Creativity as a lifeline in the AZC - Royal Talens
Creativity as a lifeline in the AZC - Royal Talens

Creativity as a lifeline in the AZC

Sawa Collective offered young refugees a year of creative workshops that brought moments of expression, hope, and connection within the AZC.

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In 2025, Sawa Collective organized a year-long creative program for young adults residing in a refugee camp in the Netherlands. Approximately twenty participants took part in a series of workshops designed to offer moments of expression, reflection, and connection during a challenging period in their lives.

Creative workshops and activities

Throughout the project, participants engaged in a range of artistic activities. They created banners, designed a peace flag for The Temple of Peace, crafted postcards of hope, and took part in a collage workshop reflecting on the experience of living “in limbo” within the asylum seeker center.

These activities provided a meaningful outlet for creativity and personal storytelling.

Use of Royal Talens materials

The project made efficient use of high‑quality Royal Talens materials. Sawa Collective worked with supplies that were still available from the previous year, ensuring that nothing went to waste while giving participants reliable tools to express themselves.

A memorable quote from one of the young participants captures the essence of the project: “You see the AZC as a dark painting, but SAWA is the pink color in that darkness.”

Partners and collaborators

The program was made possible through collaboration with several partners and artists, including Gallery W139, The Temple of Peace, BOOST, Imagine IC, and artists Nesma Monawer Alshutfa and Hend Charaf. Each contributed to creating a supportive environment where creativity could flourish despite the uncertainties participants face.

About Sawa Collective

Sawa Collective is a non-profit organization that organizes activities for refugees in the Netherlands aged 18–30, offering a space for community, self-expression, and personal growth.

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