Catalyst of Change
Supporting a vibrant civil society in Europe
CooLabora
coolabora.ptCooLabora is a social intervention cooperative founded in 2008, guided by values of social cohesion, equal opportunities, democracy, participation and collaborative learning. Its mission is to support the development of people, organisations and communities through innovative strategies that promote equal opportunities, civic participation, education, training and social inclusion. The cooperative aims to drive social transformation through high-quality, ethical interventions and promote social innovation to create lasting positive impact.
About the Project
Collaboratory – Youth Activism for Women’s Rights
The project aimed to address the problem of gender inequality and the need to give young people opportunities to build advocacy skills and challenge stereotypes. CooLabora involved young people in human rights activism focused on gender equality and LGBTQI+ rights, supporting them to design and run awareness campaigns. They took part in training based on non formal education and mentoring, which strengthened their knowledge and active citizenship, motivating them to keep fighting for the issue. The project delivered two exhibitions, a street names campaign, a sexual harassment self-diagnosis leaflet and an artistic residency. These initiatives raised visibility of gender equality issues in the municipality and even prompted action from local authorities.
Communication Outputs
Media Coverage
CooLabora’s highly successful advocacy received coverage in national and local newspapers, online magazines, on the radio, and even on the national television channel:
Ativistas fixam placas toponímicas com nomes de mulheres nas ruas da Covilhã
Jovens dão novos nomes às ruas da Covilhã para destacar igualdade de género – Rádio Cova da Beira
Campanha da CooLabora reivindica mulheres na toponímia da Covilhã – Diário 560
Ativistas fixam placas com nomes de mulheres – Observador
Ativistas fixam placas toponímicas com nomes de mulheres nas ruas da Covilhã
Project Communications
CooLabora carried out extensive media activities for its project, including two exhibitions and a successful street names campaign. Examples of social media posts from the exhibitions and campaign are shown below.
Funded by the European Union
name
Catalyst of Change: Protecting the Union values by supporting a resilient, engaged and vocal civil society for the promotion of women’s rights, environmental justice and anti-corruption
partner
European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting (ECNL)
duration
1 January 2023- 31 December 2026
budget
3,411.982 EUR
