Village Development Plans: Presenting a base model of an instrument of village assocations to achieve self defined goals

Formal: National Regional Local Informal: Village Association Democratic bodies Formal: National Regional Local Informal: Village Association

Village associations: Non-political, voluntary organisations that: Execute projects Provide a legal person for initiatives of villagers Communicate with local government Represent the village Make plans for the village ‘Ruling our own future!’

What is a VDP? A Village Development Plan (VDP) is a plan outlining the desired developments - according to the inhabitants – for the quality of life within the village and in the immediate surroundings.

A VDP: Identifies issues affecting the community – social, environmental and economic. It’s a statement about how a community sees itself developing over the next few years and what actions are needed to achieve that vision.

What issues/topics? Amenities, traffic, housing, sense of community, recreation and sport, nature, children etc.

Characteristics of a Village Development Plan For the whole village and supported by the village 10-15 ahead Comparison of the VDP to other villages

Benefits of a VDP: What are the benefits of a VDP For all villagers, individuals and the local government?

Benefits of a VDP: Framework for village association For all villagers: Framework for village association Supported by whole village-> bigger chance of implementation of plans Enhanced social cohesion Respond to government plans  Increased self awareness/confidence/determination Enhanced local democracy  

Benefits of a VDP: For Individuals: Using /Learning skills More involvement to local matters   For the (local) government: A VDP can help to realise goals (provide a framework) Leaving responsibility and tasks to villages

Approach/Getting started 1. Village association 2. Gives assignment for a VDP 3.Establishing working group 4.Leads the process of making the VDP 5.Delivers the finished VDP

Step 1: Defining topics: Why a VDP? What does the village mean? What are the main themes? What is the time-frame?

Step 2: Getting everybody involved   What parties should have a say in the themes chosen? Inhabitants, local business people, clubs, schools, elderly people etc. Hard to involve groups: Youth, parents of young children, carers of housebound relatives, people with disabilities

Meeting youth...  

Step 3: Collecting information Making an inventory by: Brainstorm Survey Kitchen table discussions Panel of experts   Combination of methods!? (sometimes more information needed) Other ways of expression?

Kitchen table discussions

Step 4:List of ideas Making list of ideas complete Grouping raw data (bundling ideas) ‘Shaping ideas’ (advantages, disadvantages of solutions, add figures)

Step 5: Implementation/structure Describing topics: Current situation (positive and negative) Desired situation (what and why) Solutions (what needs to happen in order to achieve the desired situation) Action list (general overview of who / partners, what and when of the solutions described) Level of priority chosen by villagers  

Step 6: Drawing up the VDP What led to the development of a VDP? Steps followed and results A description of the main topics: context, problem, possible solutions, etc. Short, middle and long-term planning Follow-up steps, project groups, co-operation Appendices: participants in working groups, results of inventories, etc Illustrations (photos, maps).

Step 7: Presentation Creating and using momentum! Presentation to: Villagers Municipality Local press Forming working groups?

Approximately 6 months, depending on varieties of plan making Costs? Time and costs Approximately 6 months, depending on varieties of plan making Costs?

Communication Creating support outside village: Inviting parties to initial meeting Keeping them notified at every step along the way. Consulting on preparations for plans. Key partner is local government, what do you expect from them?

Village development plan: possible actors

The outcome: a confrontation LP<->AP Area program Village Topic 1 Development proposal Plan EU-regislation proposal agreements Topic 2 Government policy proposal plans proposal Market parties Topic 3 plans proposal Trends Rapports Local program Lp-ap

Follow up of the VDP Forming project groups: 1.Decision-making based upon VDP 2.Formulating 3.Financing 4.Realisation Does ownership of projects fits the villagers?

Role of Doarpswurk: Informing interested parties of the objectives of and reasons for a VDP Advising and helping on things such as approach/method, a step-by-step plan and structuring the organisation. Leading a village meeting/discussion and other tasks Acting as a ‘sparring partner’ in certain phases