Laureates and finalists show that change in small towns and cities does not have to begin with major investments. Often, the starting point is attentiveness to local needs, dialogue and a willingness to act together—both on the part of residents and the authorities.
– Even a small village, if it has committed people, can deal with a difficult subject—or partner—in the common perception. Combining formal tools for action with cooperation among neighbors produces good results – says Grzegorz Wójkowski, coordinator of the Masz Głos campaign.
The winners and finalists of both awards were selected from among the 150 participants in last year’s Masz Głos campaign, which supports civic organizations and informal groups in building strong local communities. The groups’ activities in Lower Silesia were supported by Grzegorz Wójkowski and Karolina Ginejko from the Bona Fides Association for Civic Activity, coordinators of the Masz Głos campaign. Registration for this year’s edition of the program is open from February 16 to March 1 via the form on the Masz Głos campaign website.
Super Samorząd award finalist: Suszki (Bolesławiec municipality)
In Suszki, a small village of around 200 residents, the impetus for action was a forgotten monument dedicated to former residents who fell during World War I. Although it stands along a frequently used walking and cycling route, it remained invisible for years—hidden in overgrowth and difficult to access.
The women of the Suszki Rural Housewives’ Circle did not want to limit themselves to clearing the area “on their own.” They decided to hold formal discussions with the Bolesławiec Forest District, which owns the land, and to involve the municipality head and the municipal council in the efforts. As a result, they received permission to clear the site, began cleanup work, and secured a declaration from the municipality that it would seek to purchase the plot in the future.
Thanks to cooperation among the residents, the Forest District and the local government, the memorial site regained visibility and significance, and an educational trail is planned around the monument. The initiative from Suszki was a finalist for the Super Samorząd award as an example of a partnership between civil society and local authorities.
Super Głos award winner: Środa Śląska
The project “Wings You Cannot See,” carried out by the Włączeni Association in Środa Śląska, gave a voice to mothers of children with disabilities—a group whose experiences are rarely heard in the public sphere. The starting point was portrait photography, supplemented by authentic audio recordings featuring the protagonists’ personal stories.
The exhibition, whose final opening drew nearly 200 people, provided an opportunity to discuss families’ everyday lives, emotions, exhaustion and strength—things that are often invisible at first glance. The project was moving while also empowering the participants themselves. The Super Głos award jury recognized it for its courage, quality of execution and social impact—both on exhibition visitors and on the protagonists.
Awards and further activities
Winners of both awards receive PLN 3,000 each for social activities, commemorative statuettes and diplomas. The stories of both the winners and finalists will be published in this year’s “Atlas of Good Practices,” an annual publication of the Stefan Batory Foundation. The atlas presents examples of local initiatives from across Poland and serves as a practical compendium on how civil society actually works. The publication will be available free of charge in electronic form on www.batory.org.pl andwww.maszglos.pl
More information about the winners and finalists: www.maszglos.pl/o-uczestnikach/super-samorzad-i-super-glos/.