Defend Kurdistan Graz is an alliance of internationalists that has also existed in Graz since 2024 and defends Kurdistan and the revolution in Rojava. It is organised to think about the ideas of the Kurdish freedom movement in its context and to be active together. Because social ecology is an important cornerstone of its policy, they are currently also supporting the „Solardarity“ campaign and want to make a contribution in the spirit of international solidarity.

The Rojava Autonomous Region in northern and eastern Syria has been in existence for 12 years and is seen as a glimmer of hope for the democratic development of the country. Since its foundation, Rojava has had to defend itself against numerous threats. In addition to the clashes with the Assad regime, the wars with Turkey and the Islamic State are the main ones.

The autonomy project is now facing existential challenges. The energy supply is threatened with collapse. Turkish air strikes have largely destroyed the power stations and substations in the region. Electricity is in short supply and is mostly generated by dirty diesel generators. The civilian population suffers daily from a lack of electricity and water, and agriculture - in a region already hardest hit by climate change - is also severely affected.

The installation of decentralised solar panels could help to supply municipal facilities, hospitals, schools and women's shelters with electricity. The Solardarity campaign is therefore raising 1 million euros for solar panels to supply public facilities in North and East Syria with sustainable electricity. This could contribute to the further development of a democratic, gender-equitable and ecological alternative in the Middle East.

__
Almost every month, we host a different initiative, group or collective for our format Forum Küche. On these events, you can enjoy a vegetarian or vegan meal together and chat informally. You can enjoy the food for a voluntary donation - the evening's proceeds then go to the initiative in question.

This format has been taking place in various forms for more than ten years at Forum Stadtpark. After a break due to the covid-19 pandemic, the Forum Küche was re-established in 2022. It almost always takes place on the last Wednesday of the month at 18:00.