This summer, an international network of collectives from five countries will travel to Podgorica, Montenegro. Together with local youth, we will revitalize an abandoned space and breathe life into it as a vibrant social-cultural center. The project aims to empower the young generation, as they will assume full responsibility for managing the center at the end of the project. Together, we aspire to build an inclusive haven where youth creativity can thrive. Help us create such a space in Podgorica this year!
It all started in 2015, when Belgium-based NGO “Toestand” was invited to Kremenchuk (Ukraine) to assist the locals in converting an abandon cinema into a center for young people. This was the first of several international projects that have occurred since. All of them were intentionally concentrated in environments where the (cultural) needs and interests of youth are being neglected, where there are no accessible spaces for youngsters to create and perform their identity, be it artistic or cultural. As a result, numerous international projects have emerged in various European cities: Priština (Termokiss), Tetova (Social Cultural Space Tetova), Tirana (Hapësira Kulturore Uzina) and Sarajevo (DKC Sarajevo). Youth from all these places gathered around and joined the subsequent international projects. Now, we are moving on together with a much larger group to create new centers.
The aim of the project is to push these youths towards urban and civil exchange through community building. Central points are reflection and making a change, along with dialogue, creation, autonomy, and action. This year we are setting out for Podgorica. Besides an independent social-cultural center, we aim to create a skate park as well! By sawing, drilling, painting, breaking, fixing, cleaning together, we will exchange our knowledge and skills with the locals.
