About the Film

Economic crisis, civil society, and grassroots response in Athens, Greece. In 2009, Greece suffered a massive financial crisis. Across the country, countless citizens lost their jobs, their homes, and in some cases, their hope. As the crisis dragged on, something remarkable happened: community organizations in Athens began to step in and fill the gaps in services that the government could no longer afford. From laundry for the homeless, to drug recovery programs, to new employment opportunities, this documentary tracks NGOs in Athens that organized to help their neighbors survive, ultimately teaching the government a few lessons along the way. This film is a collaboration between Bertelsmann Foundation Documentaries and the German Marshall Fund of the United States.