Every year we receive various initiatives, maintain high resident activity in voting for projects, and community spirit and trust in local government are strengthening.
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This activity was perfectly demonstrated by the roller skating, skateboarding, scooter, and BMX bike track established in Prienai in the spring. The project idea gathered as many as 1376 votes. This is a huge number for our district, which has about 25 thousand residents. We allocated 35 thousand euros from the participatory budget for the project, and the remaining part – more than 65 thousand euros – was financed from the municipal budget. The track was built in just a few months: from autumn 2025 to May 2026.
Until then, there was no place in Prienai adapted for extreme sports, so young people exercised in playgrounds or streets. Implementing the project required balancing safety, technical solutions, and residents’ expectations – we wanted the space to be convenient for both beginners and advanced users.
In the same year, the Balbieriškis “Children’s Fun Park” also won in the district category, gathering 1389 votes. This is further proof that people vote for projects that create more attractive spaces for families.
In recent years, we have observed a change – residents increasingly come not with problems but with concrete ideas. Communities become partners, not petitioners. They see their region from the inside and know exactly what their settlement or village needs. They manage public spaces, organize cultural events, strengthen children’s and youth’s engagement, care for socially vulnerable groups, and initiate sports, wellness, and craft activities.
Our strategic goal is to create inclusive local governance where decisions are made not only in offices but also in conversations.
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Specific examples of this activity are the wellness spaces and cultural objects that appeared in Šilavotas, the day center for children with disabilities established by the leaders of “Aitvaro vaikai,” and the Veiveriai civic education camp “Lukšiukai.” The renovated “Revuona” stadium in Prienai has become an open sports space for all residents.
Such projects change not only the physical environment. They change people’s relationship with their place. When residents themselves contribute to the idea, that space becomes “ours,” not “someone else’s installation.”
More than 100 non-governmental organizations operate in the Prienai district, about 35 of which are sports organizations. If resident involvement doubled, in a decade we would see even livelier, cozier, and more distinctive settlements.
And finally, a small summary. The municipality alone cannot create everything. But the municipality together with the community can create a lot. Therefore, I always say simply: do not be afraid to start. It is not necessary to have a perfect project or know all the answers. Often a good idea starts with a simple thing: “We need this” and the desire to turn the idea into reality.
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