Nowy Port is the former industrial and worker neighborhood of Gdańsk, which is currently undergoing a second phase of revitalization. At the heart of the neighborhood there is a block of low-income housing units whose inhabitants have a very limited influence over the development of their immediate environment, currently in a derelict state. We would like to change that by creating a systemic model of citizen participation in the governance of the neighborhood. We will take into consideration current challenges relating to the diversity of the groups involved, as well as social exclusion. The project is addressed to the members of our community, and the solutions will be implemented as a pilot program that later will be replicated on the city-level.

We will identify the needs pertaining to civic engagement among the community of Nowy Port. Together with the citizens, we will promote the concept of the participation model across the neighborhood. After the informational meetings are concluded, we will organize educational classes during which the participants will learn about the reach and competences of different institutions and organizations operating in Nowy Port, their representatives, and tools for civic engagement, such as participatory budgets, legislative initiative, or Gdańsk Neighborhood Fund. Together, we will create a participation model for working with the citizens and other stakeholders that is based on the four following pillars: Collaboration, Inclusion, Strengthening, and Visibility. We will create tools and methods for engaging the citizens in making decisions about the development of the neighborhood. Finally, we will pilot the program and advocate to make it widespread within the development policy of the city of Gdańsk.