Through skateboarding, we support and promote the wellbeing, empowerment and social cohesion of youth in Athens. Together, on and off the board, we push for a welcoming and diverse Athenian skate scene and society.
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Our portable skatepark allows us to have a wide and varied weekly program, this is fundamental to our work. We teach several sessions across various locations every week, bringing people together in public parks, refugee camps, local schools and projects. This allows us to engage with kids of different ages, genders and from many different social, economic and cultural backgrounds.
We create inclusive spaces where we provide access to skateboarding
for all.
We delivered skateboarding sessions at refugee camps in and around Athens, including Malakassa, Eleonas and Schisto. Refugee camps tend to be built in isolated areas far from the city, underserved by public transport, hindering access to essential services and any efforts towards social inclusion. Free Movement delivered skateboarding sessions in camps, in order to offer an activity for the enjoyment and wellbeing of the camp’s youth, bringing skateboarding to some of the most marginalised people in the Attica area. We also provided regular trips for our participants to skateparks in Athens, to give them a change of environment, to inspire them and to give them an opportunity to interact socially with others.
Unfortunately, a combination of government policies setting unattainably high standards to any grassroots NGO and heavy handed refugee controls has made the camps inaccessible to us as of July 2020. We are doing what we can to renegotiate our way back into providing camp sessions and working with these young people again. We miss these participants dearly and have been told they miss skateboarding too.
Through active outreach, we offer skateboarding sessions to some of the most isolated and marginalised communities in Athens. By providing free of charge skateboarding sessions, we provide an inclusive, accessible and safe space.
We believe that through creating a space to foster wellbeing and togetherness, individuals can fulfill their potential and develop community, for a more cohesive Athenian society.
Skate Meets for girls and womxn are designed to bring the existing skateboarding community together, as well as inviting new-comers and absolute beginners. Skateparks can be intimidating spaces – especially for people from marginalised communities – so that is why we come together twice a month to celebrate inclusivity and diversity in skateboarding! We provide a team of all womxn instructors thanks to the help of Girls on Skateboards Greece, and skateboards and protective equipment for those that want them. We encourage everyone to get involved, keep an eye on our instagram for the next meet up!
Making space for all skateboarders, in the skatepark and beyond.
Latraac is a skate bowl and cafe located in Keramikos, designed by Zachos Varfis and built with the help of the local skate community. We regularly held community days at Latraac, bringing young people from various partner projects to skate with Greek locals, old and young, at a world class facility.
Unfortunately, this is paused due to Covid 19.
Our methodology is underpinned by three main aims:
We achieve this with a mobile skatepark and regular weekly schedule, allowing for wide and varied sessions in public spaces across Athens. We create safe, inclusive and calm spaces for young people of all backgrounds, to learn the fulfilling and joyful skill of skateboarding, in order to build their confidence and establish friendships.
Free Movement Skateboarding believes:
- In improving accessibility to positive recreational activities that improve mental and physical wellbeing.
- In creating open and safe spaces for workshops and sessions, inclusive of everyone, no matter their gender, sexuality, nationality, religion or social background.
- In promoting and celebrating diversity, equality and inclusion by having a team that mirrors the diversity of the young people we work with.
- In facilitating supportive communities based on friendship, solidarity and acceptance. Widening social networks for marginalised youth, which will support their social cohesion.
- In the importance of empowering youth to learn new skills, be themselves and use their voice.
- In using our platforms to raise awareness of the social issues impacting our community.
All sessions, activities, equipment and guidance are and always will be free of charge.
Since 2018, we’ve closely measured our impact…
2018
241
Total Sessions
1,609
Total Participants
Female Participation
- We worked with youth from more than 32 different ethnicities, living in Athens.
2019
297
Total Sessions
3,740
Total Participants
Female Participation
- We worked with youth from more than 32 different ethnicities, living in Athens.