Participatory Performing Art
This project is designed to empower youth workers and leaders from marginalized communities by equipping them with skills in non-formal education, theater pedagogy, and participatory arts. The primary focus is on using the arts to explore and amplify the identity narratives of marginalized groups, creating inclusive spaces for co-creation and dialogue. By integrating participatory arts into the work of partner organizations, the project aims to foster collaboration between diverse communities and to build a bridge between theater pedagogy and non-formal education practices.
The project involves a series of modular training sessions that span across two training courses, one youth exchange, and a co-creation mobility program. Through these activities, participants will develop competencies in participatory arts and non-formal education methods. The project will also launch six pilot programs in various partner countries, where youth and migrants will co-create theater performances that express their experiences and stories. These performances will highlight the transformative potential of the arts in fostering social change, inclusivity, and community engagement.
A key outcome of the project is the creation of a specialized pedagogical toolkit that combines theater techniques with non-formal educational methods. This toolkit will be tested, refined, and widely shared among youth workers and partner organizations to support ongoing learning and development. To further engage the community, collaborative workshops will be held to tailor the integration of performance arts into partner frameworks, ensuring that the methods are relevant and impactful for the specific communities served.
The project culminates in local theater performances, with six co-created productions developed in partnership with marginalized groups. These performances will provide a platform for youth and migrants to share their stories, fostering empathy and understanding within their communities. The project will also include interviews and online forums with local actors, NGOs, facilitators, and youth workers, exploring the challenges, methodologies, and successes of participatory arts in various contexts.
Partners from Germany, Lithuania, Slovenia, Ireland, and Spain collaborate on the project, with each partner contributing their expertise and local networks. The final phase of the project will feature an international youth exchange in Ceuta, Spain, where participants will engage in a theater performance and cultural exchange, deepening their understanding of the arts' role in advocacy and community building. Through these diverse activities, the project seeks to empower 30 youth workers, foster local and international collaborations, and inspire social change through the transformative power of the arts.
Exploring Participatory Performative Spaces – Training in Bremen
From 24.2. till 3.3. 2025, 30 participants from six organizations came together in Bremen for the first phase of an inspiring training course on participatory performative spaces. Over the course of a week, they explored three of the six key competences needed to create inclusive and engaging artistic environments.
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The training was a journey of self-discovery, where participants tapped into their creativity, refined their artistic skills, and uncovered new talents, but most importantly, they focused on fostering inclusive and accessible spaces—ensuring that artistic expression is open to all, especially those from vulnerable communities. A highlight of the week was a collaborative public performance, created in partnership with another group and presented in the heart of Bremen on Tuesday afternoon. This experience brought their learnings to life, demonstrating the power of performative arts in community engagement.
As they look ahead to the second phase of the training in Lithuania this October, participants will continue their journey by applying newly acquired methods in their local contexts. Through local performances and community collaborations, they will further explore how participatory performative spaces can drive social inclusion.
We are excited to see how these artistic explorations unfold and look forward to reconnecting in autumn for the next stage of the project!
