Cross-sectoral cooperation under the Košice 2.0 project led to an innovative solution for the refugee centre
Soon after the Covid restrictions were lifted, Slovakia came into an extremely close contact with the war when Russia attacked its eastern neighbour, Ukraine, at the end of February 2022. Located only 90 km away from the border, the city of Košice became a transit hub for Ukrainian refugees, mostly women and children, while many of those displaced also found temporary refuge here.
Since wellbeing of the city dwellers ranks among the key topics of the Košice 2.0 project, it was impossible to ignore this turn of events. Thus, project activities have been modified to reflect the new situation with the aim to include the refugees and new inhabitants of the city and to assist them.
UIA expert Haris Biskos wrote about the adaptation of some of the project activities recently in the project journal.
Another activity related to the topic mentioned above is the formation of a cooperation between Manifest 2020, Shigeru Ban Architects, Ikea and the Association of the Samaritans of the Slovak Republic, thanks to which the Paper Partition System (PPS) intervention has been carried out under the scope of this project in Vojany Reception Centre near the Ukrainian border.
"When large-scale disaster occurs, many disaster victims are forced to live in evacuation facilities. In Japan, there are situations where people have no other choice but to sleep on the floor side by side and privacy has not been well ensured. To overcome this problem, simple paper partition has been developed by using paper tubes as structural frames and cloths to be hanged on the frames. The cloths can be opened and closed like a curtain in order for people to check their health conditions. It also enables ventilation to keep the living environment of evacuation facilities hygienic.“ (Shigeru Ban Architects)
The association of the Samaritans of the Slovak Republic, which provides assistance to people fleeing the war directly at the border, welcomed the PPS solution. The organization launched their operation at the border immediately after the Russian attack and later they also established a reception centre where they provide emergency medical care and temporary shelter so that the refugees can gain some strength before travelling further. The centre can take up to 100 people.
This cooperation ranks among the prime examples of best practices, as the teaming up of cultural and creative industryCI and other sectors shows that cross-sectoral cooperation results in innovative and efficient solutions.
Košice 2.0 project
Košice 2.0 project
Košice 2.0 project
Košice 2.0 project
Košice 2.0 project
Košice 2.0 project
Košice 2.0 project
Culture and cultural heritage
