REAL

Sustainable Growth: Building for the Future
Sustainable growth means improving today’s world in a way that doesn’t harm future generations. It’s about balancing economic development with protecting the environment and supporting people’s well-being. REAL focuses on:

• Managing Resources Wisely: Making sure communities use their resources efficiently so they don’t run out and are better prepared for shortages.
• Long-Term Economic Stability: Creating a strong economy that can keep going, even during difficult times.
• Protecting the Environment: Taking steps to protect the environment, like caring for natural habitats, which helps prevent disasters and supports healthy ecosystems.

Sustainable growth is key because it helps communities stay strong and stable over time, even when facing crises or changes.

Social Cohesion: Bringing People Together
Social cohesion is about creating communities where people get along, trust each other, and work together toward common goals. It helps communities respond quickly and effectively to challenges. REAL promotes:

• Strong Relationships: Building trust and close connections between people, which helps everyone work together in tough times.
• Inclusion and Fairness: Making sure that everyone in the community feels included, valued, and supported, so there’s less conflict and tension.
• Helping Each Other: Encouraging people to look out for one another, which provides a safety net when times are hard.

When communities are united and everyone feels like they belong, they are stronger and better able to overcome challenges together.

Active Engagement: Getting Involved and Making a Difference
Active engagement means that people participate in their communities, share their ideas, and contribute their time and effort to solving problems. REAL focuses on:

• Community Involvement: Giving people a voice in decision-making so the solutions reflect everyone’s needs and have broad support.
• Working Together: Encouraging collaboration and teamwork to address issues in the community.
• Empowering People: Supporting individuals to take leadership roles and act on behalf of the community, which makes the community more flexible and able to respond to changes.

When people actively participate in their communities, they help create solutions that work for everyone, making their community stronger.

How Sustainable Growth, Social Cohesion, and Active Engagement Work Together
Sustainable growth, social cohesion, and active engagement each play an important role in making communities stronger. By focusing on these three areas, the REAL project helps communities:

• Stay strong in the face of challenges
• Adapt quickly to changes
• Recover more easily from crises

Together, these efforts create a stronger foundation for communities, helping them face the future with confidence.

What the REAL Project Aims to Achieve
The REAL project has several key goals:

1. Identifying Challenges and Learning from Successes:
   We will study what stops communities from being resilient and look at successful examples of strong communities. This will help us create educational resources and policy recommendations for the EU.
2. Building Skills for Leaders:
   We will offer training and educational materials to community leaders, CSO representatives, and volunteer managers. These resources will help them develop leadership skills, strategies for engaging people, and plans for making their communities stronger.
3. Providing Digital Tools for Learning and Networking:
   We will create digital tools, including a website and online learning materials, to help community leaders connect, share knowledge, and learn from each other across countries.
4. Raising Awareness Across Europe:
   We will run campaigns and events across Europe to spread the word about why active engagement and resilience are so important for communities.

How the Project Helps Communities
By working together, these activities will:

• Help community leaders and managers become better at building strong, resilient communities
• Provide tools and training to improve community involvement and leadership
• Spread awareness across Europe about why it’s important for everyone to get involved in their community

In the end, the REAL project will make communities across Europe stronger and better able to face future challenges.