Spot The Future Ethnography: Preliminary Results

Inga PopovaiteSTF ethnographer (CEU)

Structure

Methodology People Challenges Real action Common beliefs

Methodology

Qualitative analysis of the STF platform On-line coding, off-line analysis with RQDA Supplemented by focus group discussion

(based on preliminary findings) 161 original posts (June 10th) 782 original comments Administrative posts/comments excluded

People

Young, socially active and community-oriented Different backgrounds, different skills and work

spheres; Hungry for real-life changes; Not afraid to take the leading role

Challenges

Macro level

Natural environment (climate, landslides,

littering, environmental issues, energy issues); Socio-economical environment (medical

services, public education, illiteracy, public infrastructure, public transportation, poor sanitation, poverty, migration, unemployment, lack of trust lack of publicity and transparency,corruption,human rights)

“He found out that his kids spend a lot of time in school <...> everyday and they come back exhausted with no energy or time to even study, do their homework and play and they became accustomed to have the easy answer for the questions and not to search for the answers themselves because obviously they have not time or energy to do so, this besides the fact that every day in school he is a sitting passively listening to teachers and the curriculum itself has lots of problems”

Mezo level

Bureaucracy; Vertical hierarchy; Relations with governmental institutions; Competitiveness and a lack of collaboration in

the NGO world; Top-bottom approach; Traditional solutions; Lack of trust and support; Legislation; Funding; Legal assistance; Implementation of policy changes

“What Jumpstart faces in Georgia, is not dissimilar to other countries: there are challenges with building activism, lack of creativity in trying to solve issues, lack of trust in using technology over traditional methods, many organizations are set in their ways. Donor support is often lacking in grassroots, experimental initiatives, which go unnoticed or ignored in favor of 'tried and true' establishments. This creates an environment where it is difficult for large established actors to innovate or experiment, and also keeps creative approaches from reaching their potential through a lack of funding.”

Micro level

Lack of team cooperation spirit in the society; Lack of motivation: feeling that one can not

change anything, no decisions on policy level, skepticism, passiveness, lack of support for creative and innovative approaches;

Financial insecurities (for freelancers);

“<...> basically the challenge was 'things in ourselves we don't like and want to change' - and the common thing that came up was a lack of engagement in activities, indifference and everything being predictable so a belief that your actions won't be effective”

Real Action

Armenia

14 initiatives/projects (overlapping);

Care about environment, both nature and urban, and try to be self-sustainable and eco-friendly;

Alternative economy models;

Concerned about education and aim to gain various skills;

Strive for a more inclusive and more empowered society;

Keywords: environment, alternative economy,

inclusiveness, empowerment.

Egypt

27 initiatives/organizations/projects (overlapping)

Eco-friendly initiatives stand out;

Gender issues;

Education;

Community development;

Solidarity;

Capacity building;

Improving media;

Keywords: eco-friendly, urban planning, gender issues, education, development, solidarity and media improvement

Georgia

30 initiatives/projects/organizations (overlapping);

Art;

Innovative IT approaches;

Urban planning;

Urban/Environmental activism;

Gender issues;

Charity;

Media;

Cyclists' and pedestrian rights;

Keywords: IT, urban planning, environmental, gender issues, safety (in the road/on the sidewalk), solidarity, media.

Common beliefs

Bottom-up; Changes delivered locally and on a small-

scale first; Cooperation; Although there are strong leaders, the main

value is placed on a team work; DIY, arts-and-crafts, simple engineering,

sustainable living initiatives; Newest technologies and open-source data

(mapping).