Neighbourhood cohesion is key to fostering a sense of belonging, trust, and mutual support among residents, which directly contributes to the overall well-being and resilience of a community. Cohesive neighbourhoods are better equipped to address common challenges, such as crime, poverty, and health disparities, through collective action and the sharing of resources. However, neighbourhoods often lack the instruments and social practices that feed and foster social cohesion.
The goal of this project was to empower citizens in documenting their neighbourhood memories through digital storytelling. We designed the tools, processes, and social practices to engage citizens in digital storytelling while improving their digital literacy skills.
The project was commissioned in 2024 by the Horizonte Neighbourhood Residents Association, Penha de França Parish Council, and the “O Relâmpago” Recreational Sports Association. We co-created an after-school digital storytelling literacy program to empower children to collect the memories of their neighbourhood by interviewing its residents. Stories are then edited and uploaded to a digital platform. Users can navigate and enhance stories or create new stories through an interactive guide. The project is currently being tested so it can be deployed and showcased in a neighbourhood event.
partners
