Project for community spirit in Gammelbacka
The project for community spirit is a three-year development project that aims to strengthen inclusion, community spirit, and preventive activities in the Gammelbacka area.
In the project, the expertise of residents and entities is used in developing the services of the city of Porvoo, and for supporting self-motivated activities and equal opportunities to social participation.
Key actions:
- Employing a community coach: The aim is to establish inclusive activities in the area, like clubs, groups, excursions, and exercise, which are suitable for people of all ages. An information desk and a multi-professional regional group will also be launched.
- Employing a youth worker for schools: The work focuses on the schools and classes in the area, and pupils in grades 3–6 in particular. The goal is to strengthen community spirit, team spirit, and emotional and interaction skills. The work also includes camps, excursions, and cooperation with youth work.
- Inclusive seasonal lights project: This is implemented together with the residents to bring light and community spirit in the area.
- Community art project (2027): The aim is to strengthen local identity and to highlight Gammelbacka’s neighbourhood status in a positive light in connection of the process of change in the area. The project also supports tourism supply in Porvoo.
The project for community spirit is supported by Gammelbacka’s K-market.
Residents’ council
The City of Porvoo wants to know how the residents of Gammelbacka themselves would develop this residential area. For this purpose, a residents’ council will be established.
We want to include a wide variety of people in the residents’ council. The aim is to have people of different ages, native languages, and life situations participating in roughly the same proportions as these groups are represented in the Gammelbacka neighborhood. In order for the residents’ council to represent the residents of Gammelbacka as well as possible, the panel members are selected from among the applicants by means of a quota-based random selection.
The council’s activities are guided by civic engagement professionals.
Gammelbacka’s community coach
The role of the community coach is part of the three-year project for community spirit that aims to develop permanent and functional community structures within the area. The actions are based on strong cooperation with residents, associations, and various actors in the area.
There is an information desk at the library’s reading room at the Gammelbacka community centre, where the community coach can be best reached on Tuesdays. The information desk provides information, advice, and guidance on everyday issues and a way to get to know the services and activities of the area.
The community coach coordinates and arranges activities that promote community spirit or can assist with implementing ideas.
Objectives of the community coach’s activities:
- Strengthening community spirit and supporting inclusion
- Bringing services closer and making them familiar
- Promoting the integration of immigrants
In the work of the community coach, people are at the centre – meeting them, listening and doing things together. Welcome to build a vibrant and inclusive community together!