WHAT IS DREAMTOWN DOING IN MBARE?
DREAMTOWN
is a Copenhagen based NGO that works for the wellbeing of young people in cities. This is done by focusing on the development of safe, green and creative spaces for young people in vulnerable communities. Through research, action and stories, we work on strengthening young people’s capacity as active citizens. Dreamtown’s work spans across Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Kenya and Denmark, and is based on three strategic programmes, SAFE, GREEN and CREATIVE public spaces.
HOUSE OF ARTS
is a Zimbabwean, youth led organisation that focuses on promoting artistic activities and at the same time using art as a tool for development. Their work is echoed in their motto Reshaping communities through arts. The core team managing the activities of HAA is comprised of a dedicated team of young artists and activists. Coming from the vulnerable communities of Harare, they carry a great deal of legitimacy amongst vulnerable young people living within the poorest areas in Harare.
THE PARTNERSHIP between Dreamtown and House of Arts Association (HAA) formally started
in the summer of 2019. Through the support of CISU and Roskilde Festival, we started piloting different artistic approaches towards mobilising young people to become active citizens. The results and feedback from the initial exploratory phase was overwhelmingly positive. A large network of artists working for social change has been developed; important cultural institutions has been approaching us to build partnerships; young people from slums have become eagerly engaged in our activities; and a productive collaboration with government authorities has been established. When the pilot projects came to an end in June 2020, we wanted to build on the momentum we had created for improving the wellbeing of young people in urban slums in Zimbabwe. In so doing, the intervention - KEY TO THE CITY - started in July 2020.
SAFE CITIES
GREEN
