Esai en Roi Cultural Organization of Macedonia – Thrace

The Skyrthalia program was an 18-day volunteer initiative with the main goal of implementing and promoting basic green practices in urban parks in western and eastern Thessaloniki. In collaboration with the municipalities of Thessaloniki (Municipal Communities B and E) and Pavlos Melas, volunteers acted as observers and commentators on the state of public infrastructure. The recording concerned deficiencies or malfunctions, such as the absence of recycling bins, inadequate orientation and safety signage, as well as the misuse or damage of public equipment. In this way, the collective responsibility of all those involved – institutions and citizens – for the final result was highlighted.

The ultimate goal of the action was to enhance urban sustainability, to cultivate respect and responsibility towards the city's green spaces and park flora, and to improve the functionality of public spaces for the benefit of citizens' everyday use. In the final stage of the initiative, proposals for targeted environmental improvements were formulated.

At the same time, the young volunteers contributed to promoting the concept of the "urban green neighborhood" through creative interventions. For example, they built structures from recycled materials in a park in the municipality of Pavlos Melas and designed an intervention plan for parks in Thessaloniki, combining the promotion of cultural memory with the enhancement of residents' quality of life.

The action was part of the broader "Be Sustainable, Sportive and Cultural" initiative, which runs until 2027 and is structured in four thematic phases: Greener | Safer | Animal-friendly | Recycling-friendly. Each phase involves new groups of European Solidarity Corps volunteers, who contribute to specific aspects of the regeneration of urban parks, with continuous documentation and active citizen participation.

Target audience of the Action Plan

The action plan was designed and implemented in a twofold manner of intervention towards the target groups: (1) on the one hand, each age group 
actively participated in the implementation in its own way, (2) on the other hand, each group benefited substantially from the interventions, cultivating conditions for its own better future. The participation and corresponding added value for each age group are reflected as follows:

Minors (children and adolescents)
Participation:  The "Scyrthalia" collaborated with schools in Western Thessaloniki, creating structures from recycled materials (e.g., benches) that were placed in Karatasou Park.
Benefit: The parks served as safe spaces for play, exercise, and environmental learning, while the structures served as experiential tools that reinforced ecological awareness and respect for local history from an early age.

Young adults (18–30 years old)
Participation: They were actively involved as volunteers, collaborated with peers from different countries, and co-created recreational and ecological 
activities.

Benefit: The revitalized parks provided opportunities for recreation, cultural expression, and ecological participation. Young people were empowered as ambassadors of sustainable urban living, combining action and education.

Middle-aged citizens (30–60 years old)
Participation: Parents,  volunteers, and local representatives engaged in dialogue with the volunteer team, while two trainers provided technical knowledge of photography and videography to young people.

Benefit: Ideas were generated for improved urban infrastructure that enhances family, sports, and cultural activities. Parks as safe, clean, and functional spaces enhanced quality of life, while cultural heritage interventions emphasized their role as vehicles of intergenerational memory.

Seniors (60+)
Participation: Retired professionals (painter, ironworker, and carpenter) contributed with technical guidance and supervision during construction.

Benefit: The improved infrastructure of the parks enhanced social interaction, mental well-being, and safety in their daily movements. The interventions with elements of cultural heritage cultivated an emotional connection and recognition of their contribution to local history.

Visitors and tourists (of all ages)
Participation: They were invited to support the action through the open resolution of the Manifesto.

Benefit: They gained access to a sustainable and culturally rich urban landscape, which promotes Thessaloniki as an ecological and welcoming destination, reinforcing responsible tourism.

The program lasted only 18 days, from December 6 to 23, 2024, and was implemented within the framework of the **European Solidarity Corps** as a voluntary group action. Despite its short duration, the achievements were impressive, as in less than three weeks the participants managed to produce a set of actions with a significant impact: training courses, creative workshops, artistic productions, public interventions, and a collectively inspired manifesto. Good timing, the right distribution of roles, and excellent guidance from the supervisor allowed the team to work with impressive efficiency, avoiding fatigue and making the most of the limited time available. The ability to organize and coordinate, combined with the momentum and creativity of young people, proved that even in such a short time frame, a rich and multidimensional result can be achieved that exceeds the usual limits of a short-lived program.

The SKYRTHALIA project was a creative experimental space that combined art, the environment, and participatory democracy. Young people, volunteers, and professionals collaborated through photography, storytelling, filmmaking, recycled material construction, and nature workshops. The program began with training in observation and photography, continued with visits to and study of nine parks in Thessaloniki, and culminated in an open symposium where the participants' findings and proposals were presented.

The parks studied were:

• 5th Community of the Municipality of Thessaloniki: Botanical Trail, Water Garden, Rose Garden, Garden of Memory, Garden of Sounds.
• 2nd Community of the Municipality of Thessaloniki: Park of Nations, Ivanov Park.
• Municipality of Pavlos Melas: Karatasou Interthematic Park, Pavlos Melas Metropolitan Park.

The study of these spaces emphasized the connection with nature and the daily lives of residents, bringing art into the urban fabric.

The program also included:

• Photography and video creation workshops, where young people were invited to capture issues that concern them about the city's green spaces.
• The creation of a Manifesto, which was a collective product of inspiration and action.
• Festival of Muses Innovation (December 18, Karatasou Park), with workshops, performances, and exhibitions.

