“Wind of Renewal”, six years of innovation and activities with social and ecological impact

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The end of the year is an opportunity to review activities, redesign and develop new initiatives. Wind of Renewal is in this process, entering its 6th anniversary, although it looks like we have already closed a few decades while operating. During these years we have achieved rich work on social innovation and economy, climate protection, energy transition and energy model change. Our work reflects on all 5 of the European distinctions we have received over the years for our work. But what seems outward is only a small part of the energy and soul-giving we are giving.

2019 was a difficult but also an exciting year for the Wind of Renewal, the social partnership we created with a small group of people willing to contribute to the changes that our society and world need. We have had many difficulties but continue to be empowered or start new interesting activities and approaches that have significant social and ecological impact.

The WELCOMMON Refugee Center was closed at the end of February 2018, after 1.5 years of operation, because, as we were told, “no such innovation-based transition centers were needed” (our model was based on empowerment through creation of communities) and the Funding for housing of vulnerable refugees stopped. We were financially covered all the remaining integration and empowerment programs that were demanding and innovative. It was expected that the “big refugee centers” would close (WELCOMMON was treated like a… camp, Schisto or Moria!). We were closed and all refugees had to move to apartments and find their way there. During the operation of the centre, we hosted in a cooperative spirit, in a community based model, around 160 refugees -a total of 600 people over a period of 1.5 years- , from 22 ethnicities, who spoke 14 languages​​ and dialects and represented almost all major religions. They were some of the most vulnerable among refugees. It is no coincidence that we have hosted very vulnerable people (victims of rape, trafficking, people with disabilities, serious health problems or even cancer, severe psychological or even psychiatric problems, single parent families with many children, the majority being women and children, while 41 healthy children were born during the operation of our center!).

But most importantly for our model, WELCOMMON (Welcome in Common, that is, not only for refugees but also #withrefugees and with / for the local community) was the empowerment of refugees through the creation of a “community” , through art therapy, the participation of refugees themselves in the operation of the center as well as in actions to improve the neighborhood or to help other people of all backgrounds. It was for many a new beginning – and on a solid basis in their lives – no just an occasion to sleep in a decent place and eat a plate of food:

  • changing roles for empowerment,
  • providing the chance for a refugee to become a teacher, to take responsibilities, roles, to offer services to others in need, to showcase his/her knowledge,
  • to travel as a “tourist” to overcome the fear and trauma of the dangerous journey to “safety”,
  • to cook for the locals to get acquainted with the different cuisines,
  • to bring the children back to normal, safe society and context.

It is no coincidence that even today we receive hundreds of visitors from every continent who want to know about our “experiment” or that it has become a “source” for university education, research and analysis.

When the housing program stopped abruptly, despite the shock we experienced from such a sharp decision because we had to close the innovative center within 40 days, move all visiting refugees to places they did not know or did not want to go, lose an experienced personnel of 30 people, think about what we would do with the huge building that we had rented for social purpose and we had spent a lot of money to make it safe and decent.

From WELCOMMMON center for refugees towards an innovative WELCOMMON HOSTEL with social and ecological impact

Despite the financial and other difficulties we faced, we decided to create and implement within 3 months – without the staff, grants, funding and time needed – a social entrepreneurship project that could ensure financial sustainability and have a positive social and ecological impact , to continue our project but also combine it with green innovation.

So, we designed and implemented an innovative Hostel – WELCOMMON HOSTEL – aiming for a sustainable tourism model. We want to host as clients tourists, travelers groups, schools, universities and individuals who seek their own journey to leave a positive rather than a negative, social impact. That is what we call sustainable tourism. At the same time, WELCOMMON HOSTEL wanted to be transformed into a center of social empowerment and integration, green and social innovation, intercultural dialogue, new creative and functional solutions to social and ecological problems, a space for culture and expression.

And we can say that, despite the difficulties and obstacles, or sometimes the cynicism and indifference that we encounter and gives rise to feelings of frustration, we are on a very good road today.

