| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY The assessment of the impact of an ECS project is often limited to quantitative indicators, which, while useful for analysing short-term results, have significant limitations. These approaches do not adequately capture long-term socio-cultural changes, ignore the uniqueness of the city and do not provide practical insights for sustainable impact. While qualitative methods offer deeper analysis, their application is still limited. Research highlights the positive impact of ECS on communities - strengthening local identity, promoting volunteering, increasing cultural engagement and building social cohesion. However, it is often not taken into account whether the mechanisms and engagement practices developed remain active after the end of the project. In order to ensure the long-term impact of ECS projects, it is necessary to develop methodologies that not only measure short-term results, but also help to ensure the continuity and long-term legacy of activities. This is relevant for both policy makers and communities, as only sustainable projects can make a significant contribution to social and cultural development. Subject: the impact of the European Capital of Culture project on community empowerment. The purpose of master thesis: to analyse the impact of the European Capital of Culture project on community empowerment. Objectives: 1. To systematise the knowledge about the concepts of community and community empowerment, the characteristics of community empowerment; 2. 2. to define the attributes of community empowerment; 3. To develop a framework for assessing the impact of the European Capital of Culture project on communities 4. To empirically test the model by analysing the impact of the Kaunas - European Capital of Culture 2022 project "Contemporary Elderly" on the empowerment of communities in Kaunas district. Methods: The data from the document analysis and interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis, while the data collected through the questionnaire survey were analysed using statistical analysis methods (descriptive analysis). Results: The analysis of the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) projects has highlighted the importance of empowering communities, strengthening their capacity to solve problems on their own, to build social ties and to contribute to sustainable development. Community empowerment is based on social cohesion, active cooperation with institutions and the promotion of cultural identity. The KEKS2022 project has made a significant contribution to strengthening communities in Kaunas District by promoting member engagement, capacity building and social solidarity. Project activities - from festivals to workshops - developed teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, but also revealed the need to improve skills in financial management, youth involvement and continuity of activities. While the project has generated significant social and cultural impact, its experience underlines the need to develop leadership, increase the inclusion of vulnerable groups and ensure the long-term sustainability of the initiatives developed. |
