Description
Using art as a tool for social inclusion, this project’s objective is to integrate and drive social and cultural networks, intervening in socialization processes and developing new practices in the training, self-expression and civic participation areas. The project takes place in Campolide – Lisboa, which has neighbourhoods with a certain stigma. It targets senior and junior residents uprooted from their physical and human territory, and is focused in four areas: language, time, kin and identity, defined in an intergenerational perspective based on active citizenship and solidarity. The methodological matrix promotes intercultural dialogue, awareness-raising on the issues of gender equality, and equal opportunities, and the creation of a thriving social sustainability ecosystem. This partnership aims at increasing social intervention over vulnerable and socially excluded youth, providing continuity to these organizations’ earlier work.
Summary of project results
Campolide is a medium-sized historical parish of Lisbon. It has 15,460 residents (2011) and some challenging and unique contrasts. One of them is a particularly high percentage of single-person families. The recent Census of 2011 shows that of the 6,729 classic resident families, 2,427 are single-person households (a person living alone), which represents 37.1% of the total of classic households. More than a quarter (25%) of the population has higher education and another 17% have secondary or post-secondary education; but on the other hand, there are about 1,000 residents, mostly elderly people, who do not have any level of formal education. The population is aged, with slightly more people over 65 years old than under 24. There are significant ethnical minorities in the parish and three socially stigmatized neighbourhoods. The project has developed a number of intergenerational practices using culture and art as a major tool to promote social cohesion, solidarity between generations, spirit of belonging and democracy. Activities carried out exceeded the set targets – there were 282 sessions of inter-generational promotion; 527 artistic workshops and 117 hours of volunteers training. Young people have found new talents and skills (and in many cases improved their self-esteem) through artistic practices; while seniors understood they have still a lot to give to the community. New relationship patterns between generations have been created and new functions have been proposed for some neglected areas of the territory – new ways of living together in a more cohesive society. For the promoter NGO, there were also very useful lessons learned on management of a large partnership between public and civil society organisations; and from working on a territory with challenging features.
Summary of bilateral results