Biciklopopravljaona, volutary bicycle workshop based in Zagreb, is collecting old bicycles, repairing them together with refugees and donating them to refugees. We donated more than 100 bicyles in 2017 enabling refugees to freely explore the city and integrate faster in the cheapest and environemntaly friendly way. In the same time, we saved 100 bicycles from being thrown in the trash.
Bicycles for refugees in Zagreb
Project owner: Zelena akcija/ Friends of the Earth Croatia
Responsible person: Eugen Vuković
2018
2,000 Euro Prize
HR
Civil Society / Social Economy
Education
Diversity
What is it about?
Appreciation of the Jury
Innovative in an unspectacular, effective in a simple way: Many of the city’s inhabitants come to the workshop with their bicycles. And since, amongst workers and repairers there, there are people who have fled from their homes, the locals and the refugees meet each other inevitably. Bicycles for Refugees brings people together while they are engaged in an activity. The meeting thus happens as a by-product, casually. For many residents this is the first time that they directly, “really” come into contact with the newly arrived. Riding the bikes makes exploration of the new environment possible. To see and to be seen facilitates integration. If it works, it’ll be good for everyone, also the environment.
