About the Project
Racism and Euroscepticism are prevalent in many European countries, including Germany. Misinformation and the lack of targeted education results in different populist, xenophobic and nationalist movements. This increases racist and intolerant experiences, as well as Euroscepticism while normalizing hate in public opinions. Stereotypes and prejudices based on general ignorance of reality target immigrants and minorities, with an important role of fake news, to justify anti-democratic and violent actions. This situation has a boom in the crisis we live in and puts at risk social cohesion. And as the Action Plan against Disinformation of the European Commission indicates, greater public awareness is essential for improving societal resilience against the threat that disinformation poses. Therefore, different NGOs from 4 countries got together to improve active citizenship and intercultural dialogue with the following objectives by involving citizens in their local realities.
The organizations that are part of this project are: NaturKultur e.V. (Germany), Stowarzyszenie Europe4Youth (Poland), Las Niñas del Tul (Spain), Center For Intercultural Dialogue (North Macedonia).
Objectives
– RESEARCH: Analyse the types of hate speech faced by immigrants and minorities, mainly through fake news, with special focus on those linked with Euroscepticism;
– LOCAL TEAMS: Create and train local teams to fight the hate speech mentioned, which in turn train more people in the community and raising awareness about the topic;
– AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: Promote intercultural dialogue and active and engaged citizenship.
To achieve them, the project includes an interrelated set of activities: local researches; an international meeting to compare the situation between the project countries and jointly design the action and training plans; training workshops for local teams and multiplication actions; counter information campaign of the most widespread fake news; debates with experts and decision-makers; cultural and social activities; etc.
Our Role
NaturKultur e.V. was able to involve various teams that develop and implement local workshops for citizens in Bremen, Germany to create more awareness regarding the project topics. This includes different activities connecting storytelling and cooking methods to connect to the topics of intercultural understanding and European values.
Preparatory activities: the activities involved 16 participants, 4 participants per country.
Location/ Dates: The event took place in Krakow (Poland), Kumanovo (North Macedonia), Osterholz-Scharmbeck (Germany) and Granada (Spain), from 31/10/2021 to 31/08/2022.
Short description: This process leaded us to build the necessary foundations for a correct and quality implementation of the project. During the months of preparation we focused mainly on: implementation of coordination tools between partners; creation of local work teams; establishment of internal work structures; contact with stakeholders; creation of networks and media to make the project visible and disseminate the results; general project planning.
Preparatory meeting: the activity involved 7 participants.
Location/ Dates:
Short description: these activity consisted of a transnational meeting with one person from each partner (three in the case of NaturKultur e.V.) to establish general coordination of the project. The participants were those in charge of the project in each of the organizations. It was a technical coordination meeting to establish the final definition of the agreements and detailing all the conditions.
Various events have been carried out within this project:
Event 1
Participation: The event involved in the training of multipliers 69 citizens, including 21 participants from the city of Krakow (Poland), 19 participants from the city of Kumanovo (North Macedonia), 8 participants from the city of Osterholz-Scharmbeck (Germany) and 21 participants from the cities of Íllora and Granada (Spain).
Location/ Dates: The event took place in Krakow (Poland), Kumanovo (North Macedonia), Osterholz-Scharmbeck (Germany) and Granada (Spain), from 01/12/2021 to 20/10/2023.
Short description:We implemented in each country a local research about the hate speech faced by immigrants and minorities mainly through fake news, with special focus on those linked with Euroscepticism. We worked on two lines, on the one hand with the citizens and on the other hand with legal persons/administrations, experts and journalists reflecting their professional experience. To do this, we conducted surveys, interviews and focus groups, collected existing documentation and collaborated with other actors working on the subject. Once the local group of multipliers has been selected and based on the research, training was given to capacitate them on fighting against the situation of disinformation and discrimination. Different methodologies, especially non-formal education and learning by doing, were used to ensure putting into action from the beginning. They also were trained to share this knowledge and train other people, to multiply the process and create a bigger net of supporters. Local groups trained more people with different training actions in all the countries involved to support our message. They also created a counter-information campaign of the most widespread fake news. The campaign involved a continuous update during the months of the project to “bury” in our regions that fake news with rigorous content and based on objective data.
Cultural local events 2 – 20
Short description: Throughout November 2022 and November 2023 NaturKultur e.V. implemented 19 cultural activities connected to the project topic. This included intercultural cooking evenings, storytelling through hip hop, or theatre plays connected to European values and intercultural understanding. The goal was to increase the awareness of current issues connected to the topic and learn more about the European Unions effect on the daily lives of European citizens, while creating a better understanding for other cultures. Thus, reducing racism and discrimination.
Participation: We directly reached over 216 participants.
Locations included: Kulturgurppenhaus Hinterm Horn 5, Osterholz-Scharmbeck – Magazinkeller, Findorffstraße 51, Bremen – DRK Kinder- und Jugendhaus Schweiter Viertel, Ute-Meyer-Weg 1, Bremen – Quartiers-Bildungszentrum in Gröpelingen, Morgenlandstrasse 43, Bremen
Cultural local events example 1: Kayak tour
Date: 16.08.2023
Location: Outside, Lilienthal, Bremen
Participation: 6 participants and two organizers
This activity was a blend of nature, excitement, and relaxation. An intercultural group of (mostly immigrant) young people created fun memories by exploring the nature around the river, sharing stories connected to their home countries, and connecting with our peers. We explored the Blockland area in Bremen while paddling through a river and going to Bürgerpark. Afterwards, the participants shared how they felt before, during, and after the kayaking. They reflected on the intercultural stories of their peers and on the challenges they were confronted with during the activity to their daily life as immigrants.
Cultural local events example 2: Theater workshop
Date: 23.08.2023
Location: Quartiers-Bildungszentrum in Gröpelingen, Morgenlandstrasse 43, Bremen, GER
Participation: 6 participants and 1 organizer
Participants looked into what solidarity means, especially in the context of Europe and participating in the ESC program. Collectively, the group will come up with a definition. After, participants will be playing with some improv-theater methods to better understand solidarity by playing with “learning by doing” activities. Different scenarios encouraged them to think about the meaning of the term and the importance that the EU is playing in various situations.
Cultural local events example 3: Human Library
Date: 8.05.2023
Location: Outside, infront of Waterfront (AG-Weser-Straße 3, 28237 Bremen)
Participation: 7 (documented) participants and 5 organizer
As part of the #EuropaWochen2023 this event was intended to raise awareness about the topic of migration – different types of it, and bring us closer to the experiences of different young people with migrational background – whether they be international students, volunteers or refugees – to the local community of Bremen. A space was created in front of the Waterfront in Bremen, where people were invited to talk to “human books” who share their story as migrants.
The project «The True Dialogue» was funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme “Europe for Citizens”