The next day…

We have many plans for this coming year and the next decade, starting from 1/1/2020, on sustainable tourism, social inclusion and empowerment, social entrepreneurship, social and green innovation, fossil fuel independency, transition to renewable energy, education on social and environmental sustainability, job creation in the social and green sectors.

  • We continue the theoretical and practical training of young scientists in Greece and Berlin so that they can work professionally on energy saving and on the implementation of natural heating / cooling systems and we conduct free-of-cost school energy audits in the municipalities of Ag. Demetriou, Vrilissia and Kaisariani to make schools more energy efficient and contribute to climate protection (EUKI YESClima).
  • We are extending the very important experience and educational material on climate action and energy saving in schools under the EUKI “Climate Schools Be.Ath (Athens-Berlin) program and in new schools of various areas, combining a pedagogical approach and technical suggestions.

  • We are all involved (clients, volunteers, refugees, friends) in climate actions.

  • We participate in the effort to strengthen the ecosystem of the social economy through our participation in the Social Entrepreneurship Forum, European networks, activities and workshops as well as the organizing of numerous training and dialogue workshops.
  • We support local initiatives and actions of social interest and social innovation.
  • We continue to engage numerous volunteers from every corner of the globe (hosted in the volunteer space at WELCOMMON HOSTEL) with our innovative and inclusive @DaysofWelcommon and #GreenSocialInnovationESC programs for empowerment and social inclusion, intercultural dialogue, green social innovation, art and culture,  open to all: locals, volunteers, travelers – tourists, refugees and immigrants.
  • WELCOMMON HOSTEL has already become a center for social and ecological activities, (inter) cultural events, seminars, education, workshops, poetry, music, theater, stand-up comedy, youth exchanges and ErasmusPlus programs, in other words a meeting center for young people and students from every corner of the globe.
  • Almost all of our clients are actively supporting our choices for a sustainable tourism model that contributes to reducing the ecological footprint and empowering the local community while rejecting discrimination and exclusion.

  • We are gradually converting WELCOMMON HOSTEL not only into a social space, but also into a greener hostel that, step by step, reduces dependence on fossil fuels (oil) and becomes more and more “solar“. It is not an easy way but we have already started with the reduction of oil use with the immediate aim of reducing the use of oil for heating water by at least 80%. The next phase is to heat and cool the building (3200 square meters, capacity of 167 people in separate rooms of 2,3,4 people or dormitories of 4 or 8 people) with natural systems as well as generate as much electricity as possible from renewable sources.

  • We apply a waste minimizing system, especially reducing one-way plastics, increasing seperation at source and recycling, while the whole WELCOMMON HOSTEL was based on a rational upcycling and re-use, which is actually an example of how we can combine reuse with high quality aesthetic effect and functionality.

  • We are involved or working with many European and international networks, universities, social agencies across the globe and we are part of the change we want to see happen, not just talk about it.

  • We continue a project that is very innovative across a range of sectors – not just one – despite the difficulties and obstacles that exist in our country, such as the difficulty of accessing financial tools for innovative actions (but even financing simple needs), social crisis, lack of social awareness, individualism, limited volunteering and effective participation in activities that have a social and environmental impact. But, on the other hand, we are lucky enough to be with people from all over the world who gove a part of themselves and their souls, people who appreciate our work and stay involved, people who leave the warmth of their home and come to help without waiting a materialistic benefit, but receive experiences, feelings, knowledge. So we continue our creative journey through 2020.
  • If you would like to know more, join in or help send a message to windofrenewal@gmail.com and we’ll get back to you right away.
  • You can also follow our work on social media:

ANEMOΣ ΑΝΑNEΩΣΗΣ / WIND of RENEWAL (social cooperative for social – green economy)

W: www.anemosananeosis.gr

Fb  www.facebook.com/social.cooperatives

        www.facebook.com/daysofwelcommon

Μ: windofrenewal@gmail.com

WELCOMMON HOSTEL, an innovative hostel with social and green impact

www.welcommonhostel.gr

www.facebook.com/welcommonhostel

 

Young students from 33 countries all over Europe will travel to Brussels to discuss #ClimateChange

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🌍

Young students from 33 countries all over Europe will travel to Brussels to discuss #ClimateChange & the future of our planet. It is the 11th edition of the #youth plenary event which will take place on 19-20th of March 2020! Climate change is on everyone’s mind, and young people all over the globe are mobilising to save the planet. The European Economic and Social Committee is joining the movement and asking the young participants at YEYS for the best way forward in protecting our planet. This year’s event will model an international climate change conference (COP).

