Project-news

Better Stories

RESISTIRÉ is collecting promising practices in 31 European countries (in the EU27, Iceland, Serbia, Turkey, and in the UK) which alleviate the impact of COVID-19 policies on inequalities. Borrowing the term from Dina Georgis, these “Better stories” of policies or civil society initiatives aren’t a perfect fix but illustrate how a given societal situation can be improved. Find out more about the concept of Better Stories.

These initiatives and policies collected by our national researchers will be completed as the project unfolds and serve to inform the Open Studios and the co-creation of recommendations for policymakers.

Browse by country or by domain of inequality!

Deep Poverty Network’s impactful journey

Deep Poverty Network’s impactful journey

In December 2019, Deep Poverty Network (DPN) was established as part of the Open Space Association by a group of researchers, ... Read More

Safe living space for LGBTI youth

Safe living space for LGBTI youth

ReAJo - Autonomy Response for LGBTI Youth is the pioneer autonomy flat dedicated to young lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or intersex ... Read More

Shaping the world of elderly residents

Shaping the world of elderly residents

Club Goud was launched by Moniek van Daal. Prior to launching the initiative, Moniek had spent more than 10 years volunteering at an ... Read More

Relay houses and nurseries open for caregivers

Relay houses and nurseries open for caregivers

The Relay houses (maisons relais) are operated by municipalities alone or with the support of facility managers from CSOs (in this ... Read More

Providing help during crisis: From COVID to war

Providing help during crisis: From COVID to war

This initiative was created to help people who, due to Covid-19 restrictions, were forced to stay at home. The target group is composed Read More

Supporting children in challenging times

Supporting children in challenging times

Happy Days is an organization aiming to assist children facing physical, mental, and emotional challenges, and young carers and their ... Read More

Addressing food insecurity during crisis

Addressing food insecurity during crisis

Örebro Stadsmission (city mission) was founded in 2015 but distributed left over food before then in limited scale under a different ... Read More

A pioneering advocate of responsible consumption

A pioneering advocate of responsible consumption

Led by the cooperative Options, the campaign was launched during the pandemic crisis to promote solidarity and inclusivity. Its primary Read More

From balcony numbers to active associations

From balcony numbers to active associations

A group of neighbors in Vallecas (Madrid), along with various collectives and community associations, organized through WhatsApp to ... Read More

COVID-19 and HIV: Sens Pozitiv Association’s response and advocacy

COVID-19 and HIV: Sens Pozitiv Association’s response and advocacy

Sens Pozitiv Association is an NGO working to improve the quality of life of HIV patients and of persons from vulnerable categories who Read More

A student-led compassion

A student-led compassion

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Guiding vulnerable individuals from adversity to empowerment

Guiding vulnerable individuals from adversity to empowerment

During lockdown, Stichting Mano displayed resilience by swiftly developing digital programms tailored to local citizens with limited ... Read More

Ketu Care’s food delivery initiative in response to crisis

Ketu Care’s food delivery initiative in response to crisis

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaleesa den Haanin launched a project in the northern part of Rotterdam, known as Rotterdam Noord. Twice ... Read More

Providing support to the transgender community during COVID-19

Providing support to the transgender community during COVID-19

During Covid-19 lockdowns many operations of transgenders were cancelled. Transvision offered all kinds of help, such as help via a ... Read More

A night shelter for homeless women

A night shelter for homeless women

Starting from April 2021, Caritas Luxembourg has been operating a new mixed night shelter called "L'Espoir" in Bonnevoie, under the ... Read More

The transformative power of collective action and compassion

The transformative power of collective action and compassion

CRiTiCALL was developed by the Dublin City Volunteer Centre, in collaboration with other organizations, in response to reports of ... Read More

A framework for family’s carers during the pandemic

A framework for family’s carers during the pandemic

The Family Carer Support project aims to provide much-needed assistance to families caring for older individuals. This initiative ... Read More

The Impact of INCLUSIVE SPACES on LGBTQI Rights

The Impact of INCLUSIVE SPACES on LGBTQI Rights

A two-year education project, INCLUSIVE SPACES, in partnership with some of the most prominent LGBTQI organisations in the country, to ... Read More

