Put Relvinha in center! With a Socio-cultural center in the neighborhood.

Fundraising for the construction of a socio-cultural space for Bairro da Relvinha. Residents, with a history of struggle and mobilization in Coimbra, continue to claim the right to the city, culture and citizenship.

Residents of Relvinha have a unique history of struggle and mobilisation in the city of Coimbra. Nowadays, they continue to claim the right to the city, to culture and to citizenship. In 2003, with Coimbra as Portugal's Capital of Culture, the Project Relvinha CBR_X was promoted by the Civic Association Pro Urbe: its goal was to build a socio-cultural space to stimulate cultural activities, gathering and get-together and preserve the spirit of conviviality and union that characterizes our neighbourhood.

This is why we ask the friends of this neighborhood's, throughout the city, country and around the world, to join in this fundraising campaign and support this cause. Sixteen years have passed since its inception, yet this project has not been completed. This appeal arises from this need, so we hope you join us!

About the author

Relvinha has a 50-year rich history of fighting for housing and culture. Since 1960, the residents of Relvinha lived in squalid slums (commissioned by the Coimbra City Hall) and have engaged in an unequal struggle to reverse their housing situation. In 1974, they formed the Residents' Association and built 34 worthy houses, in a self-construction effort that involved all residents and students from all over Europe, including Dutch, Belgians, Germans, Spanish, French and Danes. The heroic struggle of Relvinha has reach the world and garnered the sympathy of all. Now, the Board of the Association wants a Social and Cultural Centre that gives residents conditions for socializing and leisure.

Budget and due dates

We need 30.000 euros for the improvement of the current building of the Social and Cultural Center of the Relvinha neighborhood, as well as for the construction of the annexes provided in the project (two rooms made of masonry, with glass doors). Inside the current building, we will improve the thermal insulation and fix the roof. In the annexes, we will build a room with 18.1 m² that will serve as an archive, to preserve the memory of the important struggle of this neighborhood, and the board room, furnished with a table for meetings of the social bodies, among other purposes. The other 21.7-m² multipurpose room will be furnished with tables and chairs, a small library and computers for residents who would otherwise not have access. In the event that the Coimbra City Hall grants the corresponding building permits, we estimate that works will be completed by the end of 2020.

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