Racial discrimination and afrophobia remain some of the most deeply rooted social challenges in Europe today. Afro-descendant communities—especially Black women—continue to face conditions of marginalization that limit their access to the same social, cultural, and economic opportunities available to other European citizens.
These challenges become even more complex when we consider the multiple, intersecting forms of discrimination Black women encounter every day: gender stereotypes, cultural barriers, economic inequalities, and limited representation in both media and institutions. SONDER was created precisely to respond to these issues.
SONDER aims to foster inclusion, equality, and greater social awareness through storytelling, shared experiences, and the active participation of Afro-European communities. At the heart of the project are the stories and voices of Afro-descendant people, with particular attention to the experiences of Black women—voices that are still too often overlooked in educational, political, and media spaces.
The project has a dual ambition: on one hand, to meaningfully address structural racism by creating safe spaces where Afro-descendant individuals can share their stories and be heard; on the other, to support broader social change by raising awareness among institutions and communities about the richness of diverse identities and the importance of recognizing them.
Although SONDER has only recently begun, it has already had a crucial milestone: the kick-off meeting held recently. This gathering offered a valuable opportunity to bring together partners, experts, and representatives of Afro-European communities. Throughout the meeting, participants discussed shared objectives, tools to be developed, and narrative approaches that can strengthen the representation of Afro-descendant people across Europe. It was also a deeply human moment of exchange, where stories, reflections, and perspectives emerged—elements that will guide the project’s next steps.
If you’re interested in following SONDER’s journey over the coming years, stay tuned.
About SONDER
SONDER – Each life is as vivid and complex as any other is a project co-funded by the European Union through CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM.
Partners
- ΕΛΛΗΝΟ – ΚΕΝΥΑΤΙΚΟ ΕΠΙΜΕΛΗΤΗΡΙΟ (Greece, coordinator)
- ComMedi (Greece)
- CESIE ETS (Italy)
- A.B. INSTITUTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT LTD (Cyprus)
- ENWAD (Spain)
For further information
Read more on the project fact sheet.
Contact Mohamed Bashir Omar, mohamed.bashiromar@cesie.org.