The Committee is interested in hearing students’ fresh ideas on how to deal with the current climate crisis and how to come closer to meeting the 2050 climate-neutral ambitions. Students will be asked to represent a country and negotiate with each other, in order to come up with recommendations to stop climate change. These recommendations will be submitted to international environment policy-makers and discussed at conferences around Europe throughout the year. During YEYS, the students will also be put in contact with international youth organisations that will help them translate these recommendations into concrete measures and make their voice heard.

YEYS 2020 – Selected schools

  • Albania Turgut Ozal, Tirana
  • Austria Bundesbildungsanstalt für Sozialpädagogik und Elementarpädagogik, St. Poelten
  • Belgium Maritiem Instituut Mercator, Oostende
  • Bulgaria St. Cyril and Methodius High School, Yakoruda
  • Croatia High School Mate Balota Poreč, Poreč
  • Cyprus Paralimni Lyceum, Paralimni
  • Czech Republic Střední škola technických oborů, Havířov
  • Denmark ZBC Gymnasiet Ringsted, Ringsted
  • Estonia Koeru Keskkool, Koeru, Järvamaa
  • Finland Iisalmen Lyseo, Iisalmi
  • France Lycée Joseph Gaillard, Fort-de-France
  • Germany Freiherr-vom-Stein-Gymnasium Lünen, Lünen
  • Greece 2nd Gerakas Senior High School, Gerakas Pallinis
  • Hungary Szent István Sport Általános Iskola és Gimnázium, Jászberény
  • Ireland St. David’s CBS, Dublin
  • Italy I.T.T. Enrico Fermi, Siracusa
  • Latvia Jana Ivanova Rezekne music secondary school, Rezekne
  • Lithuania Vilniaus Žemynos gymnasium, Vilnius
  • Luxembourg Lycée Aline Mayrisch Luxembourg, Luxembourg
  • Malta De La Salle Sixth Form Birgu
  • Montenegro JUSMŠ «Ivan Goran Kovačić», Herceg – Novi
  • Netherlands Haarlemmermeerlyceum, Hoofddorp
  • North-Macedonia SOSU «Sv. Kiril i Metodij», Ohrid
  • Poland I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. M. Kopernika,Toruń
  • Portugal Escola Secundária com 3º Ciclo de Fernão Mendes Pinto, Almada
  • Romania National College «Ienachiță Văcărescu», Târgoviște
  • Serbia Gimnazija «Svetozar Marković», Novi Sad
  • Slovakia Obchodna akademia, Kukucinova 2, Trnava, Trnava
  • Slovenia Gimnazija Nova Gorica, Nova Gorica
  • Spain Ieso La Pola De Gordón, La Pola de Gordón
  • Sweden Uddevalla Upper Secondary School, Uddevalla
  • Turkey Pendik Fatih Anadolu lisesi, İstanbul
  • United Kingdom Baysgarth School, Barton-upon-Humber
  • EU European School EEBIII, Bruxelles

Good news: The Social Economy Intergroup in European Parliament has been renewed

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The Social Economy Intergroup (SEIG) has been renewed. Over 100 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) of the main political groups expressed their interest in renewing the Social Economy Intergroup. The decision was taken on the 19th of December 2019, by the Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament.

The Social Economy Intergroup will play a key role in establishing a political dialogue with the European Commission to develop an ambitious European Action Plan for the Social Economy, announced some weeks ago by Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen, in her mission letter to Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit.

