Project for the creation of non-governmental sports organizations network „KNOTS“

Project KNOTS was being implemented from Jan 1 2018 till June 31, 2018. The objectives were set and reached:1. Agreements with the five organizations signed.2. A network of five non governmental organizations established. Each organization has elected a representative in charge of project implementation. Contact database was created, informal online meetings have been organized in order to discuss the process of the project implementation. 3. Mobility of the network members had been ensured. The four meetings and practical workshops were followed by a joint conference. In total 68 participants (40 participants of the local organization and 28 of the partner organizations) have attended. During the meetings the members of the KNOTS network took part in the activities of other organizations, improved their competence in management of the NGOs, problem solving skills, attracting new members, training the beginners as well as working with volunteers and organizing the sports events, finally, they took part in trainings both on land and at the sea as fully fledged crew members.First meeting took place in Latvia on 2-6 May, 2018. There were 4 attendees from partner organizations and 6 members of the "STA Latvia". The members of both parties shared their experience of project management, member and volunteer attraction and in activity coordination, and they also participated in seasonal launching of the sport yacht "Spaniel". Next day the participants had their sea sailing practice. Next meeting took place in Estonia on 17-21 May, 2018. There were 4 attendees from partner organizations and 2 members of the "STA Estonia” who presented their activity, project implementation, the role of the social media and the "Watch leader" program. Participants had several day practice of sailing with the Estonian Maritime Academy which is a partner and collaborator of the "STA Estonia". Further, a meeting took place in Svendborg, Denmark on 10-17 September, 2018. There were 3 attendees from partner organizations and 2 members of the receiving party. The members had an opportunity to sail for one week with the crew of the sailboat "Fylla" and to participate in a biggest wooden sailboat regatta in the North Sea. It was part of the actual presentation of "Sailing Democracy" project run by organization "YO-YO". A meeting in Genova (Italy) was held on 22-25 September, 2018. There were 4 attendees from partner organizations and 16 members of the receiving organization. During the meeting participants shared their views on project management, volunteer involvement. Participants had an opportunity to visit international marine exhibition and to attend courses at the Italian navy organization as well as to take actual part in sailing of the historical "Magoo" sailboat. 4. The final meeting of the network members took place in Klaipeda, Lithuania. There were 13 attendees from partner organizations and 12 members of the receiving organization. During the conference discussion focused on occurring NGO issues as well as good practices. Participants engaged in the ice sledge race. The final day of the conference was dedicated to future cooperation plans and preliminary project outlines. 5. An online database exchange platform has been designed and joined by 10 members of the five project member-organizations. The total of the database amounts to 200 documents. It allows effective exchange of the information, access to visual materials and sharing useful experience. 6. The project had a wide spread publicity campaign. The logo and banners were set. The announcements were placed in each organization’s website. A social media profile received 223 followers in a short time. Press releases reached various sport oriented medias.