The EU and the wider region is deep in what has been labeled a refugee crises. In this context we think narratives informing social conflict and policy are crucial. We have seen how photography has proved to be an important tool to explain reality in a way that touches the public and sets the basis for their perception and narrative of "what is going on". We believe that the first step to real understanding is to be presented with the story of a whole person, not only as a passive sufferer or as a threatening stranger. The project aims to exchange skills and better practices and develop an adult education methodology that can do that.We want to develop and share an adult education methodology that combines elements of participatory photography, smart use of ICTs for anti-xenophobia communication, intercultural communication and a non-formal adult education to work towards the integration of refugees an a better understanding of the situation within the EU. Our objectives are giving means of representation and expression to refugees/migrants asylum seekers and providing tools to help in the fight against racism and xenophobia.We want the project to result in a better public awareness and perception of refugee crises, educators working with migrants/refugees (directly or in connected issues, like intercultural/anti-xenophobia communication) better equipped to use participatory photography with migrants/refugees and use visual and new media for communication. Outputs and educational resources (see below) available to the public and relevant stakeholders and an increase awareness of the possibilities of adult education and its outputs as a tool for social change.The project will produce outputs that can be used to multiply its impact, including 1- a methodology review and better practices guide that combine elements of participatory photography , intercultural work and communication for social change, drafting from lessons learned from the learning activities and skill shares in this project and other initiatives with similar goals or methodologies, 2 interactive documentary website with the products of the participatory photography workshops and c - an exhibition. Both website and exhibition can be used as an educational resourceThe project includes workshops of participatory photography with refugees/migrants in Barcelona (ES) Calais (FR) and Sweibrucken airport (GER) , a training in Barcelona to share skills and best practices and develop the methodology, production of educational resources (a methodology review, an exhibition and an interactive documentary website ) and multiplier events in Lille and Brussels to ensure maximum impact. All learning activities will focus on learn-by-doing, facilitated skill sharing and learning outcomes will be evaluated with performance based assessment methods. This project is addressed to educators working with migrants/refugees (directly or in connected issues, like intercultural/anti-xenophobia communication) that will participate in learning activities and multiplier events (seminars), to migrants and refugees that will take part in the workshops and will tell their story, and to relevant stakeholders, people active in politics and just concerned citizens that will attend the multiplier events.The project will use ICTs, visual languages and storytelling to achieve maximum public visibility and impact. We also intend to achieve multiplier effects by working with organisations in our networks that are active in fields like photography, communication, relief work with refugees, integration... and that would both provide input, give visibility to the project and use the intellectual outputs.With this project we intend to contribute to a better understanding of the current situations involving refugees in Europe. We can safely assume that as long as there is conflict and blatant inequalities in the near east and the Mediterranean we can count on many people from different cultures coming one way or another to the EU. We feel any educational tools and methodologies that can help us in understanding those people, having more empathy, informing our fears and ultimately accepting the difference are very badly needed.
Context : The EU and the wider region is deep in what has been labeled a refugee crises. In this context we think narratives informing social conflict and policy are crucial. We have seen how photography has proved to be an important tool to explain reality in a way that touches the public and sets the basis for their perception and narrative of "what is going on". We believe that the first step to real understanding is to be presented with the story of a whole person, not only as a passive sufferer or as a threatening stranger. The project aims to exchange skills and better practices and develop an adult education methodology that can do that. These tools we want to develop would be one very effective resource to bypass the filters of culture and communication present in the current european dynamics We have explored and developed methodological tools and ways in which participatory photography can be used, both as a tool of adult educacion for this collectives and as means to raise awareness and communicate their realities to society. • Objectives; "Give means of representation and expression to refugees/migrants asylum seekers "Combating racism and xenophobia through knowledge and mutual respect *Get relevant stakeholders interested in the possibilities of adult education using participatory photography ICTs and communication tools to work for the inclusion of refugees • Number and profile of participating organisations; 4 organisations form 4 different countries: CFD - Barcelona, a photography school and resource center, Jungleye -FR - producers of participatory photography workshops with refugees, Oiseaxu Sans Tete - BE - organiser of public space and participatory art actions and EYFA - organisers of Eu- level participatory projects, Eyfa is a EU level network, all the other partners are associations. • Description of undertaken main activities; Short term staff training 18-22 October 2016: Barcelona IO: October -2016 : Interactive platform design - first draft IO: November-december 2016 in Barcelona : Participatory photography workshops with asylum seekers living in Barcelona. 10 sessions IO: January -February: Methodology, first draft IO: 03/04/17 - 14/04/17 Participatory photography workshop with a group of women asylum seekers in the emergency shelter run by Emmaus Solidarité at Yvry-sur-Seine. Multiplier event 17-18 April 2017. Paris IO: 28/06/17- 17/07/17 at Rupert-Neudeck-Haus - Berlin- Workshop on participatory photography with refugees. IO: July - August 17 Finalizing methodology review and website, preparation of project presentation, media and relevant stakeholders outreach IO August-october - 2 workshops with refugees in Barcelona Multiplier event 1- December 2017 - to present project outputs - Brussels: Disemination (amongst other local activities) Inaugurations of exhibitions of the project outcomes and previous participatory photography workshops with refugees; both as part of the communication strategy and to have make it tangible for the participants the impact of their work. -Barcelona 22/10/16 at CFD -Paris: 19/10/17 at Picturetank agency -Bruselas 30/11/17 At Allee du Kaai -Barcelona: 9/12/17 - at Convent de Sant Agusti Ongoing tasks Gathering information form learning activities for the methodology review Communication and networking with potential users of platform and guide Coordination and project management tasks • Results and impact attained; Interactive platform Methodology guide 5 workshops with the total participation of 47 refugees in 3 European cities, With significant skills gains, and positive evaluations from collaborating organizations 3 exhibitions with their work, presented in events to maximize impact and visibility of the project. They have been already displayed in 5 locations and seen by 678 people Greater experience in implementing European-level collaborative projects for the partners organizations. Additional workshops obtained funding or in the way to obtain it. • If relevant, longer-term benefits. Tangible accessible outcomes that can be used by other organizations -and ourselves- in the future, Partners were all new to Erasmus + KA2 , and half of partners to Erasmus + in general, go we have gained important experience, we have built relationships outside of our areas of expertise , the project results and relationship have materialized in further joint fundraising efforts and projects.