Our Common City

For more than a decade, the government has been pursuing a policy that not only discredits civil society organisations and independent initiatives in the public discourse, but also hinders them through legislation, further isolating rural CSOs. The Association of Alternative Communities and Amnesty International Hungary are therefore organising a festival in Debrecen under the name “Our Common City” to raise awareness of the valuable work of local CSOs, to inform residents about their causes and activities, and to support their work. Social recognition and the more direct contact with locals are also a force that keeps civic activism alive.

The festival will showcase local CSOs, and in the run-up to the event, they will promote the upcoming event through stalls and flash mobs. The Association of Alternative Communities is also launching a local Civic Award to recognise the most active organisations. Local CSOs will also regularly consult with each other beyond the festival to establish permanent contacts and create a real civil reconciliation platform in Debrecen, supporting, helping and promoting each other.