ESC: Balkan Hotspot Media Lab

United Societies of Balkans (USB) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation based in Thessaloniki, working in the field of youth, human rights and intercultural dialogue. It was founded in 2008 by a group of active young people who wanted to address the social issues which affect the youngsters in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. It envisions a global and inclusive society, where citizens are equally empowered to contribute to the shaping of a world with less prejudice, discrimination and other forms of injustice. Key areas of the organisation’s activities concern the defence of human rights, the promotion of intercultural dialogue, support of youth and youth with fewer opportunities in getting engaged in society and develop skills. USB’s local and international projects and activities aim at: • Promotion of the values of non-formal learning, voluntarism, active citizenship and democracy for the creation of a better future for the European youth; • Promotion of human rights, solidarity and respect for diversity amongst youth and the society; • Involve minorities and immigrants into youth activities; • Promote cooperation between countries of the area of the Balkans and Eastern Europe with the rest of Europe; • Use New Media and Citizens’ Journalism methodologies to encourage youth expression, to raise awareness about Human Rights and to promote intercultural dialogue; • Use of arts as a tool for the expression of youth and to address social issues; • Use sport and physical activities as a tool of interaction and integration for the youth and groups at risk of exclusion; • Promote the intercultural dialogue and the knowledge of the peculiarities of each culture; • Break down prejudices and stereotypes among the European countries and amongst youth; • Support the youth in taking action for the protection of the environment. The activities run by USB to achieve the aims mentioned above are taking place at a local and international level. Regular activities of the organisation are: - Participation to European and international projects to offer the opportunity to our local volunteers and other local youngsters to meet and interact with other youngsters from Europe while volunteering or getting engaged in other activities based on non-formal education methods. - Organisation of workshops on media (journalism, videomaking, radio, social media) for the youth and supporting through our staff the youngsters to create outputs addressing relevant social or cultural issues. The channels used are the Balkan Hotspot Media-lab (www.balkanhotspot.org) and all the communication channels of the organisation (blog, Youtube channel, social media, BalkanBeats magazine) - Organisation or participation in campaigns and activities online and offline (flashmob, workshops, events, exhibitions etc.) addressing important societal issues and fighting any discrimination. Some of them are Volunteer Day, European Action Week Against Racism, EU Green Week, EU Sport Week, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Condom Day, Europe Day, Refugee Day, Thessaloniki Pride, Language Exchange events (Tandem), sports events for the inclusion of groups at risk of exclusion (Football for All). - Organisation of workshops, courses and cultural events at “Balkan Heart”, the cultural hub created by USB in 2018. - Publication of researches and the creation of tools to support non-formal education and youth workers. The organisation’s target group is mainly youth between 16 to 30 years old, regardless of their educational, cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds. Other target groups are youth workers and relevant institutions for the youth (schools, other associations, municipalities) Networking: United Societies of Balkans believes in networking and the creation of long-lasting synergies and has been a member organisation of UNITED for Intercultural Action, Salto-Youth, Thess Network-regional NGO network, FERYP (Forum of European Roma Young People), Anna-Lindh Foundation (co-head of the Greek National Network), Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU International), Youth Express Network (YEN), Butterfly Dreamer and DYPALL (Developing Youth Participation at Local Level).