Our Stories, Our Rights: Citizenship and Democracy

More than 14 million people without German citizenship live in Germany — 1.5 million of them born there. In Italy, 5 million non-EU residents include 1.3 million minors raised and educated in the country. In both countries, these residents cannot vote, cannot run for office, and face restrictions on assembly, movement, and employment — excluded from political participation while subject to the policies that govern their lives.  And yet many are already organizing, advocating, and fighting against this democratic deficit. "Our Stories, Our Rights" builds on that existing energy and expertise. This collaboration not only professionalizes educational efforts for non-citizen adults and counters harmful stereotypes — it strengthens European democracy by demonstrating that collective, cross-border action is essential for achieving equitable policies and a genuine sense of belonging.

Exchange of educational methods, joint planning, and training development The project began with a series of meetings in Florence between October and December 2025, where project coordinators Olga Gerstenberger (With Wings and Roots e.V.) and Sonila Tafili (IParticipate) exchanged educational methods, shared practices in adult education and community organising, and jointly developed the concept for the Berlin workshop. The collaboration continued in February 2026 with a three-day preparation meeting in Berlin — bringing together the coordinators, trainers, and With Wings and Roots board member Miman Jasharovski — and included a study visit and exchange with Mallika Basu at the Migrationsrat Berlin, focusing on naturalisation support, grassroots political participation, and advocacy strategies. Learning and Exchange Activities  From 26 March to 1 April 2026, 15 participants from Germany and Italy came together in Berlin for five days of intensive training. Participants developed personal narratives, strengthened storytelling skills, and produced short-form video content using mobile phones — combining hands-on media production with peer exchange, reflection, and public dialogue. Facilitated by Masha Burina, Sujin J. Noël, and Siyawash Jekta, the workshop moved from foundational storytelling to practical media production and concluded with group reflection, shared outputs, and planning for continued collaboration. A public screening of "The Right to Have Rights" at Migrationsrat Berlin opened the workshop to wider community dialogue, followed by a discussion with workshop participants, Miman Jasharovski, Jennifer Kamau from International Women Space, and Senka Majda from IParticipate. Three online follow-up sessions extended the learning process, covering storytelling and the power to win, campaign planning and collective action for migrant justice, and lessons from successful campaigns. Creation of a Handbook The project will produce a trilingual handbook (English, German, Italian) consolidating best practices, training materials, and participant contributions from across the project. Documenting lessons learned in political participation, storytelling, media production, and advocacy, it will serve as a lasting and replicable resource for non-citizen adults, trainers, and organizations advocating for rights and democratic inclusion across Europe.   Dissemination and Events  Two public events in Berlin and Florence will present the project's key outcomes — including the handbook, training materials, and participant-produced videos — creating a platform for dialogue among migrant communities, educators, activists, and policymakers. All materials will be disseminated via social media, newsletters, and EU platforms, ensuring broad accessibility for migrant-led organizations and advocates across Europe.