On 25.04.2026, E-Baraka organized a Cultures2Connect at Café Caspar in Vienna. The event aimed to introduce E-Baraka’s vision to participants and present the Afro Center Initiative.
The event opened with a presentation by E-Baraka’s Founder and Head of Programs, Esther Madi, on Understanding Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on agriculture and waste management. This was followed by Cultural Program Coordinator, Katarina Stankovic, who explained the mission behind the Afro Center and the importance of establishing a permanent space for inclusion, community-building, networking, and other important goals. Afterward, participants were invited to introduce themselves and share at least two themes they consider important for the Afro Center.
The event welcomed 29 participants from various African countries, including Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Morocco, Nigeria, Somalia, and South Africa, as well as European from Austria, France, Italy, and the Netherlands, and Asian guests from Kazakhstan and Vietnam.
The round table discussion was vibrant and impactful. Bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, diplomats, NGO representatives, academics, cultural sector professionals, and business owners, who all shared the same goal of bringing communities closer together, made the event highly successful. Participants exchanged ideas and shared insights on their needs and services essential for establishing the Afro Center.
Based on the event, several priorities were identified that will serve as key drivers for the program design:
- A knowledge hub – a place that provides access to mental health and well-being information, mentorship, professional development opportunities, and support for media representation for the African Diaspora
- A platform for international cooperation with the African continent, fostering fair economic partnerships with Austria.
- A cultural space where African heritage, traditions, and history can be shared and celebrated.
At the heart of the event were the participants themselves. E-Baraka is proud to have heard every voice present and to have collected overwhelmingly positive feedback. The Afro Center aims to represent communities and act as a supportive space for addressing and overcoming shared challenges.
E-Baraka is determined to continue its missions: fostering sustainable development on the African continent and building a cultural, educational, and informative space in Austria focused on intercultural solutions.
“Nous avons besoin de partenaires et des solutions concrètes”
ARBA
“Nous avons besoin de partenaires et des solutions concrètes”
ARBA
“Unity and collaboration.”
Benta
“Unity and collaboration.”
Benta
“Bridge between Art and Culture -> Media -> Education.”
Lab'oratoire - Le Lab
“Bridge between Art and Culture -> Media -> Education.”
Lab'oratoire - Le Lab
“A central place for all Africans”
Cameroon Vice President of the Community
“A central place for all Africans”
Cameroon Vice President of the Community
“Network between Africans.”
Kengo
“Network between Africans.”
Kengo
“Involvement of nationals from Lusophone countries.”
Nurlan
“Involvement of nationals from Lusophone countries.”
Nurlan
“I feel that there is a need to have a space that we can use for meetings, events...”
Vienna's Afro Haircare Community
“I feel that there is a need to have a space that we can use for meetings, events...”
Vienna's Afro Haircare Community
“A government help and we ourself.
Cameroon Vice President of the Community
“A government help and we ourself.
Cameroon Vice President of the Community
“Concrete help to the people in need.”
Kengo
“Concrete help to the people in need.”
Kengo
“Place/Hub to be a link.”
Lab'oratoire - Le Lab
“Place/Hub to be a link.”
Lab'oratoire - Le Lab
