Changing minds – Upgrading work

CKO background Began work in 1996 Significant history of successful

campaigns Continuous work in Zvolen Period 2011 – 2013 huge financial

problems Nearly died

CKO 2015 – structure Expanded organizing work to include

Sasova and Roma community Continued exchange program and

added Learning Circle Added work of supporting community

centers Began work addressing racism and

tolerance - NIOT

CKO new funding Local fundraising Norway grant US Catholic Bishops Fund City of Zvolen US Embassy Other smaller

Citizens Initiative Zvolen – funding

Local fundraising CKO (money from projects and grants) City of Zvolen Banks, big factories and companies Comunity foundation Zdravé mesto and

other Membership fee Raffle, neighbourhood ball, „flea market“ etc.

Chairperson

Core Group

Leaders(working groups)

Underpass

Crossing

Dog owners

...

Police District

„Cube“

Voljanského Street

Comissions

Youth

Media

Financial

Safety and prevention

Structure of Citizen iniciative Zvolen Západ

2013

CoreGroup

Leaders(working groups)

Underpass

Crossing

Dog owners

Voljanského Street

Police District

Cube

...

Comissions

Youth

Media

Financial

Safety and prevention

Annual events

Elections

Foundraising

Community Center

New members

1. Co-Chairperson

2. Co-Chairperson

Chairperson

Potential new organisations:1. Youth CI

2. Council of youth ZV

Structure of Citizen iniciative Zvolen Západ 2015

Community Center ZV (opened 21.10.2014)

1st CC in our region where the provider is NGO (CKO) – not city/municipality

„Home“ for all NGO´s and unformal groups

In first 6 months of existence more than 8 000 users Successful example for all other NGO´s

and cities

Addressing racism and intolerance - NIOT Growing problem in Slovakia CKO committed to addressing racism –

uncertain how Regional elections at end of 2013 results

in Neo-Fascist Activists searching for longer term

solution Suggested Not In Our Town and

eventually launched.

NIOT Principles Silence is assent State our own values Build broad coalition

NIOT activities 3 core annual events – conference,

cultural event, festival Regular discussions and presentations Included various religions in our work 4 areas include: Memory, Education,

Change and Community

Roma organizing Hired Roma organizer Direct connection to Exchange program Began work in two Roma settlements

and one overarching issue - safety Requires new ways of working and a

strategy for how to build organization

Lessons learned We began to change our minds about fundraising and

structure Diversity of funding and programs can significantly help Continuing to find new ways to bring new people into

work Opening Community Center has created “an ocean of

positive energy” Addressing directly some of the major social issues …

particularly in addressing racism Work resulted from commitment to address the problem

of racism and poverty Opened up new opportunities to sustain the work

Challenges ahead Secure sustainable funding for organizing Must expand fundraising to sustain new work as

well Still resistance to ask residents for money for

organization Need to address new issues of communication

within citizens’ initiative How to not lose focus on organizing as we

diversify programs Much more to learn about building organization

and fundraising