With the project we wanted to: 1) Improve the competencies of staff working directly with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, through on-site engagement. 2) Improve skills and knowledge through a place-based architectural approach to understanding and responding to migration issues. 3) Improve and develop the methods and tools used in the process, including n-site investigations through drawing/sketching, observation, photography and mapping; engaging residents and newcomers in conversations, participant-initiated hands-on events/activities and narrative; and developing project proposals and recording these in a process diary; presentations and an exhibition of collective work. 4) Development of new sustainable cooperation between national and international organisations 5) Improving the understanding of the importance of architecture in different environments, such as cities (e.g. Athens) and rural areas (e.g. Belmonte), as well as environments affected by climate change, and the benefits of bio-architecture
The project was born after meetings between members of staff from the promoter, and from the Department of Architercture of the London Metropolitan University. It was born after the realisation that we had common interest in the field of migration, but with a different set of competences, specifically Sirius Training with competences in adult education, non formal and informal education methods, training in refugess inclusion and community integration, and the London Met, with expertise in place-based architecture, a type of architecture that responds to, engages with and builds on the bottom up concerns and dispersed initiatives existing within the neighbourhood, to fit the needs of both the local population and also the newly established migrant population. We combined the expertise of partners and decided to apply for the project in order to improve the competencies of staff directly involved with migrants refugees and asylum seekers through a transnational mobility that would require staff to actively engage with the local environement, working directly with locals to understand current issues faced by refugees and migrants. The project was then proposed to the other consortium partner, who wouls actively contribute to it.