Our Common City

The Association of Alternative Communities and Amnesty International Hungary organised a festival in Debrecen titled “Közös Város” (Common City). The event aimed to showcase the invaluable work of local civil society, allowing residents to learn about their causes and activities, and to offer their support—recognising that social acknowledgement and closer ties with the local community serve as a vital sustaining force for CSOs.

The Civil Festival provided an excellent platform for participating organisations to introduce themselves to the citizens of Debrecen; furthermore, the very process of organising the event was a community-building exercise in its own right.

Following the festival, a series of smaller-scale meetings were held. These sessions focused on providing development opportunities for those activists and organisations who remained engaged in the wake of the event.

The concept of the Alternative Awards Ceremony was developed as a separate initiative, yet it reinforced the same core mission: celebrating civil courage. Awards were presented in both individual and organisational categories. With seven individual and six organisational nominees, the event successfully amplified the visibility and impact of everyone involved.