Project addresses a challenge to integrate multi-dimensional society at the Praga district of Warsaw through implementation of film projects dealing with issues of human rights, social justice and democracy. As a result, forgotten district - Praga, will gain needed artful place created by film enthusiasts. Core idea is to involve local community (especially young people and excluded groups). Such a cooperation will give them a tool to rise a voice and empower positive changes.

Our project will take place in Praga - the forgotten district of Warsaw, Poland.

One of the most crucial issues that Praga is facing right now is the fact that young Praga citizens are being excluded. This district is still known as the poorest district of Warsaw, which can lead to the situation that children would follow the footsteps of their parents who could not provide them with financial and educational background. The above mentioned problem was described in the report: “The examination of the situation of young people from Praga Północ district, that are in danger of being socially excluded.” What is really important to mention is that one of the main areas indicated in this report having negative impact on young Praga citizens is the fact that they are not engaged in any cultural projects or events.

We aim excluded groups of people that are part of our local society. We plan to involve children and young people from the poorest homes. Everyone will be able to participate in the project, regardless of their ideas, material status or film experience. Everyone who will hear about our project and would like to express one’s idea will find our support in its implementation.

At a first step we plan to gain and boost credibility among local society and excluded groups through spending time among them and building environment of trust. In a cooperation with other NGO we plan to implement the idea to express their thoughts in different manners, showing the possibility of presenting them in a film - through acting, make-ups, dialogue, screenplay etc. When we do so, we plan to create groups that will work on their own film, chosen among given topics - women rights, social inequality and ecology. Participants will be free to express themselves, however they will have to work in groups, with the use of dialogue and democratic choices. During project they will be supported by academic psychologists and professional film makers who will be also involved in the process.

We expect to create a place of trust and cooperation, a shelter for those who are discriminated. We set ourselves ambitious targets because we believe that this is the only way to introduce positive changes to our community. We hope that the project will help young people and excluded groups to understand and feel that their opinion is valuable and means a lot for the others. We want to empower them and give them powerful tool to express themselves and simply - to be heard. We expect that through a positive experience and working in groups we will let them believe in themselves and broaden the idea of cooperation among them. As a result we want to educate young people how beneficial it could be to work together and put aside any differences.

We plan to organize a series of film workshops targeting especially young Praga citizens and excluded groups. The specific topic of each movie workshop will be consulted with the future attendants. Ideas will be discussed and the best one will be chosen by voting. Therefore, all the attendants will be engaged in workshop preparation and in the same time the workshops’ topics will perfectly fit the target group expectations.

Apart from the above, our workshops will fight against cultural exclusion of young Praga citizens. The fact that these young people will broaden their knowledge about movie industry, film-making process and cultural aspect of this specific area will increase their self-confidence and feeling of belongingness and equality among peers.

We come from different regions and we know how hard it is to find people who do not judge and allow free exchange of ideas. The desire to express ourselves through art has accompanied us since forever, only the forms of the messages and the conditions in which we operate have changed. Currently, films are one of the most important form of communication. Work on the set requires discipline, cooperation, but also openness to all ideas and solutions. An efficient film group creates bonds as strong as those presented in families. Therefore, through implementation of this project, we want to create a film family in our district, which for many seems to be ugly and unattractive - we will prove that together with excluded groups, as residents we are the real color of this place.

Workspace expenses: 12 000 euro
Travel and Accommodation costs: 2000 Euro
Personnel costs: 12 000 euro
Film set expenses: 10 000 euro
Equipment and insurance: 8 500 euro
Awards and grants for the most involved participants: 2500 euro
Promotion and public relations: 5 000 euro
The cost of evaluation and monitoring: 2000 euro

We would appreciate any type of feedback. We would love to discuss any possibility to positively influence our impact on society.