A project which would prepare East Ruimveldt residents for informed participation in civic and democratic life was on Thursday launched by Operation Restoration.
The project, ‘Coopera-tion for Community Transformation,’ which was declared open by Local Government Permanent Secretary Collin Croal at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre Tarmac, is seeking to target 6,000 households that make up the community.
It is being funded by the European Union at a cost of €126,662, under its Non State Actors programme.
Head of the Cooperation Department of the European Union Ewourt Sandker, said it was the EU’s goal to harness the power of civil society in the process of development and it was looking forward to the success of the two-year project.
Operation Restoration, a non-governmental organisation, is collaborating with the EU to implement the project in the communities so that residents would be ready to take “ownership of their communities” and to outline community needs.
It is being implemented through collaboration with four churches and residents in the East Ruimveldt community. The members will seek to create a community council through which the community can plan and manage initiatives, and build on conversation to implement community development.
They will also work to increase awareness of the access to social services that will enhance the lives of residents in the area.
