europe on the ground

OPINION europe on the ground : Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Schaarbeek: spot the crime in Brussels

Anderlecht, Molenbeek, Schaarbeek: spot the crime in Brussels

Petty crime and unemployment rates (17.6%) are high in inner city Brussels, which registers a low violent crime rate in Europe. Nevertheless, police arrested 12 Belgian Albanians linked to a crime gang on 15 February*, whilst certain districts remain dangerous. Is this down to the crisis?

by Thimi Samarxhiu @ , cafebabel.com // 01/03/10 - 4 Comment - 9 votes

europe on the ground, balkans, albania, candidate countries, financial crisis, violence, red light district

FEATURE europe on the ground : 'Les Petits Riens': social enterprise in Brussels

'Les Petits Riens': social enterprise in Brussels

In times of crisis, is it time to go second hand? In Brussels, the shop run by 'The Little Nothings' organisation is just the ticket. As well as offering cheap furniture, books and household appliances, it gives the homeless another chance

by Yvonne Pöppelbaum @ // 23/02/10 - 1 Comment - 5 votes

europe on the ground, les petits riens, belgium, brussels, economical crisis, cities, society

FEATURE europe on the ground : Sofia's directors and playwrights boom despite barebone budgets

Sofia's directors and playwrights boom despite barebone budgets

In Bulgaria there are no cultural policy programmes and the crisis has consumed the ministry coffers. Filmmakers like Kamen Kalev, playwrights and other creative minds demand government transparency and methods to support their enterprising spirit. Part one of a five part 'EU crisis on the ground' city series

by Ariadna Matamoros Fernàndez @ // 04/01/10 - 3 votes

europe on the ground, balkans, cinema, art, culture, youth, sofia

'Journalists vs EU crisis in Italy': we take Turin for a spin

'Journalists vs EU crisis in Italy': we take Turin for a spin

The Mole Antonelliana (pictured) is the symbol of Turin, appearing on 2 cent Italian euro coins. It also represents the radical economic and cultural modern orientation of the northern Italian city: a synagogue-cum-national cinema museum. Take the perpendicular streets to find out how the the Piedmontese capital prepares for the future. It's famed for its industrial past, but the financial crisis has unveiled new challenges for everyone. Five journalists tackle the topics of immigrants, young entrepreneurs, good slow food and the ommipresent Fiat heritage of the city to provide you with the first stop in cafebabel's 'EU crisis on the ground' editorial mission

Gallery

Image : Gay, lesbian and kid pride in 'cool' Cologne

Gay, lesbian and kid pride in 'cool' Cologne

Cologne hits the high waters

Cologne hits the high waters

'Köln' (pronounced 'Keuhln') stands discreet but turbulent in its touristic and economic crossroads in Europe. From one side, 60, 000 students argue about the European university harmonisation process called 'Bologna'. On the other side, the local extreme-right Pro Köln party provokes islam- and religious freedom defenders. Add to that the biggest national gay pride gathering activists of the homosexual struggle. Five EU journalists take the temperature of a city which gave its name to the famous Eau de Cologne perfume - read the final stop of our twelve-city writing mission, 'EUdebate on the ground' (video and photo gallery below)

Cologne versus Bologna: German students get mobilised See the video

- Video Cologne versus Bologna: German students get mobilised

30/07/09

europe on the ground, university, bologna process, germany, video, students, cities

Vilnius has its own republic, and it's called 'Užupis' See the video

- Video Vilnius has its own republic, and it's called 'Užupis'

24/07/09

europe on the ground, arts, city, eudebate 2009, vilnius, cities, poetry

Berlin wall: version Vilnius 2009

Berlin wall: version Vilnius 2009

Nostalgic? Nearly two decades after ‘die Wende’, as the Germans call it, the Lithuanian capital has become the EU capital of culture. In 2009 though, it is still fighting its old demons. Russian symbols have been erased without mercy. A cold soviet wind blows through the Baltic republic with regards to energy. Belarusian students find exile in a special university four hours from Minsk. The domestic brain drain is ongoing. Three journalists plus one photographer and one videomaker (see below) hunt the clash of cultures in our monthly cities stop: 'EU Debate on the ground'

Behind the scenes: journalism with cafebabel.com team in Vilnius See the video

- Video Behind the scenes: journalism with cafebabel.com team in Vilnius

25/06/09 - 1 Comment

europe on the ground, video, eudebate on the ground, vilnius, cities, eudebate2009, lithuania

