There was more than 10 000 tons of illegal waste lying around in Estonian nature. In October 2007, as a group of active citizens realised that something drastic needs to be done. We developed a special software and geomapped more than 10 000 dumping sites all over the country. And on 3rd of May 2008, engaging hundreds of organisations and more than 50 000 volunteers, we cleaned it all up in just 5 hours!
In order to make this project a success, we knew from the beginning that we needed strong partners from the private, public and third sector.
1. We put all the
garbage on the map to create the ugliest map ever!
2. Engaged partners from the private, public and NGO sector to participate in
the process.
3. Built up a network of local leaders who helped to plan and manage the
clean-up day locally.
4. Last but not least – the communication!
Some important dates were the 3rd of May–ÒBig Clean-Up DayÓ, and the 4th
of May–ÒThank-You concertsÓ in three biggest cities – Tallinn,
Tartu, Narva.
Who's behind it?
In addition to the biggest companies in Estonia, one of our strongest partners was Estonian Network of Nonprofit Organizations. We have also received financial and non-financial support from Ministry of the Environment of Estonia, the personal support from the President of Estonia and many other governmental organisations and institutions.
Read more at http://www.teeme2008.ee/?setlang=eng
See a video at: http://toru.ee/view/35f8390bcf2d
NEST BIG STEP:
This year 2009, part of the same team (me not so much) will organise on May 1st
ÒA national thinking party: My EstoniaÓ, where ca 100.000 people
are expected to gather in ca 500 places to think, inspire, get and give energy
and make promises how they will make Estonia a better place for
everybody. This could be Democracy 2.0 beta :)