End of summer has brought happy ending to one of 42 third Call projects – the project  No LLI-457 “Safe community” (full title “Improvement of living conditions in deprived cross border region by promotion of safe and responsible communities”) has been successfully closed by the Programme. Within the project its partners – the municipalities of Biržai and Aizkraukle – improved living conditions, life quality and safety in their communities. The activities started in 2020 and finished by the end of May this year.

Information campaigns for different groups of age and interests were organised in seven locations of Biržai region and five locations in Aizkraukle. Over 250 local people took part in these activities and learned about benefits of the safe neighbourhood, they were encouraged to be socially responsible and active in cooperation among themselves and with institutions. Also employees of both municipalities and parishes responsible for public order, safety, communication and cooperation with communities exchanged experiences and got acquainted by visiting each other during two study trips this spring.

Partners have enhanced cooperation and communication inside and among communities and not only promoted the idea of safe neighbourhood, but also installed 95 video surveillance cameras in different parts of Aizkraukle and 24 in seven villages of Biržai district. Aizkraukle’s police officers have received  two body cameras intended to improve interactions between officers and the public.

Project partners estimate that the project will positively affect over 7 500 persons: 3 500 inhabitants of Biržai rural parishes, and 3 000 residents of Aizkraukle.

All of Programme’s projects have to finish their implementation by 30 June, 2023 and all projects must be closed by the Programme by 30 June, 2024. The Programme however expects most of the projects to be closed by the end of next year.