europe on the ground

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

'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

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

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

• Keeping Turin's Fiat factory in the family: post-industrial Italy
• Startups, ethics and the crisis: focus on young people in Turin
• M**Bun, Eataly, GROM: the organic flavour in Turin

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)

• The world in an Eau de Cologne bottle
• FrauTV, Emma: women top the media tower in Cologne
• 'Institutionalising' extremism in Cologne's Pro Köln movement

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'

• Soviet nostalgia: Russian drink, bunker parties and film in Vilnius
• Visit to the EHU: Belarusian elite university exiled in Vilnius
• 15.5% unemployment, diaspora: Lithuanians try luck elsewhere
• Energy in Lithuania: tick A, B or C for 'nuclear', 'renewable' or 'both'

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'

• Brussels: did you know that 20% of EU workers work at night?
• Brussels crisis: be creative, become an entrepeneur
• Brussels: a city of life-long interns
• Languages: Dutch amidst French in bilingual Brussels

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'

• Seville: Cuba, communists and anticapitalists for the elections!
• ‘Vovis' versus ‘gorrillas’: tackling precarity in Seville
• Migrants keep coming to Seville, Spain and the rest of Europe

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'

• Czech Republic: EU equals protectionism equals communism?
• Blue Card, Green Card: Czech Republic shows its true colours
• Prague: Barack Obama and the giant sleeping radar missile bid

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

• Luiza Sosna, the Polish woman who will integrate you in Luxembourg
• Can immigrants in Luxembourg vote at the 7 June elections?