From anywhere in Spain, and around the world, young people come to labscreactiva, not in all cases having a social project in mind, but they do have in common the enthusiasm to learn, and the need to participate in changes that improve their social environment. They believe that another world is possible, and for this they take on a not simple challenge, to contemplate from another perspective around them. The objective: to create other models of a more just and egalitarian society through communication and creativity.
The labscreactiva, proposed by Jovesolides and Red Creactiva are an open space for interaction and collaboration, in which we discover them, and the assistants, techniques and innovative tools CSSP (Creative Solutions to Social Problems). Spaces in which ideas are shared, boundaries are blurred and creativity overflows.
It is precisely what Judith Blázquez, from San Sebastián, has liked the most, that constant stimulus of creativity. “I believe that everyone is born with creativity, but in schools we are very limited and we are not left free to create what we want. And I find it very sad that they destroy that part of you. Because being creative you can solve many problems.”
Another of the most outstanding characteristics by those attending the laboratories is that nothing theoretical is taught. “Everything is through dynamics and teamwork, so necessary for any social change,” says Judith, an industrial design engineer whose main concern is education.
In these workshops also land people like Dani Sanchiz, 24 years old, geographer with an interesting innovative social project under his arm. His desire is to create together with three other friends (all present in the last workshop) an environmental consultancy focused on the social. “We want to work on the revitalization and regeneration of vulnerable neighborhoods. And we want to do it through collaborative and direct work with both the neighbors there, as with the rest of the citizens.” For this young man the main problem of society is “the lack of equity and awareness with people who are different from us. Whether by ethnicity, religion, or purchasing level.”
You do not need a social project to participate in the workshops
the impression of all people after participating in a labcreactiva, space container of ideas for change, is very positive. On a general level, attendees value the diversity of profiles present, the permanent abuse of creativity and the breaking of stereotypes.
And it is not necessary to come with an innovative project, or with an idea to develop. There are many people who come just to learn new things. As is the case of Carla Partal, administrative in a hospital. “My main interest in attending these workshops is above all learning. I had always understood the word entrepreneurship from an economic point of view… but social innovation is creating solutions to problems creatively. Think outside the box.” This 29-year-old dreamer who signed up to “break her own barriers”, emphasizes that everything learned will be ”instilled” in her little sister. In addition, Carla would encourage anyone to participate in the experience. And sentence “my project is myself, and I will reverse what I learned in my environment.”
Something similar thinks José Antonio Aguilar, one of the committed geographers who enjoyed the last labcreactiva. At the age of 28 he has already received together with his colleagues a Social Entrepreneurship Award for the best territorial idea. For him social innovation “is not something new.” As he points out, “things have always been done to favor people.” And for him that it has not been his first time in courses of this type, the most important thing is that “they empower you, and encourage you to do more things”.
If you are between 18 and 30 years old, whether or not you have a social project in mind, discover how these workshops work. The next ones will take place on 18, 19 and 20 November in Valencia. This labcreactiva is developed within the Project #Innovat of Jovesólides to promote social entrepreneurship among European youth with the help of the Erasmus plus program of the European Union.
