A local initiative offers an opportunity to mobilize the community and for local government to formally acquire a social partner in carrying out some of its own responsibilities, not necessarily using additional funds. It also provides a legal basis for activities that local government often already carries out together with residents.

A local initiative is addressed to residents of local communities. Here, residents means people living in a given place and having their “center of vital interests” there. Because a local initiative is intended as a grassroots activity by residents, it is this connection with the place that is crucial, not formal registration of residence.

When submitting an initiative, residents may act independently or seek the assistance of a non-governmental organization. The organization serves only as the residents’ representative. The residents themselves must organize, while the organization may represent them. This is an ideal tool for activities by local associations as well as informal groups, including, for example, rural women’s circles.

source: https://poradnik.ngo.pl/

The Marshal’s Office of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship also offers opportunities to carry out a local initiative by announcing competitions. The nearest competition is “Lower Silesian Small Grants”. As part of the competition, at least 40 grants of up to PLN 5,000 will be awarded for initiatives by informal groups. The competition is carried out by the Lower Silesian Federation of Non-Governmental Organizations.

Details of the competition can be obtained from the Lower Silesian Advisory Point in Bolesławiec, which operates at the Bolesławiec Economic Society (6D Bankowa Street; 59-700 Bolesławiec)

Point opening hours:

  • Tuesday: 8:00–15:00
  • Wednesday: 16:00–19:00

It is possible to arrange a meeting with an adviser at another time—contact tel. 530 500 481.

The Lower Silesian Advisory Point provides advice, among other things, on:

  • obtaining funding for activities (domestic and foreign sources)
  • writing and settling projects; reporting
  • accounting matters for non-governmental organizations
  • supporting and promoting the participation of non-governmental organizations in cross-sector partnerships
  • citizen advice, including establishing and dissolving non-governmental organizations
  • conducting the day-to-day activities of an organization
  • supporting cooperation between non-governmental organizations and public institutions.

“The Lower Silesian Advisory Points forming the Lower Silesian Non-Governmental Organization Advisory Network are co-financed from the budget of the Self-Government of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship”

More information about the Non-Governmental Organization Advisory Network can be found on the website of the Marshal’s Office (https://www.umwd.dolnyslask.pl/organizacje-pozarzadowe/dolnoslaska-siec-doradztwa-pozarzadowego/2018/)