Raizes is a globally active NGO based in Palermo, Sicily, that promotes human rights through the arts. Raizes takes its name from the Portuguese word “roots,” a reminder of a shared European culture. It carries out transnational advocacy activities to support the fundamental rights of Mediterranean communities. It creates campaigns, trains young people, and internationally presents artworks created by people who have been victims of human rights deprivation. These presentations take place in iconic locations in Euro-Mediterranean cities, with a strong performative use of public space that gives the project a powerful communicative impact.

Raizes focuses on the rights of children, migrants, youth, LGBTQAI+ rights, gender equality, and climate justice.

Its extensive training activities for young people under 30 in the Euro-Mediterranean region follow the guidelines of the Council of Europe: it offers free, non-formal human rights education activities to more than 200 young people each year, such as the Theatre for Democracy project, aimed at disadvantaged youth and implemented in Sicily, Malta, and Spain.