In these projects, based on experiential learning by the participants, we support the development of personal and collective creativity as a tool to make visible the reality of these people, develop their confidence, self-esteem and social participation and also to reflect on their reality and the society. It also favours healthy human relationships, a new exchange with the environment and the development of new skills.

These individual benefits can led to a larger social change.

Some examples below

DONOSTIATOPIA

This is a short photovoice workshop led by Héctor Mediavilla in Donosti in April 2022 .

On 8, 9 and 10 April 2022, the photographer Héctor Mediavilla, led a participatory photography workshop at the Photographic Society of Gipuzkoa, within the program of educational activities organized by the Consortium Africa Indispensable Gipuzkoa formed by the NGOs Proclade Yanapay, ACPP and TAU Fundazioa and financed by the City of Donostia.

SUEÑOS REFUGIADOS (REFUGEE DREAMS)

From January to June 2017, a group of 11 young asylum seekers from 4 continents participated in this photography and collage workshop held in Barcelona.

In June 2017 a large format photographic exhibition of their work was opened in the public space of Glòries Square in Barcelona.

In November 2019 at the request of two participants -Nanthasri and Osama- we created the cultural association SUEÑOS REFUGIADOS so as develop cultural projects…

In 2015 I created and directed “Puc Fer un Milió de Coses”, a participatory photography project in which 13 adults with Limited Intelligence (IL) participated during 10 months.

Every participant created his ow artist book with their chosen title using the traditional Japanese binding technique.

They also held a collective exhibition at the headquarters of the district of Gràcia, near the facilities of the Acidh. 

COSES DE DONA / IDN MARTORELL

At the end of 2013 I conducted my first participatory photography workshop.

A group of  middle-age women from Martorell, with low level of education and income participated in the project “Coses de Dona/IDN Martorell”, whose results were exposed in the exterior walls of the Martorell market and inside the Ateneu Cultural de Martorell. 

Although I had always believed in journalistic and documentary photography committed to reality as a tool of transformation of our society, it was not until I discovered participatory photography that I really understood the power of photography as a tool of personal and social transformation.