Creation of a new NGO platform

Idrija, is a small former mercury mining and industrial town set in the Alpine foothills, which has developed into an important global and regional node with a growing economy.  Even so, Idrija displays classic shrinkage dynamic. The long-term decline of the population due to low birth rates and out-migration is 2,5% and by 2028 the total population is expected to be around 11.000. In 2016, Idrija participated in the URBACT City Centre Doctor Network, producing an Integrated Action Plan to revive the town centre. This included an idea for a new community centre. Idrija already had various local NGOs, a youth centre and a multi-generational centre in a retirement home, but each was relatively focused on its own agenda. The municipality was looking for a solution that would connect people, enable them to make decisions together, give them feeling of being part of the community and open new possibilities. The opportunity for a solution came with the Altenas’ good practice, more precisely with the NGO platform ‘Stellwerk’.