The project helped establish partnership networks of NGOs and local authorities to raise awareness about housing issues, locally and globally. Habitat Bulgaria signed partnership contracts with 30 Bulgarian local authorities.“The more partnerships we create, the more our voice is heard and our opinion is respected. It is important to keep these partnerships alive in order to continue to grow together” (Habitat BG).

In Romania, the DEAR project triggered the first successful attempt by Habitat Romania to solicit volunteering outside the country. Closer ties have been built with Malawi, and upon their return from volunteering experiences abroad, volunteers have been more active in their local communities in Romania to sensitise and raise awareness about housing issues or sustainable development.

Across countries, activists themselves refer to “feeling better able to communicate the richness of [‘their’ organisation’s] work to others now” and to being committed long-term to project issues.