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Description
The “Torre da Memória” project aims to involve 54 young and 54 elderly people in vulnerable situations living in the municipality of Esposende. The project is thus dedicated to the empowerment of vulnerable young people in the municipality, to the active ageing of the elderly in the local fishing community, and to promote the inclusion of both target groups. This project aims to significantly increase the linguistic, inter-relational, creative and social skills of the young participants, and to develop a greater offer of cultural and social activities for the elderly.
Summary of project results
The project "Torre da Memória" (Memory Tour) aimed to address several critical issues identified in the 2015 Social Diagnosis of Esposende. These included the urgent need to promote active aging among the elderly population, reduce the number of at-risk youth, and preserve the intangible maritime cultural heritage. The project responded to the increasing aging and dependency ratios, high dropout rates in basic education, and the decline of fishing communities, which face economic instability and cultural erosion.
In Esposende, the aging and dependency ratios have nearly doubled over 12 years, indicating a structural aging of the population. Among the youth, there is a high dropout rate from basic education and a lower gross enrollment rate in secondary education compared to regional and national averages. Coastal parishes show the highest percentages of these issues, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Additionally, despite several initiatives, there is no comprehensive effort to collect, preserve, and promote the intangible maritime cultural heritage, which remains largely oral. The rapid decline of fishing communities, characterized by economic instability, further underscores the urgency of this project.
The project was executed in multiple phases to address the identified needs. In the first phase, in partnership with the Fórum Esposendense (Maritime Museum of Esposende), elderly individuals and local entities/social structures were identified. Partners such as Centro Social João Paulo II, Centro Social ASCRA, Coro Sénior de Esposende, Mareada Associação, and Grupo Folclórico Ronda de Vila Chã collaborated in the interview component, allowing us to interview their users. Most elderly participants were contacted directly in the field, in cafes, local associations, or even at their residences.
In the second phase, 194 training sessions were conducted for 107 young people from organizations like ASCRA - Associação Cultural e Recreativa da Apúlia, School Cluster António Correia de Oliveira, Apúlia School, Rio Neiva Association, and School Cluster António Rodrigues Sampaio. These sessions included workshops on writing, multimedia, and artistic expression, such as painting, sculpture, and audio and video editing. The outcomes included paintings, sculptures made from recycled materials found by the sea, paper and digital zines, written and produced podcasts, a theater play "Memória das Águas," (Water Memories) and other artistic materials. These activities equipped the youth with practical skills and stimulated creativity and self-expression, essential for personal and social development.
In phase two, interactions between the youth and the elderly were enriching and transformative. Through interviews and collective activities, the elderly shared life stories, knowledge, and traditions about the sea and fishing life, while the youth collected these narratives using semi-structured interview guides, video cameras, and audio recordings. This work was conducted with one or two professionals from the promoter, with prior identification of themes, question guide construction, multimedia workshops, and on-site sessions. To reach the expected number of elderly individuals, the promoter conducted more in-depth interviews without the youth, extending the biographical interview work beyond the main cities (Esposende and Apúlia) to other parishes and collective groups (including local folklore groups, choirs, and associations).
In the third phase, the previously collected materials were processed primarily by the youth, who selected interview segments for the repository. This data processing was not just administrative but also a moment of training and raising awareness about intangible cultural heritage.
Finally, the fourth phase culminated in the creation and public presentation of the show "A Memória das Águas," (The Memory of the Waters) which was the result of the training and activities carried out throughout the project.
Regarding the capacity-building component, activities were developed to strengthen the skills of Harmonyrails'' human resources. These skills had visible impacts on the operational work of the association. Training played a fundamental role in improving the ability to respond to teamwork challenges, internal and external communication, and the overall organization of the association.
The introduction of document templates for internal and external communication was extremely beneficial. These standardized models significantly streamlined the communication process, resulting in less time spent on creating communication materials and more time available for other important tasks.
Digital marketing training was particularly relevant for increasing the entity''s visibility. Learning effective digital marketing strategies enhanced the ability to reach a wider audience and increase online visibility.
Mentoring and the governance model also played a crucial role in strengthening the leadership of the associations. Exposure to the ISO 9001 standard provided the leadership with a deeper understanding of quality standards and management tools, preparing them to lead their organizations more effectively in the future.
Additionally, training in time management and team management had a positive impact on the team, improving efficiency and cohesion. Training in digital marketing and WordPress also empowered the team to use digital tools more effectively, contributing to the growth and online visibility of the organizations.
Finally, the purchase of lighting equipment for shows had a positive impact on the artistic creation work of the quartet. This investment allowed the group to explore new creative possibilities and gain more independence.
The project achieved significant results through cultural and social activities such as interviews, intergenerational meetings, and theatrical productions, creating spaces for integration and sharing. This allowed community members to feel valued and included. A key aspect was the training of vulnerable youth. Through activities like writing, multimedia, and artistic expression workshops, 107 young people gained new skills and knowledge, enabling them to face future challenges and explore new personal and professional development opportunities. The project also promoted active aging among the elderly in the fishing community, providing cultural and social activities that facilitated their integration and active participation. Biographical interviews were conducted with 150 individuals aged between 60 and 90 years, preserving and disseminating the collective memory and maritime cultural heritage of Esposende through an accessible online repository. Although the goal of boosting the local economy by creating jobs, such as establishing a cultural association, was not fully achieved, the project indirectly strengthened the local economy by promoting cultural tourism and community involvement in cultural and social activities. Partnerships with local entities like the Maritime Museum of Esposende enhanced the use of the region''s unique natural and intangible heritage. The project also increased the cultural sector''s presence in Esposende''s commercial fabric through initiatives like launching a website/repository and hosting exhibitions, raising awareness and engaging the local community in valuing and promoting their cultural heritage.
The capacity-building component of the project was fundamental in strengthening the skills of our organization, significantly contributing to its long-term development and success.