Dissemination activity - development of a shared vision

On September 5, we came together for a lively and hands-on workshop where we created a sustainable fashion collective vision. This unique event brought together participants of all ages to reflect on community values through the creative medium of fabric art. The goal? To create a garland together - a large fabric tapestry that symbolizes our collective ideas of responsibility, sustainability, inclusivity and empathy.

Introductory game "Connecting Threads"

At the beginning of our workshop, we started with an introductory game called "Connecting Threads". Each participant was given a colorful thread and a handout on which they wrote down what makes a sustainable neighborhood most livable for them. Then they passed their thread to the next person and tied it together. We ended up with a beautiful web of interwoven threads that symbolized the connections between our individual ideas and values. These threads later became part of a tapestry reflecting the collective meaning of neighborhood engagement and connection.

What did we do?

The participants were divided into four groups, each focusing on a different topic:

1. Community and inclusivity: exploring what it means to build welcoming and unified communities.

   Symbols: Rainbows, bridges, groups of people - simple but meaningful representations of togetherness.

2. Environment and responsibility: highlighting our collective role in protecting the environment.

   Symbols: The earth, hands embracing the planet, circular arrows representing recycling and sustainability.

3. Democratic values: Highlighting civic engagement and the importance of democratic participation.

   Symbols: Ballot boxes, justice scales and linked hands reminding us of the power of active participation.

4. Social support: emphasizing empathy, mental health and kindness in supporting one another, especially the most vulnerable.

   Symbols: Open hands, hearts and wings symbolizing hope and caring.

Each group discussed their respective themes and thought about the values they stand for. They then had the opportunity to either use pre-made fabric symbols or create their own designs that expressed their understanding of the theme. The discussions were lively and the creative process was a nice mix of collaboration and expression.

The grand finale

At the end of the workshop, the participants proudly attached their pieces of fabric to the large garland - a beautiful mosaic of creativity and shared vision. This garland will be hung as a symbol of our collective commitment to better, more inclusive and caring neighborhoods. Best of all, everyone was able to take home their personal contribution as a memento of the experience.

What's next?

We are still working on refining the discussion questions so that we can explore these topics in greater depth in future workshops. Do you have any ideas for us? We would love to hear them!

Stay tuned for more workshops like this one, where creativity meets community and we continue to shape our future together - one stitch at a time.

Subscribe to our NEWSLETTER to make sure you don't miss any upcoming activities!

Cooperation

The success of our workshop was greatly enhanced by our collaboration with Olga Milevska from Simply Repair, whose expertise in sustainable fashion and second-hand clothing was invaluable. Simply Repair specializes in helping migrant women start their own fashion businesses and brought a unique perspective to the event. Their commitment to sustainability was reflected in the themes of responsibility and environmentalism and encouraged participants to think about how we can bring these values into our communities. This partnership not only enriched the creative process, but also demonstrated the power of sustainability and inclusion in building stronger neighborhoods.

A special THANK YOU to Olga and her team for this fruitful, practical experience!

Gallery