Summary
C Via C focused on the role culture plays in creating inclusive growth and European identity in towns & emphasized the EU’s role in enhancing cultural activities locally (in line w/the European year of Cultural Heritage). The project promoted key EU values that preserve culture and that also bring citizens together (intercultural dialogue, volunteering, inclusive growth). It also addressed misconceptions relating to cultural activities (for example, culture is not thought of as a means for new jobs and growth, misperceptions that EU integration would erode local identities, etc.) and aims to engage youth in CSO actions. Many citizens in the partner regions view culture as important, but misunderstand how it drives employment & growth and lack formal cooperation with other citizens (& know-how) in promoting cultural assets (re: histories, traditional skills, textiles, ceramics, arts, etc.). This threatens efforts to preserve local identities & traditions. For the partners, culture represents new opportunities to connect citizens and regions, create conditions for inclusion and promote sustainable development. With this in mind, the project aimed to: 1) enhance citizen engagement in cultural activities in line with EU values (volunteering, intercultural dialogue, inclusive growth); 2) enhance cooperation between towns in their efforts to preserve/promote cultural heritage. The main results of the project include: 1) Increased capacities of participants to plan actions in line w/EU policies: As a result of the workshops (cooperation workshop, project workshop), presentations on EU programmes (Creative Europe) & projects, group work, interactions and discussions between participants, citizens learned about the role of the EU in cultural actions. Citizens gained new knowledge about EU priorities re: culture, learned about the initial steps that need to be taken to prepare a project proposal and about the challenges in managing cultural activities.2) New transnational projects: Cultural projects & guidelines for cultural branding were developed (via workshops). Participants shared project ideas & best practices. They discussed how their ideas could be organized for EU programmes (EfC, Creative Europe, etc.). The partnership remains in contact regarding new initiatives. 3) Increased citizen engagement in culture: CViaC emphasized the impact of cultural activities on identity, jobs & growth. Citizens learned about EU policy impacts and how volunteering in CSOs leads to development. This was done via group interactions & best practice presentations.The project included 241 citizens from HR, HU, Sl & RS, and reached 80.000 indirect participants (via social media, media coverage, web posts & e-materials). The key activities included pre-event workshops, meetings b/w partners & a 3-day event (presentations, performances & demonstrations, cultural quiz, 2 workshops w/group activities to enhance cooperation). Via group work, interactions, scenario-based learning and other activities, citizens interacted and found common ground on issues relating to the promotion and preservation of culture heritage. The partnership created guidelines for branding culture & actions promoting culture (as e-material). Pre-workshops & meetings b/w partners ensured citizen inputs were included & activities matched stakeholders' needs. The network agreement & guidelines document on branding build on the project since it details further actions/activities that will take place b/w partners regarding preserving/promoting culture. As a means to build on results and promote the project approach, a follow-up workshop was organized in Ptuj, SI on 22/05/2019 for high school students. Through this, workshop methods were verified; youth learned how to start cultural branding; and participants learned how culture plays a key role in EU integration.
