18 Clean Neighborhood, Responsible Future

Number of votes
: 7,014

1. Your project in two lines

"Clean Neighborhood, Responsible Future" is a citizen-led project aimed at raising awareness among young people about keeping their neighborhood clean and fostering a spirit of intergenerational learning through litter cleanup activities.

2. The objective of your project

The project’s goal is to empower young people aged 12 to 16 to take responsibility for waste management and neighborhood cleanliness, while raising awareness among younger children and encouraging parental involvement in a spirit of solidarity and knowledge-sharing.

3. Your Project in Detail

The idea for this project arose from various observations on the ground. Many parents have expressed their dissatisfaction—through direct conversations or comments on the neighborhood’s Facebook group—regarding the trash that regularly litters the ground. Even some of the younger children have noticed the situation and spoken up about it. This is a recurring problem, not only in our neighborhood in Lausanne but also in many other neighborhoods facing the same challenges with cleanliness and incivility.

The neighborhood lacks public trash cans, which is a major contributing factor to the problem. It is in this context that this project is essential for keeping the neighborhood clean. In my role in the neighborhood, I wanted to think about what we could do to try to change things. This reflection was also inspired by a conversation I had while cleaning up after the neighborhood festival last summer. While talking with some children who helped me pick up trash after the festival, I could sense their disappointment with the behavior of other children who don’t care about keeping the area clean. These young people were very sensitive to the importance of cleanliness and nature, and protecting the planet came up repeatedly in our conversation. I sensed a genuine awareness in them, and it was partly thanks to that discussion that I was encouraged to develop this project.

This project is proposed by the Association des Habitants des Fiches Nord, which is made up of volunteers, including parents from the neighborhood. Throughout the year, these individuals dedicate themselves to organizing events and initiatives to make our neighborhood more pleasant and vibrant for everyone. Their commitment deserves to be recognized and commended, as it is thanks to their work that projects like this one can come to fruition and contribute to the well-being of the community.

The “Clean Neighborhood, Responsible Future” project aims to establish a monthly neighborhood cleanup initiative, led by a social services professional. Each month, six young people aged 12 to 16 will participate in these sessions, where they will learn about environmental issues and be encouraged to share their knowledge with younger children (ages 7 to 11). Parents in the neighborhood will contribute by preparing a snack after each session, thereby fostering a sense of community and strengthening community involvement. Cleanup supplies will be provided by the “Parks and Walkways” department of the City of Lausanne.

The expected impact is a visible reduction in waste, increased civic engagement among young people, and the creation of intergenerational bonds within the neighborhood. The project will run for three years (2025–2028) with a total budget of CHF 3,000, covering compensation for young participants and a closing celebration to recognize their commitment.

4. The amount requested to carry out the project

CHF 3,000

• Year 1: Compensation for young people (6 young people, 10 CHF each, once a month): CHF 720.-

• Year 2: Compensation for young people (6 young people, 10 CHF each, once a month): CHF 720.-

• Year 3: Compensation for young people (6 young people, 10 CHF each, once a month): CHF 720.-

• Closing celebration after 3 years to celebrate the work accomplished: CHF 840.
  

5. Neighborhood(s)

North Information Sheets

6. The Association

Association of Residents of Fiches Nord