UNIT 4
The main part of our activity will require a physical space to be delivered in. Although some parts of if are flexible and could be delivered through blended methods.
Our activity is a full manifestation of Reduce at the local level through the initiative of communities.
Through our activity the academic concept of circular strategies of production takes life through actions and initiatives at the consumer/local/community level.
Duration
1h workshop + 30 min debriefing is suggested (1h 30 min in total to deliver your workshop during the training).
We expect for the swap part to last approximately 30/40 minutes, after a reflection on possible swap parties in each of the participants’ communities will follow which will last approximately 40/50 minutes at the end we’ll do a 10/15 minutes debriefing.
Objective of the workshop
The objective of our workshop is to allow participants to familiarize with swap parties as one of the concepts and practices of Reduce, and how to apply it in their own community. It also aims at normalizing practices of exchange rather than dispose or keep unused. The key objective will be for participants to build confidence and skills for them to be able to imagine, project and deliver a swap party in their community.
Material needed to deliver your workshop during the training: Tables, chairs, boards, papers and laptops.
Description of the activity
It will require people to bring a small object (e.g. a book) which they are aware that they don’t use anymore but are unable to imagine another user to donate it to. We will provide a practical guide/toolkit for key aspects which need to be considered when organizing a swap party.
PHASE 1
Swap Party
The workshop will begin with a swap party where all participants having followed our instruction will bring an object which they are willing to exchange. This first part will also involve people expressing feelings and emotions attached to the object and reasons for why they chose to exchange it. This is expected to help people soften their attachment to the object and be able to give it a new life by giving it to someone who will be able to make a better use of it.
PHASE 2
How to
Once the participants have experienced the swap party they will have a clear idea of the experience and be able to imagine it in their own community. At this point facilitators will be delivering a guide with key steps on what to do in order to organize your own swap party.