In the spring of 2001, the city of Alba Iulia was named Cleanest City of Romania, and was recognized as having one of the most well-managed downtowns in the country, with green public spaces, attractive historical markers, and recycling and garbage collection bins on the main streets. In the outlying neighborhood of Barabant, however, there was a dramatic difference. Garbage was strewn along the streets and the Ampoi River. The formerly rural neighborhood, now on the periphery of the sprawling city, has 300 households, and nearly 30 percent of the population is school-aged. The community is ethnically and religiously mixed and includes Romanians and Hungarians, as well as Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox congregations.

City officials were initially unwilling to accept responsibility for garbage collection in outlying areas. In response, Partners-Romania designed a program with other NGOs to facilitate cooperation between citizens of Barabant and local government officials. First, Partners-Romania trainers and consultants designed and conducted two trainings, one on managing conflicts and differences and the other on participatory planning, for members of local NGOs. Partners-Romania provided technical and financial support to the local NGOs during the entire implementation period of the project.

Next, Partners-Romania interviewed Barabant citizens about the garbage collection and disposal problems in their neighborhood. The survey revealed that citizens were most concerned about the environmental impact of the trash along the riverbed. They knew little about recycling, but indicated a willingness to participate in a recycling program supported by the city.

At the same time, NGO facilitators identified community leaders who could be included in the project. The NGOs also organized an exhibition, attended by many of Alba Iulia’s city officials, in which children’s drawings representing a clean Barabant were shown. The children also created artwork using discarded objects collected from the riverbed. Visitors to the exhibit received flyers explaining the recycling system, and the project was also described in local media coverage of the show.

After successfully raising awareness about the problem and gaining the attention of local authorities, facilitators organized a series of meetings attended by the main stakeholders. These included representatives from Barabant, the local schools and the garbage collection company, as well as officials from the Alba Iulia municipality, the Environment Protection Agency, and the Romanian Waters Agency. After discussion of the problem, local officials and the garbage collection provider expressed a willingness to extend the garbage collection into Barabant if households signed contracts to pay for the service. A plan was developed for children and adults in the neighborhood to join with the waste management company in cleaning up the riverbed. An advertising campaign was developed to promote the recycling plan.

The project was a success. Garbage collection was instituted for households that had signed contracts. Local schools proved to be a major influence in the campaign to clean up Barabant. Penalties for littering and a volunteer patrol force were proposed to keep the area clean, but the inspiration provided by the children’s enthusiasm for a clean neighborhood proved to be enough. The role of local schools as an agent for positive change was demonstrated, and social cohesion and mutual support among community members was strengthened.