OUR MARKS: SOSNA Civil Association

RNDr. Gejza Legen (coordinator of the project We serve the communities of the Košice region)

How do you perceive the implementation of the project “We serve the communities of the Košice region” over time ?

The project fulfilled its goals (strengthening the capacity of SOSNA). Thanks to this strengthening, SOSNA continues to cooperate with target groups and partners as well as maintains a network of schools building climate school gardens. This is also evidenced by ongoing programs and activities (festivals, activities with schools, partners and companies).

 

 

What results have you achieved thanks to the project?

Achieved results described in the final report:

• Updated strategy of development and direction of further development of SOSNY with addition of content focus (Content Plan).
• Created new partnerships with foreign and domestic partners (schools, non-governmental organizations, municipalities) and better cooperation with important sectors of society Increased capacity of the SOSNA Ecocenter for starting new sustainable initiatives (especially in the field of climate gardens, environmental education and training, and responsible travel).
• Since the project was also aimed at the internal target group (employees and members), the project contributed to increasing their capacity, skills and competences. It can be demonstrated on new domestic and foreign initiatives and projects

Have you been able to achieve the goals you set at the beginning of the project?

The aim of the project was to strengthen the human and program capacity of the o.z. SOSNA for the development of work with target groups (education, municipalities, civic associations, volunteers, business sector) in order to ensure the long-term financial and personnel sustainability of the organization. The project, despite many challenges, was able to meet its goals: increased the capacity of SOSNY staff, maintained and developed key programs and initiatives.

What achievements have you attained thanks to the project and the support of the Active Citizens Fund – Slovakia? What was the project’s impact on the target groups and the community?

The biggest success of the project is the creation, maintenance and development of a network of schools building climate school gardens. It can be said that, in addition to increasing the capacity of the organization, this is the biggest benefit for the target groups (education, municipalities, civic associations, volunteers, business sector). The SOSNY model climate garden becomes an oasis of greenery, green solutions and a ground for school education and interactive festivals (see photo from the “Súladenie 2023” festival).

What experiences has your organization gained from the implemented project?

As part of the program, we created bilateral cooperation with a foreign partner as well as local and national partners (Poď na dvor and ArtEst, city of Košice, VSE, SAŽP). Thanks to the project and the ACF support program, we were able to implement beneficial and meaningful activities for target groups and the public. The number of active participants and visitors to the events also testifies to the benefit of the support program.

What specific benefits and opportunities did the ACF – Slovakia program provide you with?

1) Possibility of cooperation with a foreign partner from the donor country (Iceland)

2) The advantage of co-financing the project through volunteer work

3) The opportunity to financially support target groups (schools, partners) in the form of small re-granting

4) Opportunity to present the organization and the program at mass and mass events (“Other Paths” and “Súladenie” festivals)

5) Opportunity to build on increasing the capacity of the organization and set up existing and future programs.

How do you assess the collaboration within the Active Citizens Fund – Slovakia program?

Cooperation with the program and its representatives was above standard. The representatives of the program helped to face the above-mentioned challenges and really helped with the sometimes difficult implementation and reporting of the project. The program helped new as well as current employees and representatives of SOSNA to grow professionally. These are managerial, organizational, but also practical aspects related to the numerous activities of the project.