Zawodzie, according to numerous studies conducted by the Municipal Social Assistance Center in Elbląg (now: Elbląg Social Services Center), is one of the five most neglected districts in the city. The residents are minimally engaged in the community life. From our observations, one of the reasons is the lack of spaces for meeting and initiating or developing initiatives. Our experiences also indicated that the city authorities rarely communicated with the residents of Zawodzie.

We established a partnership in the district, consisting of active residents, social organizations, and entrepreneurs. On behalf of the partnership, we submitted a request to the mayor for the establishment of a district council and appointed a representative for regular contact with the local government. We conducted a series of training sessions and workshops for partnership members, focusing on leadership skills and grassroots social initiatives. The participants gained practical knowledge on how to engage in local actions and incorporate environmental protection into them. We conducted consultations on the development of the district and organized citizen cafes where residents could discuss topics important to them. We held activities for children and their families, providing them with opportunities to pursue their passions and develop artistic skills while also acquiring knowledge about ecology. Together with the residents, we carried out neighborhood initiatives and social actions related to the improvement of courtyards or squares, item exchange markets, creating community gardens, picnics, and open-air cinema events.