Programme: Government Programme for Supporting Non-Governmental Organisations – Power of Small Communities, Priority 1
Duration: 01.09.2025 – 30.11.2025
Project description:
The project “Action: MYrzec Municipality!”, implemented by the Step to Europe Association, is addressed to the residents of the Mirzec municipality in the Świętokrzyskie region. Its goal is to activate young people and the local community through educational, integrative, and civic activities carried out in all villages of the municipality – including those more distant from the main social and cultural centre.
The project responds to challenges such as low civic awareness, limited involvement of residents in local affairs, and a lack of integration between villages and generations. A special role is played by the Mirzec Municipal Youth Council, which will be trained to act as local leaders, co-organisers of activities, and facilitators of community engagement.
Project goals:
– Strengthening the competence and potential of the Mirzec Municipal Youth Council.
– Increasing civic activity among residents, especially young people.
– Including all villages in the social life of the municipality and equalising opportunities between localities.
– Developing a sense of agency, responsibility for the community, and awareness of civic rights.
– Integrating residents of different villages and generations around shared activities and local challenges.
– Building long-term foundations for cooperation between young people, institutions, organisations, and the local community.
Main activities:
- Workshops for the Mirzec Municipal Youth Council
Training sessions on teamwork, event organisation, conducting meetings, social communication, and initiating local activities. Young participants will prepare to take on the role of leaders and co-organisers of events in their villages. - Meetings and workshops in the 8 villages of the municipality
Activities in primary schools across all villages of the municipality. Topics include civic participation, social engagement, identifying local resources and challenges. During the meetings, a survey called “What is the strength of our municipality?” will be conducted, and ideas for Local Youth Initiatives will be developed. - Final event – “Resident’s Passport”
A field game and an event in the sports hall in Mirzec. Residents will visit stands of local institutions (fire brigades, schools, village women’s associations, NGOs), complete educational tasks, and collect stamps in a symbolic “Resident’s Passport”. The event aims to integrate the community and summarise the project’s activities.
ACTIVITIES
Preparatory workshop for the Mirzec Municipal Youth Council
We began the implementation of the project with a meeting of the Mirzec Municipal Youth Council held in the fire station in Tychów Stary. This was an important first step aimed at developing leadership and social skills among young people, integrating the group, and preparing them for the next stages of the project. We also discussed local identity and the values most appreciated within the Mirzec community.
The workshop started with icebreakers and integration exercises that helped participants get to know each other better and strengthen cooperation skills. The young councillors then learned about the project’s assumptions, goals, and planned activities – they will be co-organisers of all initiatives taking place in the municipality.
During the meeting, we conducted a brainstorming session in which we collectively planned the next steps of the project. An important part of the workshop focused on developing soft skills – the participants practiced public speaking, debating, expressing their thoughts clearly, and active listening.
We also discussed the question “What is the strength of our community?”. The young councillors shared their perspectives on the Mirzec municipality, highlighting its strong points, solidarity, and community potential.
Thanks to their participation in the workshop, the youth gained knowledge and skills necessary to actively co-create future stages of the project – such as meetings in primary schools and the final field game.
The project “Action: MYrzec Municipality!” was funded by the National Freedom Institute – Center for Civil Society Development under the Government Programme for Supporting Non-Governmental Organisations “Power of Small Communities.”