Let’s Create Warmth in Our Homes (Kodud koduseks)

The aim of the project is to make our living environment more attractive and to bring a positive change to the attitude of the local people towards their homes.

Our objective is to provide property maintenance services, such as gardening consultations and garden maintenance services. Our plan of action includes identifying and mapping the target group of the services, acquiring the equipment necessary to perform the work, compiling the price list which would help us cover the cost of fuel and the maintenance of equipment as well as ensure a minimum profit from the services. We would also advertise our services.

The services would be rendered by the unemployed, community service workers and volunteers. Our future goal is to create new jobs through the creation of a new enterprise that would take over the present services.

1. Location of the service and its description The services will be provided throughout the territory of Parish. Meeksi Parish is a rural municipality situated in the south-eastern corner of Tartu County and surrounded by Lake Peipus and Lake Lämmijärv. Territories of the Russian Federation can be seen from , a small borough in Meeksi Parish.

Meeksi Parish was first mentioned in 1819. It has an area of 144 km². There are nine villages and one small borough in Meeksi Parish. Most of the parish territory is covered by forests and bogs belonging to the Emajõe Suursoo Nature Reserve. The region is characterized by old settlements as well as cultural and ethnic diversity. Traditional ways of making a living include fishing and farming.

2. Target groups The target groups of the services include retired people, who cannot do gardening work (mowing lawns, clipping hedges, cutting trees) by themselves, as well as second home owners interested in our services. The aim is to provide services all year round. There are no other providers of similar much-needed services in our region.

3. Cooperation partners involved in implementing the project The applicant is MTÜ Selts (NPO Aravu Association). Our cooperation partners include: MTÜ Meeksi Maanaiste Selts (NPO Association of Rural Women of Meeksi), MTÜ Küla Selts (NPO Association of Meerapalu Village), MTÜ Mehikoorma Avatud Noorteklubi (NPO Open Youth Centre of Mehikoorma), the Rural Municipality Government of Meeksi and Private Limited Company OÜ Latikas.

4. Budget and funding The budget is currently being prepared.

Contact Project Manager Merike Paap Phone: 53434316 E-mail: [email protected]