Detailed description (English): The innovative "Outta Climate Festival," organized by the CIVINET Greece-Cyprus Network and co-funded by the Green Fund, successfully took place in Heraklion. It spotlighted the climate crisis, road safety, youth engagement, and cultural expression.
Over two dynamic days, the festival featured morning “asphalt art” interventions outside the 2nd Primary School of Heraklion (Bodossakeio), a public consultation presenting the results of micromobility hubs, and a vibrant music festival at the Cultural and Conference Center.
The “asphalt art” showcased a unique form of street art created directly on the pavement, aimed at attracting drivers’ attention, encouraging speed reduction, and promoting safer road conditions for pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals with limited mobility. Internationally renowned artist Soteur collaborated with students to create a stunning mural on 1878 Street, enhancing both the area's aesthetics and its safety.
On March 20, a public discussion was held to review the outcomes of the Micromobility Hubs funded by the European EIT UM Challenge My City program. The secure parking facilities for bicycles and scooters, installed in November, aimed to promote safe transportation options and gathered valuable feedback from the community.
The music festival, held on March 21, featured performances by the Heraklion Music School, Eye Harp, Free The Soprano Player, Bubble Wrap, and Three Blind Mice, curated by the Jazz Solidarity Network.
Target group(s): -Drivers
-Parents
-Pedestrians especially from vulnerable groups (children, elderly people, people with disabilities ect.)
-Citizens
-Municipalities and local decision makers
-City staff
Objectives: Using art as a tool towards Vision Zero.
Asphalt art: The purpose of this form of art is apart from enriching the street and the neighborhood with beautiful murals to attract the attention of drivers, make them slow down and thus ensure safer pedestrian crossing, including many children. Additionally it aims to raise awareness among local citizens, drivers and passengers regarding Road Safety. This summaries pretty much the purpose of asphalt art, a method brought by CIVINET Greece-Cyprus from the American continent to Greece, based on the experience and the technical guidelines of Bloomberg Philanthropies.
Music and Dance Scene: Bring artists to perform and advocate for the message of the festival empowering the sense of solidarity and connection between art, climate action stakeholders and citizens.
Replication: Allying with many forms of art, the Outta Climate Festival team sent its own message on Climate Crisis and Road Safety, with a promise to move soon to other cities, mountains and islands of Europe that share the same values.
Partner: Jazz Solidarity Network
Greece