Shades Tours EU
SHADES TOURS offers moving city tours in Vienna, led by individuals affected by social issues such as poverty and homelessness. The social enterprise promotes integration, awareness-raising, and empathy while providing authentic perspectives on the challenges of the city.
Shades Tours: A Different Perspective on Vienna
editSHADES TOURS is a social enterprise in Vienna that specializes in organizing moving and enlightening city tours that address socially polarizing topics such as poverty and homelessness, flight and integration, as well as drugs and addiction.
Key Products and Services
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Tours by Affected Individuals: The tours are led by individuals who are themselves affected by the topics addressed, such as formerly homeless people or individuals with experiences in the areas of flight and addiction. These tours provide a unique and authentic perspective on the social challenges of Vienna[3][4][5].
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Educational Programs: In addition to city tours, Shades Tours also offers educational programs for schools to raise awareness of these social issues among children and adolescents. These programs include visits to soup kitchens, training by social workers, and visits to emergency shelters[4].
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Group Activities: The company also offers special activities for groups aimed at educating and raising awareness among teams and communities about the social realities of Vienna[5].
Mission and Values
editThe main mission of Shades Tours is to change the perception of homeless and other marginalized groups and to show how valuable and competent these individuals are. The founder, Perrine Schober, aims to reduce the stigmatization of these groups and promote better understanding and more empathy in society[4].
Sustainability Goals and Initiatives
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Integration into the Labor Market: A central goal of Shades Tours is to facilitate the entry of homeless individuals into the labor market. In Austria, it is often difficult for people without a permanent address to find official employment. Through work at Shades Tours, these individuals can be reintegrated into the labor market and improve their living situation[4].
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Awareness Raising: By organizing tours and educational programs, the company aims to raise public awareness of social issues and promote greater solidarity and understanding. So far, over 1400 participants have taken part in these activities, and three individuals have been able to overcome their homeless situation thanks to Shades Tours[4].
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Social Responsibility: Shades Tours emphasizes that their activities have nothing to do with social voyeurism, but rather aim to create a genuine connection between participants and guides. This is intended to contribute to a deeper understanding and positive change in society[5].
SHADES TOURS thus not only offers an alternative and enlightening way to discover Vienna but also actively contributes to social integration and awareness raising, making it a unique and valuable part of the Viennese community.
Sources:
edit- 1 - https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g190454-d11504241-Reviews-SHADES_TOURS_Vienna-Vienna.html
- 2 - https://vienna.impacthub.net/venture/shades-tours/
- 3 - https://shades-tours.com/en/home/
- 4 - https://mladiinfo.eu/2017/01/25/shades-tours-tours-of-hope/
- 5 - https://shades-tours.com/en/shades-tours/