Our strengths

Through intensive travel and art photography workshops (December 7–10), participants produced over 300 professional photographs. This is material of exceptional quality, which is expected to be hosted in exhibitions and cultural venues before the end of the year, as a true visual masterpiece. The highlight was the Muses Innovation Festival (December 18, Karatasou Interthematic Park). Volunteers and employees acted as motivators, trainers, and coordinators, actively contributing to every stage: from program design to the production of artistic products. The intercultural composition of the team added value, as it enhanced interaction, empathy, and a sense of belonging, with workshops, performances, and exhibitions that highlighted the collective artistic work. Last weekend, the volunteers attended a seminar on video recording and screenwriting. They were then given the task of creating a short reel each, capturing issues that concern them in the city in relation to its maintenance and green spaces. The material was posted online via the organization's social media, and there is also a special list of all the material posted on YouTube.

Collaborations and synergies

The success of the project was based on broad collaboration:

• The 2nd and 5th Communities of Thessaloniki, where several activities were hosted.
• Municipality of Pavlos Volunteers and employees acted as motivators, trainers, and coordinators, actively contributing to every stage: from program design to the production of artistic products. The intercultural composition of the team added value, as it enhanced interaction, empathy, and a sense of belonging. Mela, which provided substantial support for the events and hosted activities at the Karatasou Interthematic Park and the Pavlos Mela Metropolitan Park.
• The international Global Waste Cleaning Network, which reinforced the dimension of ecological innovation.
• Artists, educators, environmental and university bodies.

The project was funded by the European Union/European Solidarity Corps, highlighting its importance at European level. Its promotion at local, regional, and international level strengthened the credibility of the ESAEI EN ROE organization and provided models of good practice that can be replicated. The collaboration highlighted the value of the local community and brought together citizens, schoolchildren, students, and volunteers, building bridges between art, education, and ecology.

Volunteers and employees acted as motivators, trainers, and coordinators, actively contributing to every stage: from program design to the production of artistic products. The intercultural composition of the team added value, as it enhanced interaction, empathy, and a sense of belonging.

The program was implemented in the city of Thessaloniki, focusing on the city streets, as well as various parks and themed gardens in eastern and western Thessaloniki. Specifically, we focused on the following outdoor green spaces:

From the 5th Community of the Municipality of Thessaloniki >

• Botanical Trail
• Water Garden
• Rose Garden
• Garden of Remembrance
• Garden of Sounds

From the 2nd Community of the Municipality of Thessaloniki >

• Park of Nations
• Ivanov Park

From the Municipality of Pavlos Melas >

• Karatasou Interthematic Park
• Pavlos Melas Metropolitan Park

The SKYTHALIA program left behind:

• a manifesto of collectivity and ecological awareness,
• artistic products (300+ photographs, videos, narratives),
• new cooperation networks,
• proposals for creative sports and recreational activities,
• a legacy that connects art with sustainable development.

Specific results:

• A manifesto was created, the words of which were set to music and combined with photographic material to produce a video that was posted on YouTube.
• A volunteer researcher recorded the "emotional barometer of parks" through interviews with citizens; the research was published on ResearchGate.
• An outdoor workshop was organized: five wooden benches were built under the guidance of two retired craftsmen and placed in a school garden in Karatasou Park as an example of intergenerational cooperation and experiential learning.
• A mobile Gazebo was designed by a volunteer in collaboration with an outstanding architecture student from Rome; although the project did not proceed due to licensing restrictions, the study provides an important basis for future applications.
• Volunteers participated in recycling and artistic creation workshops as part of a local festival.
• Daily tours of the city and the orientation game "Oionon Kyniageia" strengthened the bond with the urban space and the value of sustainable mobility.
• The young people acted as commentators on sustainability issues through photography and video, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for improving the urban environment.

All of these actions proved that the momentum, creativity, and participation of young people can lay the foundations for a more humane, collaborative, and sustainable future.

Strengthening partnerships and networking

We've revived existing partnerships with the Municipality of Pavlos Melas, the Second and Fifth Communities of Thessaloniki, schools, university networks, cultural and environmental organizations. The international dimension was strengthened through the promotion and visibility of our work as members of the Global Waste Cleaning Network.

Profile and visibility upgrade

The implementation and promotion of the program at the local, regional, national, and European levels highlighted the organization as a pioneer in connecting art, ecology, and participation. Publicity through social networks, events, and support for local festival actions by ESAEI EN ROE (Mouson Kainopragia) increased the organization's recognition.

Innovation in educational and artistic practice

The organization gained valuable experience in non-formal education through experiential workshops. New models were developed that can be applied or replicated in future programs (e.g., manifesto, participatory constructions, workshops with recyclable materials).

Human capital and skills

The organization's team, employees, and collaborators were strengthened with new knowledge, skills, and intercultural experience. Collaboration with volunteers highlighted the ability to inspire, organize, and coordinate multifaceted actions.

Long-term sustainability

The actions left tangible and intangible traces (e.g., benches in the school garden, photographic and video material, manifesto). The experience gained from the organization and the recognition of the project strengthen the organization's ability to apply for new grants and programs in the future.