Local initiative – an unexploited potential or an effective instrument for citizens’ involvement in solving local problems? The example of Łódź

Abstract

Presentation of the research results undertaken within the framework of this study is to serve the primary aim which is to identify the potential of local initiative instrument in the context of enhancing citizens’ involvement in solving local problems. The main research method was a case study method based both on the analysis of quantitative data concerning projects implemented as a part of local initiative instrument in Łódź in 2013–2019, and additionally, on the analysis of qualitative data (content analysis) of individual projects that were carried out in this period. This analysis provides the possibility to determine the scale of the use of this tool in the process of co-creating urban spaces by local communities and, moreover, to indicate the basic types of activities undertaken by residents which allows to identify their basic needs and problems and, above all, proposals on how to ensure or solve them.