Date of label : 29/10/2024
Young girls painting a bench.
Summary
Účka is an innovative community engagement programme in Ústí nad Labem (CZ) that incentivises active citizenship and sustainable development. By rewarding residents with Účka credits for participating in various volunteer activities, the project fosters a sense of community, enhances public spaces, and supports local businesses. This initiative not only improves the quality of life for residents, but also strengthens social bonds and promotes environmental responsibility. The aim of the Účka initiative is to create a more connected, vibrant, and sustainable city where every citizen has the opportunity to contribute and be rewarded for their efforts.
The solutions offered by the Good Practice
The Účka initiative:
- Organises volunteer activities to enhance public spaces.
- Rewards volunteers taking part in these activities with Účka credits to spend in local shops.
- Supports local businesses through the reward scheme.
- Creates a sense of ownership of public spaces, and enhances social cohesion.
Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach
The Účka initiative uses an integrated approach to tackle urban challenges by addressing environmental, economic, and social aspects simultaneously.
Environmental: Účka organises volunteer activities, such as community clean-ups, tree planting, and other ecological projects, directly improving public spaces and promoting environmental stewardship. These efforts enhance urban sustainability.
Economic: Účka supports local businesses by incorporating them into the reward system. Volunteers are rewarded with Účka credits that can be spent in participating shops. This stimulates the local economy, boosting local entrepreneurship and reducing economic inequalities.
Social: The initiative encourages residents to participate in volunteer activities, fostering a sense of community and social cohesion. Účka promotes inclusivity by engaging a diverse range of community members, including marginalised and underrepresented groups. Through various volunteer activities and educational workshops, residents develop new skills and gain valuable experiences, contributing to personal and community growth.
By intertwining these three aspects, Účka creates a holistic and sustainable model for urban development. This enhances the quality of life for residents, while fostering a more connected, vibrant, and resilient community.
Based on participatory approach
Účka started by consultations with residents to ensure the initiative meets real community needs. Regular meetings and feedback sessions enable ongoing improvements based on residents’ input. Residents helped design volunteer activities and the digital platform, ensuring user-friendly, relevant solutions. A pilot phase in select neighbourhoods tested the programme, gathering feedback to refine the initiative before city-wide implementation.
- Residents participate in volunteer activities and shape project improvements, providing feedback through surveys, meetings, and direct communication with coordinators.
- Local businesses partner in the reward system, offering goods and services for Účka credits, and promote the initiative to stimulate local economic activity.
- Non-profit organisations and community groups help organise volunteer activities, recruit volunteers, and provide expertise and resources.
- The municipal government leads the project, aligns it with city strategies, and provides logistical and financial support, working closely with all stakeholders.
- Educational institutions help integrate volunteers into the project.
What difference has it made?
The Účka initiative tackled community disengagement, economic stagnation, and environmental issues, with significant local benefits:
Community participation: 5 000 residents now actively volunteer.
Local economy: Local businesses reported a 20% increase in customer engagement due to the reward scheme.
Environmental improvements: Numerous public spaces have benefitted from tree planting and clean-up activities.
Before Účka, community engagement was low, and local businesses struggled. Since its launch, civic participation and support for local businesses have increased, while surveys revealing a 30% rise in residents' sense of belonging. The initiative has made the city cleaner and greener, boosting community spirit, local economies, and sustainability for many residents.
Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities
The Účka initiative offers a model for other European cities facing the common urban challenges of community disengagement, sustainability, and economic development. By incentivising volunteering, Účka boosts community participation and cohesion, promotes sustainability through improved public spaces, and supports local businesses through a business-backed reward system.
Účka contributes to international policy goals:
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals).
- Urban Agenda for the EU, by promoting inclusivity, supporting local businesses, and encouraging environmental stewardship.
It operates within the specific context of the Ministry of Regional Development of the Czech Republic.
The Účka initiative can be amended for other cities, by adjusting volunteer activities, rewards, and operational frameworks to align with local cultural preferences and governance requirements. Customising the digital platform and partnerships with local businesses can enhance community engagement and sustainability, ensuring the practice meets each city’s urban and environmental goals.
For successful transfer to other cities, Účka requires adaptability, early stakeholder engagement, supportive infrastructure and digital platforms, knowledge sharing, policy alignment, and robust monitoring to ensure effectiveness and sustainability. Talks are underway for transfering the initiative to other cities in Czechia, including Prague and Zlin.