Our goal is to set up a network of co-creation contents with different groups in Beiras e Serra da Estrela, countryside of Portugal. We aim to reflect and dialogue about diversity through self and collective-expression while providing a safe environment. Co-developing, sharing and exchanging values, feelings and expressions to understand each other, walking together, strengthening social cohesion, filing and broadcasting these results with free and easy access.

Covilhã e Guarda (counties) , Beiras e Serra da Estrela (BSE), countryside of Portugal.

We’ve chosen a region from the interior of Portugal, described as low density and scattered population. We will co-create a project with people from institutions (prison and youth shelter) and the local communities.
The depopulation and the few community projects that work in this region reflect a weak social cohesion. We identify few activities that comprise the people from community and from institutions.
Using universal expression tools such as music and radio, for dialogue and activism, we aim to link the population from institutions and local communities.
We intend to democratize the access to these tools while promoting dialogue and debate, based on tolerance, diversity, justice, social inclusion and active citizenship, co-building sustainable ways of life.

In a pandemic situation, social isolation and disconnection within communities deepened urging the need for care and community practices. Therefore, it’s fundamental: to connect the diverse groups within the community, using democratic communication tools (radio, music, focus groups/debates); co-build this project with and for:
people entangled in the criminal and social intervention system (prisoners, youngsters and professionals), residents and citizens.
We’ll set up a network of partners from local municipalities, institutions, CSOs and other professionals working in social intervention.
The audience are the regional, the national and the worldwide community.

Step1:project’s meetings; establish partnerships; framework co-creation ; schedule activities; website
Step2:activities, co-producing contents through non-formal education methods, non-violent communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, critical thinking, shared responsibilities, in a safe environment: 1)Guarda’s prison (36 sessions/12 months): team building, individual and collective expression (body expressions, fine motoring activities, recycle building workshop), music and creative writing composition, radio’s introduction (voiceover and interpretation), creation editing of content for the radio programme; 2)Youth seminar(6 days*30 youngest): Transforming hate with music; 3)Focus groups with people from institutions and local entities
Step3:Project’s impact evaluation

We‘ll have a network of awareness raising and knowledge exchange co-developed. Co-creating, sharing and exchanging values, feelings and expressions to understand each other we expect the strengthening of social cohesion and the deepening of belongingness. We aim that local voices and communities, in general, will become conscious interventionists reflecting about diversity for social cohesion. Connecting people from the diverse groups through radio (as a vehicle) and music (as a self expression tool) allows to a common channel that minimise distances and bridges different realities; thus contributing to the promotion of their autonomy, self-esteem, self-confidence and objectives. We foster to decrease the gap within compromised communities by positive and inclusive experiences.

We aim to improve active civic participation and social cohesion from different realities.
Creating activities (dialogue/debates, focus groups and workshops) in this region with these actors, through their own ideas and needs to increase democracy and social cohesion. Considering these different experiences/ways of living can lead us to a democratic society.
We'll be setting a network of local social and cultural entities, such as a radio partnership, that will help to spread information to approach people, and a seminar, where we want to join two different groups of youngsters (from inside and outside of institutions).
We believe the best way to collective recognition and to achieve social cohesion it's by people talking and acting together.

In our work we try to create situations where the participants are able to recognize their inner values, experience the feeling of acceptance and create new models through experiential learning, by an artistic and dialogue way. It only makes sense if we manage to create an atmosphere of trust and confidence/acceptance that allows true recognition, new revelations may arise concerning ourselves or our partners. Through this, we’ll be able to admit things that we didn’t accept before and overcoming limitations, so we can accept ourselves and others.
All these inputs are essential to transform the notions of justice and community.
We believe that we can accelerate perspective changes, that are necessary to connect to each other in a different, better and more fair way.

1 - Management/Staff: € 34 500
(€ 600 x 12 months x 4 px): € 28800
costs and subsistence expenses for project staff: 5500
2 - Communication and dissemination: € 500
3- Costs with external trainers, experts, service providers: € 5 000
4 - Accomodation and transports for youth seminar: € 6 000
5 - Office and pedagogical material - €1000
6 - Mural painting: € 500
7 - Equipment need for co-creative process and community building: € 2500

Thank you for this opportunity! Any opinions and comments are welcome!