Gallery

Image : 48 hours in Vilnius: EU capital of culture and tradition

48 hours in Vilnius: EU capital of culture and tradition

Brussels: the old age of youth

Brussels: the old age of youth

The crisis is synonymous with young unemployent. The capital of Europe is currently baiting its breath for the European elections between 4 and 7 June 2009. Within, 33% are young jobshunters. Yet the Belgian capital remains an Eldorado for internships, its opportunities in multinationals and for being a fairground for new European politics. We feel for the precarities of the days, its languages and the nights. Three journalists, a video maker and a photographer from the cafebabel.com network feature in this month's 'cities' mission, named 'EUdebate on the Ground'

Strasbourg goes the extra green mile See the video

- Video Strasbourg goes the extra green mile

27/05/09 - 1 Comment

europe on the ground, cities, sustainable developement, european elections 2009, strasbourg, eudebate2009, écologie

Gallery

Image : Strasbourg in black and white via a 1984 Nikon FA 35mm reflex

Strasbourg in black and white via a 1984 Nikon FA 35mm reflex

Citizens denounce Cesar Pelli's Cajasol tower in Seville See the video

- Video Citizens denounce Cesar Pelli's Cajasol tower in Seville

13/05/09

europe on the ground, video, architecture, eu debate on the ground, protests, spain, penis

Seville's spangled glory

Seville's spangled glory

Who do you meet when you hit the epicentre of southern Spain, slap bang in the middle of its easter orgy of tradition, the Semana Santa? Parking attendants reinserted into society, immigrants despite Spain's hand in the EU return directive, Cuba's 'friends' and a far-left youth questioning the crisis which is crippling the nation. In video and images below this edition, the glory days of the Expo '92 site have faded into urban decay in one part of the city, and are translated into the phallic novelties of the new Cajasol tower and the city's first ever metro line. Three journalists, a video maker and a photographer from the cafebabel.com network feature in this month's 'cities' mission, named 'EUdebate on the Ground'

Gallery

Image : Expo '92 site, Seville: 17 years of gone glory

Expo '92 site, Seville: 17 years of gone glory

Prague between devil, sea or EU?

Prague between devil, sea or EU?

The Czech capital is adapting to its new position in Europe and the world in a period of zigzag lines. The economic crisis awakens fantasies of protectionism, the country's six-month EU presidency reigns in popular euroscepticism, there are immigration regulations even when there are no more foreigners to kick out and US president Obama doesn't know if he will pin the anti-missile shield on the Czech map. Which way is the Czech Republic going? Three journalists, a video maker and a photographer from the cafebabel.com network feature in this month's 'cities' mission, named 'EUdebate on the Ground'

Up on the Luxembourg downs

Up on the Luxembourg downs

In a crisis-shaken Europe, even the financial fortress of Luxembourg swung low with the downfall of the Fortis and Dexia institutions. But the Grand Duchy has so much more to offer than bribe money affairs and corny young bankers. Integration, European elections and the Luxembourgish language - the newest cafebabel.com local hub provide us with an insight into their country

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Europe on the ground in the babelblogs

Squandering Kosovo's Aid funds

A big part of EU Aid for reconstruction projects of Kosovo has been wasted due criminal activities, corruption, frauds and mismanagement reports German daily Die Welt on 18th Dec. 2008. As base of this claim are the investigations conducted by the EU Anti Fraud Office (OLAF), UN investigators and the ...

AriRusila by AriRusila on arirusila

Cafebabel.com including Budapest office is a Golden Star!

On the 13th November 2008 a Golden Stars award ceremony took place in Brussels in the presence of Ján Figel. The European Commission awarded 12 projects, which belonged to the three actions of the Europe for citizens program, ie. Town twinning, Civil society and Remembrance.

Csacsillus by Csacsillus on budapest

Brussels on the ground: European Bubble

«There is relative transparency inside the bubble, points out the young American. You know the person, the donors, the different position - everyone understands each other really well». Tom Huddleston, Policy Analyst. Yiorgos Vassalos, Corporate Europe Observatory «It is clear that most of the experts come from governments. There is industry ...

Nat Röfu by Nat Röfu on linea

cafebabel.com EU Reporter project wins European commission ‘Golden Star’ award

The European commission has selected our ‘EU Reporter’ project from twelve other civic participation projects that encourage action and debate on EU issues at a grass-roots level.

Spock by Spock on coffeefactory

Kalba Vilnius: news recycled (video)

Undisclosed owners, hidden adverts, plenty of dubious information of the low quality – all these transparency problems can be observed in Lithuanian media. The journalists who gathered in the EOTG debate in the end of September shared different attitudes towards the problems.

Dionizas by Dionizas on vilnius