Zatorze is one of the oldest and poorest neighborhoods in Olsztyn. According to some statistics it has the highest population density in the entire city, while its citizens face poverty and the danger of social exclusion, poor living standards, and a small number of common, public areas. The neighborhood lacks regular events and social activities, as well as means of becoming involved with the decision-making process for Zatorze district. To get a clearer picture of the problem we conducted interviews with the inhabitants, activists, Neighborhood Councils and the local government.

We are responding to Zatorze’s problems by piloting a program for grassroots Neighborhood Self-governance. It’s an innovative and participatory method that assumes involving citizens, supporting local initiatives, creating a Neighborhood Bureau, and organizing regular consultation meetings with all the stakeholders. We will compose a social diagnosis that will help design the Neighborhood Bureau’s offer. We will also create a position of the neighborhood manager, an individual responsible for organizing meetings, surveys and coordinating animation initiatives and mini competitions on local initiatives. Together with the volunteers we will turn the Bureau into a meeting space for all the people of Zatorze, local organizations and the local government.

Olsztyn Municipality is our partner. The government expressed interest in searching for solutions to existing problems. This collaboration will help make our solutions more comprehensive and long-lasting.