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Description
“Shedia@CITY: From isolation to social integration” is an innovative project for the social activation of our fellow citizens who come from socially vulnerable groups such as homeless, urban poors, unemployed and generally social groups who are socially isolated. These are the project’s main target group. For them and with them, the project team will organize re-use/upcycling workshops (taking advantage of the undistributed issues of the Shedia street magazine in order to create new sustainable products as well as participatory design workshops, interactive urban tours made by homeless and public awareness events for defending human rights. Then, the beneficiaries themselves will act as trainers and community leaders and in turn, will train more people and the general public.
The core of the project is the creation of a hub for social awareness and human rights defense as well as meeting point of contextualized social innovation, education/training direct action for supporting human rights.
“Shedia@CITY” project is therefore, an innovative project of social activation, integration and interaction that has at its core the defense of human rights, with an emphasis on the access to education and work (through skills training and development) for vulnerable and excluded social groups as well as equal participation (regardless of age, income, nationality, gender etc).
As part of the project, Diogenis NGO will take the main burden of activating the beneficiaries through the project’s training and other activities. Commonspace will assist in their education and training, through participatory design workshops and Social Solidarity Economy coaching, development and advising. Both partners will focus on dissemination activities, together with the project’s beneficiaries so to design and implement campaigns for the defense of human rights addressed to the general public.
Summary of project results
The project focused on addressing specific social challenges affecting vulnerable groups, particularly individuals facing homelessness, unemployment, migration, and poverty. These groups often lack access to fundamental human rights such as housing, stable employment, personal security, and social inclusion. In particular, the project targeted individuals who are socially isolated and experience significant barriers to reintegration into the workforce and society. By providing training in upcycling non-functional materials, such as used paper, into valuable and functional products, the project aimed to equip these individuals with skills that could potentially lead to employment, while simultaneously fostering a sense of dignity and community.
Throughout the 24-month project, extended by 8 months for additional actions, the initiative implemented over 30 Shedia Art upcycling workshops in collaboration with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the public, and schools in Athens. These workshops provided both practical skills in paper upcycling and education on the Social and Solidarity Economy. Notable organizations engaged in the project included Generation2.0 RED, Diogenis NGO in Thessaloniki, Stand with Refugees, Actionaid Hellas, and others. Educational institutions such as the 1st Experimental Junior High School of Athens, Hill School, and others participated in the workshops.
Key actions implemented included:
- 30+ upcycling workshops for CSOs, schools, and the general public.
- 4 workshops on Social Solidarity Economy, Social Impact, and Social Participation.
- 18 Participatory Planning workshops in schools as part of a campaign to combat urban poverty and social exclusion.
- 14 participatory walks titled "See the city differently."
- 3 open debates on human rights defense at Shedia.
Communication and outreach activities were an integral part of the project, featuring the development of audio-visual materials, presentations, participation in exhibitions, and radio broadcasts. A series of capacity-building training sessions were also held for Diogenis NGO staff, and management capacities were continuously renewed.
- The project successfully empowered beneficiaries through skill-building and fostered a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized individuals. Homeless participants gained both technical skills and self-confidence, enabling them to participate more fully in society and increase their employability. The workshops not only provided participants with practical tools but also fostered connections with others who cared about their situation, creating hope and a sense of solidarity.
Additionally, some beneficiaries functioned as youth leaders, sharing their personal stories with students and inspiring younger generations to become socially conscious and active citizens. This approach was designed to nurture future leaders with tools and awareness to tackle social issues.
The project''s Shedia Art initiative succeeded in integrating homeless individuals into broader society by providing visibility, inclusion, and participation in public life. The number of beneficiaries and workshops exceeded initial targets, further demonstrating the project''s broad impact and potential for long-term social change.