History of HawkStars
The history of Hawk Stars - Association for Education, Innovation, and Social Development begins in 2015 with what can be considered its version 1.0, through EuroHawk - Falcons of Europe Youth Association, This Youth Association, exclusively formed by young people from Pinhel, where Hawk Stars also holds Its headquarters.
Eurohawk, Constituting the 1.0 Version of the Hawk Stars NGO, witnessed Its zenith between 2015 and 2017. During this phase, it organised various conferences, debates, and food donation for families and institutions in need in Pinhel. Additionally, It facilitated the Pparticipation of approximately 20 Portugueese Youths in various Erasmus+ Projects across other European Countries. A notworthy initiative during this period was the organisation of the Erasmus+ program titled 'Survival - Standing United in Rural Villages with Innovation and Values,' engaging 35 young individuals from seven European Countries. The pinnacle of Eurohawk's endeavors was marked by the Hawk Festival in 2017, a cultural milestone for the youth in the Guarda District, attracting as average of 1400 daily festival-goers and 500 permanent campers, featuring around 27 artists. Despite these accomplishments, Eurohawk officially dissolved at the end of 2018 due to a lack of activity, shifting circumstances, and the fullfillment of its 100% youth-oriented objective.
Although The Founders of Eurohawk, The 1.0 Version of the Hawk Stars NGO, were not directly involved in associative activities for several years, they remainted connected to various social initiatives in Pinhel and the Guarda Distrist. They also collaborated with several national organizations which shared the same objectives in the youth and European affairs.
On February 24, 2022, with the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict, the founders of Eurohawk (V1.0) reconnected. Leveaging their past experience with the Fnee - National Federation of European Studies, Eurohawk collaborated with NAPEEC - Associative Nucleus for European Studies in Coimbra, and AJFF - Youth Association of Figueira da Foz and together they organized the initiative 'Together for Ukraine - Let's Fill a Truck From Guarda with Humanitarian Aid.' FNEE collaborated with the Federation of Firefighters of the Guarda District, without which the following results would not have been possible: 'The humanitarian action event involved (...) about 90 people, including organizers, partners, volunteers, and friends who collaborated until the final goal was achieved. 18 public and/or private institutions. 23 fire brigades. 7 international institutions. 5 trucks. 6 drivers. 30,342 km traveled. €24,500 - estimated value of the operation, via contributors and requested carriers. About 90 tons of material was delivered to Ukraine. Thousands of humanitarian contributions throughout the district!'
90pessoas
entre responsáveis pela organização, parceiros, voluntários e amigos que colaboraram até o objetivo final estar cumprido
18instituições
públicas e/ou privadas
23corporações
de bombeiros
7instituições
internacionais
5caminhões
6motoristas
24.500€
valor estimado da operação
30.342km
percorridos
90 toneladas
de material entregues na Ucrânia
Milhares
de contribuições humanitárias em todo o Distrito
Inspired by the success of this solidarity activity for Ukraine in April 2022, the same group of friends from the Pinhel, prominently connected to the foundation and activities of EuroHawk (V1.0) and the National Federation of European Studies, decided to establish Hawk Stars - Association (NGO) for Education, Innovation, and Social Development. This was officially confirmed on August 8, 2023.
Hawk Stars presents itself to the public as a long-term project (30 years) and is currently in the process of capacity building and recognition as a public utility institution. It plans to launch its first major short/medium-term project (3/7 years) to the public in January 2024, involving the construction of the International Training Center of Pinhel Global Village. The goal is to develop a hub for social innovation. Hawk Stars, with a young identity, presents itself in Blue and Yellow, the colors of the City in which we are based and the colors of the European Union, embracing the world with our Falcon - The Hawk, from the global to the local. Glocal - Think Global - Act Local.