Having powerful & relatable role models is a crucial factor for lowering barriers to civic engagement and participation. With this project, we want to tell inspiring stories of young changemakers who are building bridges between social bubbles and contributing to social cohesion. With a mix of digital content, in-person events, and a multi-media exhibition we’re offering different pathways for young people to interact with questions like:
“What are my values?”
“How easy is it for me to live by these values and where are there systemic barriers?”
“What’s so important to me, that I would speak up if it were threatened?”
“What is my sphere of influence and how can I start taking action in alignment with my values?”
In the first phase of the project, we are producing three short films that portray young people who are contributing to social cohesion and depolarization through their engagement. Our open call for protagonists is running until 30.03.
After the videos are published, we’ll offer a series of workshops for youth to engage deeper with the topics mentioned above. The culmination of the project will be a month-long exhibition in Vienna in early 2025.
This project is financed by the European Union. We are implementing it together with our partner organization Blivande.
The Bridge Builders Series
Over the last 6 months we’ve been working on 3 short films, that tell the story of three change makers living in Vienna. While they are very different in their focus areas, they have one thing in common: they care about building bridges across diverse and sometimes even polarized social spheres. They do so in their unique ways: Merle is working to connect different actors in civil society across social movements while also inviting people in to spaces of exchange and connection, who are not yet engaged. Afrah creates spaces for women from the arabic speaking migrant community to meet each other and people who’ve been rooted in Austria for a longer time. Inbal is from an Israeli settlement in the westbank and works together with Palestinian artists and activists as well as fellow Israelis to advocate for peace and build more mutual understanding across dividing lines.
The premier screening of the movies will be on October 9th at 6pm. Sign up here.
Workshop Series
Our Youth Empowerment Workshop Cycle, part of an Erasmus+ funded project, is designed to boost civic participation among politically inactive youth in Austria. Aimed at young people aged 16-20, the workshop series provides accessible information on civic engagement, helping participants turn their values into meaningful local actions. Through three interactive sessions, attendees will deepen their understanding of democracy, explore the importance of civic participation, and identify their personal values.
During these workshops teenagers will be exploring questions like:
- What is democracy and why is civic participation important?
- How do my personal values affect what I do, and how can I use them to improve my community?
- How do my personal actions link to larger changes in society?
- What challenges or barriers am I encountering in acting out of my values and how can I overcome them?
These series will be divided into 3 subsequent workshops, using various teaching formats: plenary discussion sessions, interactive lectures, case studies, and group work using visual media and writing.
No prior knowledge is required, and workshops will be held between October 2024 and March 2025. If you work with young people and would like to offer them the chance to participate in one of the workshops, please reach out to greta.capaite@civilaction.net
Questions?
If you are interested to hear more or get involved in this project, reach out to jonas.groener@civilaction.net
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