Open Cultural Center is a registered non profit organisation active in both Spain and Greece, working towards the inclusion of refugees and migrants through educational and cultural activities. We work mainly with volunteers to offer language classes, technical workshops, sports activities, cultural events, and women and children’s support to the wide variety of communities we work with. At the same time, we work on an international level to create awareness about the situation of refugees while working with many European partners to increase our social impact.
Mission
OCC equips migrants with tools to access opportunities and build a future while advancing equality and inclusion within local communities through intercultural exchange, education, and advocacy.
Vision
OCC will strive to become a key player within the community of organizations working to enhance the social and economic integration of migrants at a local level and an important voice advocating for policies that protect the rights of migrants and favor their inclusion within a diverse European society
Purpose
OCC wants to strongly contribute to an inclusive society without barriers to the legal, social and economic participation of migrants as equal and valued members of society.
Values
Inclusion & Diversity, Community Building, Volunteerism, Youth Empowerment, Innovation
How we started
Open Cultural Center (OCC) was established in 2016 at the height of the refugee crisis in Europe. Refugees and international volunteers at Idomeni refugee camp worked together to give classes and create a safe environment for children and adults, to learn and take part in cultural activities. OCC quickly became an important resource in the camp and organised events such as music and art workshops, open mic nights, performances and more.
Today, Open Cultural Center is active in Polykastro, Greece, and in Barcelona, Spain. Through our centers, OCC provides refugees, migrants and members of the local communities with access to a wide range of projects including non-formal education, language classes, employability workshops, and cultural activities.
Our goals
1
Social & Economic Inclusion
Migrants have improved ability, access and opportunity to participate and thrive in their new communities
2
Youth
Young people – especially young migrants – are engaged and empowered to positively influence their environment and their own future
3
Community
More cohesive and inclusive local communities value diversity and provide mutual support
4
Social Transformation
Greater awareness, understanding, and dialogue around migration contributes to positive attitudes and social change
5
Social innovation
Knowledge, innovation and evidence generation enhance the efficacy and reach of inclusion initiatives
6
Beyond borders
Cooperation with OCC Greece and transnational partnerships extend the reach and impact of OCC programming
Our main target groups
Refugees
Definition: A refugee is a person who has fled their own country because they are at risk of serious human rights violations and persecution there. The risks to their safety and life were so great that they felt they had no choice but to leave and seek safety outside their country because their own government cannot or will not protect them from those dangers. Refugees have a right to international protection.
Asylum Seekers
Definition: An asylum-seeker is a person who has left their country and is seeking protection from persecution and serious human rights violations in another country, but who hasn’t yet been legally recognized as a refugee and is waiting to receive a decision on their asylum claim. Seeking asylum is a human right. This means everyone should be allowed to enter another country to seek asylum.
Migrants
Definition: There is no internationally accepted legal definition of a migrant. Like most agencies and organizations, we understand migrants to be people staying outside their country of origin, who are not asylum-seekers or refugees. Lots of people don’t fit the legal definition of a refugee but could nevertheless be in danger if they went home.
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