Strengthen co-operation of representatives of local government and public advisory councils
In January and February of that year, representatives of the Rēzekne Municipality Advisory Councils (GDP) participate in online activities organised by the municipality of Rezekne in cooperation with the British Council representation in Latvia and the “Providus” domains. The objective of the activities is to promote THE co-operation of GDP and the municipality, to help GDP representatives to better understand the work of the local government and the possibilities of participation, as well as to provide recommendations for the activation of parish residents.
The activities take place within the framework of the project “Strengthening the Citizens' Consultative Councils in Rezekne District”. They are led by the League of Latvia's leading researcher, Stafecka and Agnes Friedenberg, specialists of the municipality of Rezekne.
In the first lesson, THE REPRESENTATIVES of the British Council in Latvia, under the direction of the Community Development adviser, Christine Leontieve, took an initiative to implement activities with the people of their parish, such as the presence of a meeting or the organisation of a population survey. Anita Birzniece, a member of the Dviete Community activist Elina Stapkevich and the association “demos”, shared spiritual experiences.
In the second lesson, which took part in Rēzekne District Council Vice-President Ērika Teirumnieka, the participants learned more about the decision-making process of the local government and the opportunities for the participation of the population.
In the third lesson, GDP represented a picture of the planning of development in the municipality and the way in which financial resources will be invested in projects. The subject was given by Brigita Arbidane, Deputy Head of the Rēzekne District Development Planning Department, and the site planner Inga Ūsidee.
On the other hand, in the fourth – concluding – course lesson, the participants will be aware of the development of the local government budget and the possibilities of the involvement of the population in the process. Sylvia Anchikovska, head of the Department of Finance and Accounting of Rēzekne, will be more informed about these issues.
By the end of March, representatives of the advisory councils of the population will be invited to apply new knowledge in practice and implement activities with the people of their parish in order to find out what is really topical for them. THE REPRESENTATIVES of GDP will receive advice and be eligible for financial support for the implementation of the activity.
About the project
Project “Strengthening the Citizens' Advisory Councils in Rezekne District” aims at promoting dialogue and the exchange of information between citizens, parish administrations and local government, as well as involving a wider number of local population in the decision-making process, with particular focus on the involvement of low-income people. As part of the project with the support of the British Council representative in Latvia from October 2022 to March 2023, educational seminars, workshops and experience exchange events are held in Rezekne municipality for representatives of local council and local government.
Photo: Inese mountainsņa