The European Migration Crisis and The COVID19 situation has left some groups within our community segregated and lonely.
The most affected groups are the Roma, elderly and people struggling financially to support themselves. With this project we will aim to rebuild the bridges through art and almost forgotten crafts. We will also strive to awaken the old tradition of passing knowledge from the old to the young.
Our target groups are:
- Roma
- Elderly
- People with a fewer opportunities

Re-settlement of Zajezova, Pliesovce, the nearest city Zvolen cca 15km away, Slovakia

Before depopulation in 1950s, Zajezova was a settlement of small prosperous farmers. Since 1994 our NGO is trying for preservation and promotion of traditional culture and crafts. Since then they organised many events, workshops and festivals on conservation of cultural heritage.
We found 3 main groups as a societal challenges faced by our region.
- the isolation of elderly people
- the isolation of people with a fewer opportunities such as single mothers, the youth that is geographically isolated
- isolation of the nearby Roma community.
We would like to not only bring these communities closer together by creating a safe sharing space, where knowledge can be pass on, and bridges build but also provide a creative space where one can grow, express and develop their talent further.

We would like to include, inspire, educate and bring together groups of people that we feel are the most isolated within our community. These can either feel lonely, isolated, not feel comfortable to speak or approach due to change of their circumstances ie" low self esteem, lost of job (Corona Issue), different color, social status, economic situation, educational level etc. We believe that through creative art workshops, by doing things together, we can get to know each other better and build relationships and realize that we have lot in common. We will include anyone who wishes to contribute and be part of the project without any judgement. Every opinion will be listened carefully and taken seriously,no ridicules will be accepted. We will create safe and caring environment for everyone.

We would like to create a safe and caring enviroment, where different opinions, views and ideas can be shared and freely presented without any judgement. This will be mainly possible through art and craft lead by the professionals from Zajezova. Noone will be made right or wrong. The differences will be welcomed and praised. There will be also open discussion on various topic, sharing circles and QaA session implemented. We will organise 20 art workshops and seminars, where people from different walks of lives can learn and develop their skills and share their story, and become active in our community. People can also find a new way of their economic income by learning a new skill and selling it onto a market.

The changes we would like to see in our community through implementing this project are:
- less isolated people
- create hope for a better future, showing people new ways of income
- encourage civic engagement

More knowledge passed on and shared from generation to generation. The inspiration from each other and bridges build between different groups of people. Strengthen the relationships across the various groups of the community: the young and the elderly, the one with the fewer opportunities and disadvantaged background.
More open minded community accepting differences in people. If the project spreads wider perhaps less radicalization in the next elections. Safer, happier and more inspirational living environment for all of us.

We would like to empower identified groups to take the active role in participating in workshops, seminars, cultural events, educational activities for local residents and the community. This project contributes to civic education in our community and will encourage civic engagement. The space will also offer excursions, lectures, children's and youth art activities, helping youth to prepare for entrance exams for art schools. The seminars related to traditional crafts and preservation of the Slovak culture will be run by very elderly people from Zajezova through knowledge exchange. Others will be run by the artists and craftsmen from Zajezova.

My dream is to make our community and my living environment better, more sustainable, happier and leaving it the better place. I involve myself in such a project because I truly feel I have the social responsibility to make the place I live in better then I found it. i know we can all make it possible in our community by realizing where our strengths and weaknesses are. I do not believe that there are better or worse people in this world. I do believe however, that there are people with less information or opportunities given. I would like to through this project to make the information and the opportunities as equal as possible and give every one chance to live happy and safe. To create safe environment to be creative, express their own feelings without being judged.

Personnel costs: €10 000
Facilitators for 20 workshops
(artists, trainers, and co-creative communication experts): €12300
Management of 20 activities: €8200
Project coordination: €7700

Materials: €3100
Brushes, papers, wood, gouges:

Rent of spaces: €2800
Spaces provided with big open spaces for workshops, rent of the blacksmith workroom.

Communication: €3400
PR, photography, social networks

Any comments that you think could help and improve the application