Empowering women’s shelters through navigating digital challenges

Empowering women’s shelters through navigating digital challenges

The project was launched on short notice in response to the pandemic as part of the Federal Funding Program "Together against violence ... Read More

Transforming Lives and Homes

Transforming Lives and Homes

Compagnons Bâtisseurs Haut de France is a regional Community Service Organization (CSO) based in northern France and is an integral ... Read More

Transat’s impact during lockdown

Transat’s impact during lockdown

Today, transgender as a gender identity remains unfamiliar to the public, leaving trans individuals vulnerable to daily transphobic ... Read More

Nappi Naapuri’s initiative: A platform addressing needs during crisis

Nappi Naapuri’s initiative: A platform addressing needs during crisis

Nappi Naapuri is as a neighborhood social platform aiming to fostering social connections and leveraging proximity as a valuable shared Read More

A collaborative efforts to prevent domestic violence in Estonia

A collaborative efforts to prevent domestic violence in Estonia

The project, funded by the EU's Local Development and Poverty Reduction programme and Norway Grants, is a collaborative effort between ... Read More

Bridging the Age Gap and Fostering Lifelong Learning

Bridging the Age Gap and Fostering Lifelong Learning

This ambitious project, initiated by the Estonian Association of Pensioners' Associations, aims to empower elderly individuals by ... Read More

A Danish nationwide network of volunteer helpers

A Danish nationwide network of volunteer helpers

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

A mobile café to support peripheral areas

A mobile café to support peripheral areas

To mitigate the negative consequences of the corona crisis, the KFUM's Social Work created a mobile café concept – called urgent social Read More

Free social helpdesk to redirect vulnerable populations during crisis

Free social helpdesk to redirect vulnerable populations during crisis

The Fédération des services sociaux (FSS) operates in Wallonia and Brussels. It has an ambitious vision of supporting social actors ... Read More

Temporary accommodation for victims of domestic violence

Temporary accommodation for victims of domestic violence

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Offering psychological support to children affected by the COVID Crisis

Offering psychological support to children affected by the COVID Crisis

Concordia Bulgaria Foundation initiated activities under the project "Life after COVID - psychological support for Children and ... Read More

A guide to manage COVID-19 risks for people with disabilities

A guide to manage COVID-19 risks for people with disabilities

The ASMeD, Associazione per lo studio dell'assistenza medica alla persona con disabilità, and the Italian Society of Ergonomics and ... Read More

COVID accommodation for homeless people

COVID accommodation for homeless people

The City’s initiative was established partially in response to NGOs and other civil society actors’ lobbying efforts which advocated ... Read More

Breaking social isolation in the wake of COVID-19

Breaking social isolation in the wake of COVID-19

This initiative was funded by the City of Reykjavík and ran by volunteers from PeP Iceland, who organized and hosted the project. The Read More

Long live the girls! Providing support for homeless women

Long live the girls! Providing support for homeless women

A local organisation with a wide range of activities In Hungary, the Budapest Bike Maffia has been paying close attention over the ... Read More

A successful initiative of flexible treatment for substance abusers

A successful initiative of flexible treatment for substance abusers

Reden (‘The Nest’) is a shelter for women in substance abuse and prostitution located in the inner city of Copenhagen and established ... Read More

Community Health Workers: improving access to primary healthcare for vulnerable groups in Belgium

Community Health Workers: improving access to primary healthcare for vulnerable groups in Belgium

Community Health Workers is a pilot project aiming to improve access to primary health care for vulnerable groups in lower ... Read More

IG24 – Representing migrant live-in caregivers in Austria

IG24 – Representing migrant live-in caregivers in Austria

The Interessengemeinschaft der 24-Stunden-Betreuer_innen (IG24) is a self-organised, non-partisan association which aims to represent ... Read More

The Invisible First Line – A campaign to tell the stories of those who help

The Invisible First Line – A campaign to tell the stories of those who help

The Invisible First Line campaign raises funds for crisis and counselling centres for women victims of domestic violence in Bulgaria. Read More

An app and second-hand smartphones to help women exposed to violence

An app and second-hand smartphones to help women exposed to violence

The “Technology for Women, Solidarity for all of us" programme delivered second-hand smartphones to women at risk of violence in Turkey. Read More

