Soko (სოკო)

By 2050, up to 70% of people will be living in urban areas.¹

This and similar statements have become buzzwords in the discourse on urbanism. While the numbers may vary, the trend towards urbanisation is irreversible. Sadly, a significant number of urban settlements fall well short of the ideals that inhabitants hope for – issues such as vehicle congestion, lack of green spaces, and soaring housing costs run rampant. The list of urban challenges is extensive. At times, this even sparks a counter trend of deurbanisation – a glorification of settling remotely, cultivating gardens, and living off the grid, far away from the noise and pollution of the city.

What has happened to the city’s promise of a sense of community, cultural diversity, simple daily interactions, and a thriving urban culture? These elements of city life are often overshadowed by the challenges urban dwellers face. The hope for a city that makes you want to walk through its streets, where you meet people you know by accident, where your favourite fresh bread is baked, where you have your spot in a park, and where you feel at home in the busy hustle and bustle is disappearing.

It’s important to remember that we already know how to transform cities into livable spaces: environmental sustainability, streets that cater to pedestrians and cyclists, efficient public transport, affordable and community-oriented housing, ethically mindful technology, and inclusivity are all issues we have already learned how to tackle.

Soko – which means mushroom in Kartuli – is group of activists who were lucky enough to work together on international projects during their years doing youth work. After leaving youth activism, and after undergoing diverse individual experiences, we decided in the summer of 2023 to establish our own NGO and work on our core interest: Alternative Urbanisation.

With this organisation, we aim to bring the topic of Alternative Urbanisation to wider audiences and decision-makers. We do this through our non-formal educational program, documentaries, research, innovative projects, direct support of urban initiatives, working with the policymakers, creating publications, and much more.

We work with progressive civil society movements, organisations, think tanks, foundations, municipalities, politicians and political parties, NGOs, academic institutions and universities that work on urbanism or have an interest in it.

We want people to know about Alternative Urbanisation. Alternative Urbanisation is about being eco-friendly, caring for people, helping local economies, ensuring homes, health, clean water and air, and making residents feel safe and happy.

We hope to sow the spores of this knowledge so that it can spread and grow like a mushroom.

You can reach us at info@sokofoundation.org.