The Social Economy Intergroup will be of outmost importance to mainstream the social economy perspective in the main EU’s social, economic and environmental policies, such as the Green New Deal, the SME and Industrial Strategies, the digital Single Market policies, the European Pillar of Social Rights, the agenda for the implementation of the SDGs or the external action of the EU.

Social Economy Europe (SEE) President, Juan Antonio Pedreño, commented : “I would like to thank all the MEPs that have supported the renewal of the Social Economy Intergroup and also all European Social Economy actors that have demonstrated, once again that alone, we are invisible, but together, we are unstoppable and capable of building a more sustainable European Union”. 

The Social Economy Europe is the umbrella organization for social economy and the voice of social economy enterprises and organizations in Europe. It is the secretariat of the European Parliament’s Social Economy Intergroup. It provides a strong logistical support to the social economy intergroup. The intergroup works in a transparent and accountable manner. A publicly accessible webpage for the social economy intergroup is available on SOCIAL ECONOMY EUROPE’s website

The Social Economy Europe gathered the interest of MEPs. At the end of September, Patrizia Toia (S&D, IT), a long-time supporter of social economy, Nicolas Schmit (S&D, LU), MEP and Commissioner-Designate for jobs and Dolors Montserrat (EPP, ES), Leopoldo López (EPP, ES), Sven Giegold (Greens/EFA, DE) and Monica Semedo (Renew, LU) sent a letter to the 751 MEPs to encourage them to reestablish the Social Economy Intergroup.

About the social economy in Europe: 

The social economy is an essential part of the European economic and social landscape formed by a diversity of enterprises and organisations such as cooperatives, mutuals, associations, foundations, social enterprises or paritarian institutions of social protection.

In the EU there are 2.8 million social economy enterprises and organisations, that employ 13.6 million people and account for 8% of the EU’s GDP.

 About the Social Economy Intergroup in the European Parliament

The Social Economy Intergroup is a platform for exchange between members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and members of the civil society. It represents an essential link into the democratic process of the European Union. Objectives:

  • to promote exchanges of views on EU policies and legislation linked to social economy issues,
  • to provide regular opportunities for dialogue between MEPs, social economy experts, European Commission officials, civil society representatives and other relevantstakeholders,
  • to bring together MEPs from all political parties and all member states,
  • to ensure that the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers take into account the social economy and its actors whilst developing their policies.

ACTIONS:

  • Meetings

Meetings are organised every two months on a regular basis, either in Strasbourg or Brussels. They bring together MEPs, representatives of other EU institutions and representatives of civil society.

  • Monitoring of legislation

The intergroup follows closely the work of the European Parliament’s Committees. It can make proposals, and inform MEPs about relevant issues for the social economy.

  • Memorandums

Considered as genuine awareness raising tools, memorandums have been developed in view of a greater recognition of the social economy.

  • Parliamentary questions

The intergroup can call upon the Council and/or the European Commission to offer a clear answer to questions of concern to social economy actors on a wide range of topics.

  • Events

Support is provided to the organisation of events aimed at the promotion of parliamentary work on social economy.

  • Relation with the press

The social economy intergroup is also able to disseminate information to the press in order to inform the European citizens of matters of interest.

ACHIEVEMMENTS:

  • History

The social economy intergroup already has a positive track record.

Created in 1990, it was successively chaired by French MEP Marie-Claude VAYSSADE, Italian MEP Fiorella GHILARDOTI, French MEP Marie-Hélène GILLIG, and Belgium MEP Philippe BUSQUIN. Throughout the years, the social economy intergroup has played a significant role in the EU democratic process.

  • EP Own initiative report on social economy

In 2005, members of the intergroup triggered the demand for the establishment of an own initiative report on Social economy in the European Parliament. The request was accepted in 2008. Italian MEP Patrizia TOIA was appointed rapporteur for the Employment and Social Affairs Committee. The report was adopted in plenary on 19th February 2009 with nearly 80% of the votes in favor.

  • Organisation

The intergroup bi-monthly meetings have provided precious opportunities for discussion for more than 30 EU and national level organisations.