Susma Bitsin (Speak Up To End) Platform

Susma Bitsin (Speak Up To End) Platform

The Susma Bitsin (Speak Up To End) platform combats sexual harassment and discrimination in the film, television and theatre industries. Read More

Maru the Chatbot

Maru the Chatbot

Maru is a chatbot promoting internet freedom and safety. Read More

Ending gender-based violence in the EU

Ending gender-based violence in the EU

The European Commission is proposing a new directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. Read More

#ThankYouForTheFlowers, a campaign to raise awareness of the unequal burden borne by women during the pandemic

#ThankYouForTheFlowers, a campaign to raise awareness of the unequal burden borne by women during the pandemic

A group of feminist NGOs reunites under the movement #MultumescPentruFlori (#ThankYoufortheFlowers). Read More

A campaign against digital violence

A campaign against digital violence

The bodyright campaign and “The Virtual Is Real” website highlight the danger of digital violence. Read More

An Equity Audit to measure the impact of the pandemic on young people

An Equity Audit to measure the impact of the pandemic on young people

The Scottish Attainment Challenge Equity Audit provides a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 and school closures on ... Read More

Digital kit on human rights and ethics in teaching

Digital kit on human rights and ethics in teaching

The Raoul Wallenberg Academy offered its expertise by developing a digital kit for teachers. Read More

‘Remote School’ programme

‘Remote School’ programme

The ‘Remote School’ programme was started to facilitate remote education in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More

A support system for teachers (the SYPO project)

A support system for teachers (the SYPO project)

The SYPO Project helps educators to develop various personal and professional skills. Read More

’TV teacher’, interactive school classes broadcast on TV

’TV teacher’, interactive school classes broadcast on TV

Czech Television created a series of live interactive school classes called TV Teacher [UčíTelka]. Read More

Addressing the impact of remote learning on vulnerable groups

Addressing the impact of remote learning on vulnerable groups

During the pandemic, the French government implemented policy measures to address the growing digital gap. Read More

Bringing Internet to rural areas

Bringing Internet to rural areas

The Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) has launched a project called ‘Internet to Villages’, which aims to bring internet ... Read More

Psychological support line for the academic community

Psychological support line for the academic community

The University of Porto provided a psychological support line during the pandemic to help ameliorate any new or increased mental health Read More

Studying at a distance for Roma youths

Studying at a distance for Roma youths

Cáritas de Coimbra, a Portuguese charity, specifically supported Roma pupils and students during the pandemic. Read More

Supporting youth, parents and teachers’ mental health

Supporting youth, parents and teachers’ mental health

The Latvian government implemented a three-pronged policy measure designed to provide relief to youth, parents, and teachers from the ... Read More

Increased support for gender-based violence survivors in Latvia

Increased support for gender-based violence survivors in Latvia

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Supporting gender-based violence survivors in Lesvos Island

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Survival Kit for Men under pressure

Survival Kit for Men under pressure

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Pandemic Map of Turkish Municipalities

Pandemic Map of Turkish Municipalities

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Operation Faoiseamh – protecting survivors of domestic abuse

Operation Faoiseamh – protecting survivors of domestic abuse

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

Paris as a 15-minute city

Paris as a 15-minute city

The City of Paris is carrying out far-reaching measures to become a ’15-minute city’, meaning that inhabitants should be able to reach ... Read More

Engaging Dads and Supporting Families

Engaging Dads and Supporting Families

In Ireland, fathers' changing roles due to Covid-19 were highlighted at a webinar hosted by the Childhood development. Read More

Protecting and assisting victims of gender-based violence

Protecting and assisting victims of gender-based violence

To alleviate the impacts of COVID-19 policies, many initiatives have been developed by civil society organisations - NGOs, local ... Read More

A national collective agreement to outline telework arrangements during the pandemic in Belgium

A national collective agreement to outline telework arrangements during the pandemic in Belgium

In Belgium, the National Labour Council (NAR) concluded a national interprofessional collective agreement on teleworking during the ... Read More

Supporting women in Poland through the ‘Success is ME’ programme

Supporting women in Poland through the ‘Success is ME’ programme

The ‘Success is ME’ programme aims to support women in Poland and get them active in the labour market. Read More

