PAWsitive Parks: When Care, Culture, and the City Come Together
- EER
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Project Summary
At ESAI EN ROI, we believe that social change begins where empathy meets action.Skyrthalia vol. II – PAWsitive Parks stands as a powerful expression of this belief—an initiative we are deeply proud of, for both its impact and the values it represents.
Implemented in Thessaloniki as a 20-day international volunteering project under the European Solidarity Corps, PAWsitive Parks addressed one of the city’s most pressing and sensitive challenges: the wellbeing of companion animals in an urban environment. Rather than approaching the issue solely as a matter of management or policy, the project embraced a holistic vision—connecting animal welfare with sustainability, culture, education, and active citizenship.
A City Seen Through Empathy
Thessaloniki’s stray animal crisis is not only a logistical or health-related concern; it reflects how societies relate to vulnerability, coexistence, and shared responsibility. PAWsitive Parks reframed this reality through a lens of care and participation, inviting citizens to see animals not as a problem to be managed, but as living beings sharing our public spaces and daily lives.
Young volunteers from across Europe worked side by side with the local community, observing, listening, documenting, and responding creatively to the realities of the city. Parks, streets, schools, and public squares became spaces of dialogue—where environmental awareness, responsible pet care, and civic values could be explored collectively.
Art as a Tool for Social Awareness
One of the project’s defining strengths was its strong cultural dimension. Through photography, music, choreography, and performance, volunteers transformed lived experience into shared meaning. Three (3) public performances during the Christmas period brought together festive spirit and social reflection, creating an open, inclusive moment where joy, care, and responsibility coexisted.
The musical interpretation of the project manifesto will follow, along with visual storytelling and short reels, allowing the message of PAWsitive Parks to reach beyond words—touching emotions and fostering connection. Art was not decoration; it was a language of empathy and action.
Education, Research, and Community Engagement
Education formed a central pillar of the project. Volunteers visited schools, engaged children and young people through experiential activities, and promoted responsible attitudes toward companion animals. At the same time, a comparative research initiative explored animal welfare practices and policies across participating countries, reinforcing the project’s European dimension.
The project culminated in a public symposium, where findings, experiences, and creative outcomes were shared with stakeholders, professionals, and the wider community—strengthening dialogue and encouraging long-term reflection.
Tangible Achievements We Are Proud Of
PAWsitive Parks resulted in a rich set of outcomes:
a public performance connecting culture and animal welfare,
a collective manifesto that will be also set to music,
audiovisual content documenting urban realities,
personal stories and testimonies from volunteers,
educational materials and practical guides for citizens,
a comparative European research on companion animal care,
meaningful engagement with schools and local communities.
Beyond deliverables, the project empowered young people to grow as empathetic, active citizens and contributed to a broader conversation about sustainable, compassionate urban living.
Moving Forward
For ESAI EN ROI, PAWsitive Parks is more than a successful project—it is a statement of identity. It demonstrates how volunteering, culture, and education can converge to address complex social issues with sensitivity, creativity, and impact.
We remain committed to transforming awareness into action and action into a lasting culture of care—where cities evolve not only to be greener and smarter, but also kinder to all beings who inhabit them.
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