communities pushing BEYOND COVID-19) 

Project “BEYOND – Rural Communities pushing BEYOND COVID-19” is co-funded by the European Union via the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (i.e. CERV Programme); call for proposals “Networks of Towns”.  It has been approved for a grant amounting to €148.015,00.  The project started in 01/12/2022 and it will be implemented until 30/11/2024 (duration: 24 months).

The project applicant/lead partner is the Municipality of Cestica. The project includes partners from 5 European Union member states. The partnership includes the following organizations and municipalities:

1. ·         Zavod Sopotniki, zavod za medgeneracijsko solidarnost (in Slovenia)
2. ·         Municipality of Ormož (Slovenia)
3. ·         Comune di Cavriago (Italy)
4. ·         Gemeinde Heiningen (Germany)
5. ·         Comune di Usseaux (Italy)
6. ·         Sásd és Térsége Terület- és Humánfejlesztési Nonprofit Kft (in Hungary)

The purpose of the project is to enhance citizen engagement in civil society actions and democratic processes in rural communities; specifically, to demonstrate how we can improve our communities after the COVID-19 Pandemic.  In order to achieve this aim, the project has been organized as 7 3-day events, which will bring citizens from different backgrounds together.  At each event, specific themes relating to the partners’ experience during the COVID-19 pandemic will be discussed and debated, the partnership will gather citizens' opinions about certain development issues and new synergies will be developed (i.e. new cooperation, new project proposals that focus on citizens' needs, etc.).  The following provides a breakdown of the scheduled events in the project:

•        Kick-off event in Cestica, HR: March 29-31, 2023 (Theme: Organizing volunteers and civil protection actions)
•      Event 2 in Ajdovscina, Slovenia (organized by Sopotniki); Early June 2023 (TBD); Theme: Promoting inter-generational solidarity and responding to the needs of the elderly);
•        Event 3 in Heiningen, Germany: Sept 2023 (Theme: Organizing actions that enhance social inclusion & environmental protection)
•       Event 4 in Cavriago, Italy; November 2023 (Theme: Enhancing citizen engagement in education    actions and the mental well-being of families)         
•      Event 5 in Usseaux, Italy; June 2024 (Theme: Engaging citizens in actions that contribute to preserving cultural and nature assets in remote areas)
•      Event 6 in Sasd, Hungary (organized by “Sásd és Térsége Terület”: September 2024 (Theme: Addressing the mental well-being of the most vulnerable during pandemic – elderly persons and persons w/disabilities
•      Final event in Ormož, Slovenia (organized by Ormož and Cestica): late October 2024 (Theme: Adapting community events so that they promote tourism and solidarity in the community) 

By organizing the events, the partnership and the participants of the project will gain the following benefits:

•         Enhanced capacities in rural areas to prepare and participate in actions that contribute to rural communities overcoming COVID-19;
•         Improved awareness among citizens in rural communities about how EU policies/values positively impact the quality of life;
•         Enhanced cooperation between rural communities

By achieving these results, rural communities will be better prepared to address future challenges that impact the lives of citizens.