Community and Fixing Workshop

Our project focuses not only on eco-conscious living and sustainability but also on helping those who cannot afford repairs or new purchases, often bringing items from rural areas. We keep a notebook where we record requested items, and when donations of that nature arrive, we call the person in need. We also have a Facebook group where we share the requests we receive. Some clothing donations are sent to a nearby homeless shelter, where we also volunteer—helping in the garden or cooking together. Our students with disabilities actively participate in this. The shelter houses 170 people, mostly elderly and in poor health. When possible, we also deliver food donations through our corporate partners.

We aim to raise awareness of the power of community, encouraging people to pay more attention to one another and connect in person. We are not just here to help but also to provide a space where people from diverse ethnic, ideological, cultural, and religious backgrounds can meet. This fosters dialogue between different social groups and reduces prejudice. It also teaches that giving and receiving are both valuable, according to one's abilities. A good example is the elderly grandfather who, after searching for clothes for his grandchildren, brings us a dish of food when he sees us working late, ensuring we don’t go hungry. Or when someone who receives clothes for free brings them back if they don’t fit, and sometimes offers something in return.

We work with a permanent team of six people, together, but we also have volunteers. We have a shared email address where we maintain a calendar for bookings and appointments. This allows us to track the hours worked and the number of items repaired. Everyone can view and manage this, so we can plan months in advance. We also log phone and in-person inquiries. The relevant technician always responds to the emails. In our shared messenger group, we discuss any questions with each other. Internal administration and other requests are recorded in a notebook, as many do not use the internet, and we coordinate these with one another. Our volunteers assist us with practical tasks.

The innovation in implementation lies in the fact that our project combines community and social goals with sustainability and recycling, while applying a flexible and adaptive operational model. By focusing not only on repairing items but also on meeting community needs, we have created an environment that serves as both a social hub and a sustainable workshop. The involvement of volunteers and close cooperation with local communities enables the project to build strong connections with the target group, while continuously adapting to local demands.

The innovation in public opinion formation lies in the fact that our project not only represents sustainability and community goals but also actively fosters dialogue and mutual attention among groups from different social backgrounds. Instead of merely sharing information, we provide opportunities for local communities with diverse social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds to engage with each other, share experiences, and support one another. Furthermore, through social media, local events, and activities, we promote sustainable living and social responsibility, while actively shaping public opinion and fostering social inclusion and the reduction of prejudices.