{"id":528,"date":"2016-04-24T17:05:41","date_gmt":"2016-04-24T15:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.transition-dialogue.org\/?p=528"},"modified":"2019-11-22T17:42:13","modified_gmt":"2019-11-22T16:42:13","slug":"how-painting-a-flor-may-change-peoples-mind-on-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/transition-dialogue.org\/ru\/country\/ukraine\/how-painting-a-flor-may-change-peoples-mind-on-community\/","title":{"rendered":"How painting a door may change peoples mind on community"},"content":{"rendered":"

The activists of \u201eDyvovyzhni\u201c use small tools to change the attitude of people. Like painting the entrance of an average apartment block. Sounds like no big deal? It is!<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

There are many stories on how people change their society or community for the \"Maria<\/a>better. However, most initiatives rely on people who made the first step to active citizenship themselves<\/em>. Maria Nasiedkina’s NGO \u201eDyvovyzhni\u201c is a wonderful example of a different kind. <\/b><\/p>\n

Find Dyvovyzhni on Facebook<\/a> or visit the Website<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The typical entrance of an five-storage apartment block looks rather neglected. The stairs have started to crumble. The initial painting has faded, doors and walls are covered with the scraps of advertisement and graffiti. There is litter around. Inside, the corridor is usually no better…<\/p>\n

\u201eThe typical attitude of the inhabitants is, that always someone else should do something about it. The the administration, the mayor…\u201d, says Maria. She and her fellow activists want to engage the people in the particular house to take action themselves, and — by doing this — to develop an attitude of involvement and responsibility towards their very community. To understand, that they actually can make change<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are at first usually suspicious. They wonder, ‘Who are you?’, ‘Why would you want to spend money on this?’, ‘Are you political?’\u201d Dyvovyzhni’s approach is to find a person in or outside the house who is connected to the inhabitants. This person does the first step to the people and helps building trust. \u201cWe only work with people who have sympathy for our idea.\u201d So, sometimes it is a long way until the inhabitants meet and paint the walls of the entrance in a common effort.<\/p>\n

What motivates people \u2013 some lessons learned<\/b><\/p>\n

After such a project is finished\u00a0Dyvovyzhni provides a kind of toolbox for the people involved to keep on working in that spirit of community and engagement they have just developed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no red button to activate community\u201d, says Maria. But she has a few tips and learnings for those who want to:<\/p>\n