Peripatos had the pleasure of participating in the CRISALIS (CReative Initiatives in Social Enterprises for Assistance, Labour. Integration and Self-Development) programme, an initiative funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund) of the European Union (AMIF). The programme supports women survivors of human trafficking by providing them with opportunities for social inclusion and economic empowerment.
Over the course of 18 months, and in collaboration with the two youth social enterprises Progetto Quid (Italy) and Makers Unite (Netherlands), as well as with the expertise and experience of The Language Project (Greece), we worked to create a safe space where these women could express themselves freely, share their stories, and find strength through creativity. The programme provided meaningful employment opportunities, creative workshops, and co-creation activities, supporting both their social inclusion and economic empowerment.
As part of our involvement in the project, we conducted creative self-expression workshops with a focus on the emotional benefits of art. These workshops took place in July 2019 in Amsterdam and Verona. The creative experience we designed and facilitated aimed to serve both as a starting point and a vehicle for a deeply therapeutic process (art therapy). The artworks created by the participants reflect the outcomes of this introspection -whether through bold colors or clear written messages. Vivid colors, nature scenes, portraits, and words such as “hope,” “respect,” “friendship,” and “time to reflect” reveal the emotional landscape and needs of these women.
We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the courage and trust they showed in taking this important step with us.