‘New Ways to the Water’: bringing nature closer to home

‘New Ways to the Water’: bringing nature closer to home

In Essen, Germany, the municipal authorities have set as their long-term objective the connection of green spaces and  waterways  ... Read More

Crowdfunding to support medical staff in Latvia

Crowdfunding to support medical staff in Latvia

The aim of this initiative is to support medical staff in Latvia during the Covid-19 crisis. Read More

Dope Black Dads

Dope Black Dads

A group of black fathers in London have started their own podcast to challenge stereotypes and share their experiences of fatherhood. Read More

How the pandemic led to more nursing influence on policy in the Netherlands

How the pandemic led to more nursing influence on policy in the Netherlands

If the health crisis revealed that nurses are among the most important employees in a hospital, they had until then little influence or Read More

Helping is sexy: a fundraising programme to support sex workers in a state of emergency

Helping is sexy: a fundraising programme to support sex workers in a state of emergency

Berufsvertretung Sexarbeit Österreich launched a campaign focusing on the precarious working conditions of sex workers in the context ... Read More

Supporting children during the COVID19 crisis: the “Not Alone” Programme in Italy

Supporting children during the COVID19 crisis: the “Not Alone” Programme in Italy

The "Not Alone" Programme is an integrated programme implemented by Save the Children in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which ... Read More

A partnership to provide safe homes during the pandemic

A partnership to provide safe homes during the pandemic

This UK initiative aims to bring the housing sector and refuges together to get survivors who are ready for move on right now into a ... Read More

A support network for the LGBT+ community in France

A support network for the LGBT+ community in France

At the beginning of the pandemic, Inter-LGBT member organisations joined forces to help vulnerable LGBT+ communities during the crisis. Read More

Crowdfunding to support single parents in Czech Republic

Crowdfunding to support single parents in Czech Republic

The initiative responds to the long-term precarious situation of single parents in the Czech Republic and the fact they have been hit ... Read More

Alleviating the impacts of the pandemic on Hungarian minorities

Alleviating the impacts of the pandemic on Hungarian minorities

In Hungary, WeAreOpen partnered with non-profits to produce a report on the impact of the pandemic on minorities in the workplace. Read More

Educating the youth on sexual health as a way to prevent GBV. Inspiring initiative in Latvia

Educating the youth on sexual health as a way to prevent GBV. Inspiring initiative in Latvia

During the period of Covid-19 induced restrictions, the Latvian NGO Papardes Zieds offered video and online lessons for young people ... Read More

A nation-wide campaign to reassure victims of domestic violence that support services are “Still Here”

A nation-wide campaign to reassure victims of domestic violence that support services are “Still Here”

In Ireland, the Still Here campaign brought together the Department of Justice, NGOs, and private actors to inform victims of domestic ... Read More

Queerwaves helps queer night workers in Turkey dealing with economic difficulties due to the pandemic

Queerwaves helps queer night workers in Turkey dealing with economic difficulties due to the pandemic

The initiative puts forward partying as a form of resistance for the queer community in Turkey and organizes parties and special events Read More

Yo no las dejo solas: a fundraising to help domestic workers during COVID-19

Yo no las dejo solas: a fundraising to help domestic workers during COVID-19

In Spain, the campaign “Yo no las dejo solas” called for crowdfunding to provide financial support to domestic workers who had lost ... Read More

Equal = equal: a digital hackathon to collect ideas for gender equality in Germany

Equal = equal: a digital hackathon to collect ideas for gender equality in Germany

The hackathon is a 48-hour digital, generation-spanning online workshop open to men and women of all ages aimed at providing a creative Read More

Information resources for Traveller women experiencing domestic violence

Information resources for Traveller women experiencing domestic violence

The Irish NGO Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre has led an inspiring initiative to counter the unequal access to justice of Roma ... Read More

Guidelines for social workers working with women and children victims of gender-based violence during the COVID-19 pandemic

In Serbia, KonekTaS platform produced guidelines to draw attention to the vulnerable situation of women and children victims of ... Read More

What are your Better Stories of supporting vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis?
Have you witnessed or taken part in inspiring initiatives?