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 de-urbanisation – 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, and where you feel at home 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, ethical and society-oriented technology, and inclusion are all issues we have already learned how to tackle.

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

With this organisation, we aim to bring the topic of community-oriented and ecological urbanisation to wider audiences and decision-makers. We do this by working with youth adult groups, non-formal education, 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, youth 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.