Social Center Dunja -- A call for support
Donation protected
Social Center Dunja is a self-managed community center in Skopje, Macedonia. Founded in 2016, it is named after Nevena Georgieva-Dunja, a young Macedonian partisan woman who was executed by the Nazis in 1942. Anti-fascist, anti-racist, and social justice activities form the backbone of our collective, in a time of rising fascist sentiments and global inequality. We are located in the heart of Skopje, the most polluted city in Europe, which suffers from extreme poverty. Our goal is to create a more equal society in Skopje, Macedonia, and the world. At our center in Skopje, we have consistently organized events in support of the homeless, labor unions and workers’ struggles, feminist causes, the LGBT community and the environment. We are strong supporters of the independent arts in Skopje, which are often marginalized by the state. Our doors are open to everyone who needs our solidarity or wishes to organize with us. Below is a list of the public events we have organized since 2016, over 180 in total:
Below: A public discussion in the backyard
Lectures / Discussions / Presentations - 26
Film screenings (with follow-up discussions) - 52
Book promotions - 5
Workshops - 11
Seminars - 2
Free-exchange flea markets - 3
Humanitarian events - 2
Art exhibitions - 9
Poetry readings - 6
Gigs & concerts - 42
Plays - 2
Social gathering & parties - 25
In January 2017, when the temperatures dropped below -15 C (5 F), we opened the social center for 3 weeks as a temporary shelter for homeless people. Around thirty volunteers collected in organizing the shelter, gathering community donations and together prepared more than 500 meals. As a long lasting result of the campaign, one homeless person confined to a wheelchair was able to secure permanent housing.
Below: A reading of Harry Potter for children from the Skopje orphanage before New Year's Eve. Children’s books donations were organized and book gift packages were distributed to the kids.
Besides public events, our center offers a space where various grassroots initiatives and organizations hold their meetings and connect. The independent jazz choir Artizan holds its rehearsals in the center. The social center also houses its own library available to visitors, built through community effort and donations. Reading groups on various topics have been organized at the center. Maintaining a non-consumerist approach, we have built most of our furniture ourselves collectively, in workshops open to the public.
Help us pay the rent and utilities for one year!
In the beginning, our rent and bills were covered by a grant administered by Solidarnost, a Macedonian movement for social justice. However, for nearly a year now, the center has been supported solely through donations and grassroots fundraising. Yet such support has its limits in an economically struggling country and we are now struggling to raise enough funds to cover the basic monthly costs for running the center. On average, these amount to 500 euros per month (570 usd). The members of the Dunja collective are all volunteers, dedicating a large part of our time to maintaining the space and helping with organizing.
More about Social Center Dunja - https://www.facebook.com/SCDunja
Below: A public discussion in the backyard
Lectures / Discussions / Presentations - 26
Film screenings (with follow-up discussions) - 52
Book promotions - 5
Workshops - 11
Seminars - 2
Free-exchange flea markets - 3
Humanitarian events - 2
Art exhibitions - 9
Poetry readings - 6
Gigs & concerts - 42
Plays - 2
Social gathering & parties - 25
In January 2017, when the temperatures dropped below -15 C (5 F), we opened the social center for 3 weeks as a temporary shelter for homeless people. Around thirty volunteers collected in organizing the shelter, gathering community donations and together prepared more than 500 meals. As a long lasting result of the campaign, one homeless person confined to a wheelchair was able to secure permanent housing.
Below: A reading of Harry Potter for children from the Skopje orphanage before New Year's Eve. Children’s books donations were organized and book gift packages were distributed to the kids.
Besides public events, our center offers a space where various grassroots initiatives and organizations hold their meetings and connect. The independent jazz choir Artizan holds its rehearsals in the center. The social center also houses its own library available to visitors, built through community effort and donations. Reading groups on various topics have been organized at the center. Maintaining a non-consumerist approach, we have built most of our furniture ourselves collectively, in workshops open to the public.
Help us pay the rent and utilities for one year!
In the beginning, our rent and bills were covered by a grant administered by Solidarnost, a Macedonian movement for social justice. However, for nearly a year now, the center has been supported solely through donations and grassroots fundraising. Yet such support has its limits in an economically struggling country and we are now struggling to raise enough funds to cover the basic monthly costs for running the center. On average, these amount to 500 euros per month (570 usd). The members of the Dunja collective are all volunteers, dedicating a large part of our time to maintaining the space and helping with organizing.
More about Social Center Dunja - https://www.facebook.com/SCDunja
Organizer
Aleksandar Shopov
Organizer