Good Practice - Project
Development of water entertainment in Vilkaviškis district
LEADER funds help create a water entertainment park with an inclusive, community-focused audience engagement strategy.
General information
RDP Priority
- P6. Social inclusion and local development
RDP Focus Area
- 6B: Local development
RDP Measure
- M19: LEADER/CLLD
Summary
After analysing the local recreation market and visitor experience, the ‘Pramoga ir taškas’ association noticed that the Vilkaviškis district (south west Lithuania) was lacking a water entertainment offer. LEADER funds provided by the Local Action Group (LAG) of the Vilkaviškis Region enabled the purchase of special equipment and vehicles that would allow the new water park to accommodate visitors, including locals and people with specific access and mobility needs.
Results
- The lack of water entertainment and recreation services has been addressed.
- The water park facilities are inclusive and accessible.
- Two jobs were created for local people.
Promoter
Association “Pramoga ir taškas”
Funding
Total budget 127 366.00 (EUR)
EAFRD 84 998.30 (EUR)
National/Regional 14 999.70 (EUR)
Private/own funds 27 368.00 (EUR)
Themen
Ressourcen
Documents
Context
The ‘Pramoga ir taškas’ Association was established in the Vilkaviškis district, south west Lithuania, in February 2021. Its aim is to provide entertainment services for people with disability and people at risk of social exclusion. An analysis of the local entertainment market and visitor experience revealed a lack of waterparks and water/swimming leisure opportunities. This led the Association to submit a project proposal to their Local Action Group (LAG), outlining an initiative that would address this issue and at the same time create new job opportunities for locals.
Objectives
This LEADER-funded project aimed to provide recreation services and create event hosting facilities for Lithuanian tourists and local people experiencing social exclusion. It also aimed to create local jobs.
Activities
LEADER funds were used to purchase:
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a boat with transport trailer and a nine-seater bus;
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a mobile sauna with tub;
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a mobile tub;
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a foam machine;
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a rubber boat with an outboard motor; and
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a micro water park (water trampolines).
The boat is adapted for people with physical disabilities but serves all visitors.
During the tourist season, one day each month the equipment is reserved for use by various local organisations who support people with disabilities. This free-of-charge service has also been made available to the Ukrainian war refugees displaced to the Vilkaviškis district.
The bus is used to provide a transportation service for people experiencing social exclusion, mobility issues and mental health difficulties: taking them to medical appointments, municipal services, places of leisure, etc.
At specific times during the season, the micro water park provides free entry for children from the Vilkaviškis district’s day-care centre.
Main results
- Thanks to this project, the ‘Pramoga ir taškas’ association was able to address the lack of water entertainment and recreation services in the Vilkaviškis district.
- They were able to incorporate a socially inclusive community focus to their audience engagement strategy, reaching those who would not otherwise be able to enjoy the new facilities.
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Two jobs were created for local people, thus reducing the number of unemployed people in the area.
Key lessons and recommendations
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Without support and consultation from the local LAG, the applicant would not have been able to prepare the project application or meet the reporting requirements of the implementation period.
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Due to the COVID-19 social distancing measures, which coincided with the project implementation period, the prices of goods and the terms of their production increased significantly. As a result, the association was obliged to seek additional funding.