Mahallae is designed as a digital neighbourhood that incorporates innovation and digital technology into the work of civil society and those looking to create positive change in their neighbourhoods and communities. The platform includes games, tools and resources; it has a space where people can come together to create new initiatives and receive support and funding; finally, it will feature stories of civic engagement and social change. The digital neighborhood aims to reach not only the local Cypriot audiences, but people in the Middle East, North Africa and Central/Eastern European regions.

Efforts for the establishment of the Mahallae platform builds on the longstanding partnership between UNDP-Action for Cooperation and Trust and Cypriot civil society. Built in collaboration with the Mahallae and bringing together a number of civil society actors together, including Peace Players, Cyprus Community Media Centre (CCMC), Management Centre, the NGO Support Centre, Association for Historical Dialogue and Research (AHDR), Mediators and Conflict Resolution Trainers, Youth Power, and Language Bridge.

“Mahallae is an excellent documentation of civic engagement efforts of Cypriot civil society through the years. It also allows good practices and examples to be shared with the peoples of different countries involved in civic engagement efforts. It is an innovative tool that shows what people can do by joining forces,” said Ellada Evangelou of the Mahallae team. The platform will first be introduced to the public as part of a meet-up event at the Home for Cooperation on January 23. A workshop will take place to help participants come up with innovative ideas for the Mahallae Challenges that will be announced in March, guiding participants to come up with creative, out-of-the-box solutions that use technology for social change.

In early 2014, Mahallae will launch its first Challenge, inviting social innovators to come up with ideas to tackle challenges in different areas relating to social cohesion and reconciliation. Winning ideas will receive grants to be developed into projects. For both events, guests are encouraged to RSVP beforehand to info@mahallae.org For more information please contact Ellada Evangelou at ellada@mahallae.org or Mehmet Erdogan at mehmet@mahallae.org. More information on Mahallae can be found at the Mahallae Facebook Page or Mahallae Twitter account.

Source: Cyprus Mail