what we do

Our work is to inspire a deep and positive conversation about Europe, helping a new generation connect to current policy makers – and to influence emerging ones.

We hold Forums around Europe strengthening the understanding between political, cultural and business opinion formers. As we connect communities three topics frame our discussions: Culture and Citizenship, Cities for Europe and Culture in an Interdependent World.

We question political assumptions, interrogate decision makers, challenge myopic thinkers. Most of all we argue for closer connections, fresh ideas and compassionate solutions.

what we do

We want to inspire policy makers with citizen-led ideas at local, regional, national and European level.
We connect communities, focusing on three topics : Cutlrue and Citizenship, Cities for Europe and Culture in a Global World.

“A Soul for Europe” Conference

Consequences for Europe – drawn by civil society actors and politicians

The “A Soul for Europe” initiative started in 2004 with the first Berlin Conference. The A Soul for Europe Conference 2019 will take place on 12-13 April 2019.

It brings together individuals from the cultural sector, politicians and representatives of the media, the business world and other areas of society. The “A Soul for Europe” Conference is a civil society platform to define and initiate specific, common steps to strengthen the cultural component of European development.

The Berlin Conference served as the model for the Forum X conferences organised by local NGOs in Belgrade, Pécs, Lyon, Skopje, Sofia, Cluj, Guimarães, Prague, Priština, Istanbul and other cities.

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“A Soul for Europe” Conference

Consequences for Europe – drawn by civil society actors and politicians

The “A Soul for Europe” initiative started in 2004 with the first Berlin Conference. The A Soul for Europe Conference 2019 will take place on 12-13 April 2019.

It brings together individuals from the cultural sector, politicians and representatives of the media, the business world and other areas of society. The “A Soul for Europe” Conference is a civil society platform to define and initiate specific, common steps to strengthen the cultural component of European development.

The Berlin Conference served as the model for the Forum X conferences organised by local NGOs in Belgrade, Pécs, Lyon, Skopje, Sofia, Cluj, Guimarães, Prague, Priština, Istanbul and other cities.

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Cities for Europe

The “A Soul for Europe” initiative follows three strands of activities under the heading of “Cities for Europe”:

Civic Involvement in European Capitals of Culture

The European Capitals of Culture programme stands for the recognition of the responsibility of cities and regions for the development of Europe.

Cities for Europe Network

Europe’s cultural achievements, activities and institutions are to be found in its cities and regions. This means that the cities and regions share a direct responsibility for Europe, above and beyond their local and regional competences.

Mobilizing Culture for Structural Development

The “A Soul for Europe” Initiative liaises between those bearing political responsibility at national and European level and cultural networks in Europe in order to utilize their European added value for strategies to improve structural development and regional policy.

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Cities for Europe

The “A Soul for Europe” initiative follows three strands of activities under the heading of “Cities for Europe”:

Civic Involvement in European Capitals of Culture

The European Capitals of Culture program stands for the recognition of the responsibility of cities and regions for the development of Europe.

READ MORE

Cities for Europe Network

Europe’s cultural achievements, activities and institutions are to be found in its cities and regions. This means that the cities and regions share a direct responsibility for Europe, above and beyond their local and regional competences.

READ MORE

Mobilizing Culture for Structural Development

The “A Soul for Europe” Initiative liaises between those bearing political responsibility at national and European level and cultural networks in Europe in order to utilize their European added value for strategies to improve structural development and regional policy.

READ MORE

Forum X

New ways for co-operation between civil society and policy-makers

Forum X is a series of meetings, workshops and conferences held in various cities across the European continent. Forum X events are organised by local civil society actors in close co-operation with the “A Soul for Europe” Initiative. The main aim of the project is to develop new forms of collaboration between civil society and political decision-makers by concretely involving local actors (civil society, political spheres, business and others) into the “A Soul for Europe” process and engaging them in concrete co-operation.

Forum X aims at implementing the cultural component of social, economic and other non-cultural development policies across Europe. The responsibility for the cultural dimension of European policy is not confined to the cultural field. Culture must play a vital role in shaping the overall development of the European vision. The active participation of top-ranking politicians responsible for fields not directly related to culture is a guarantee for this. The inclusion of important European policy makers and international business representatives gives more weight to the work of the civil society operating at local and regional levels and strengthens its position regarding regional and local authorities.

For example, Forum Belgrade resulted in its local initiators being invited by the authorities to provide consultancy on the drafting of the new Serbian law on financing culture. Furthermore, it facilitated the creation of the GRAD, an independent centre for culture and debate, opened in April 2009 in Belgrade.

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Forum X

New ways for co-operation between civil society and policy-makers

Forum X is a series of meetings, workshops and conferences held in various cities across the European continent. Forum X events are organised by local civil society actors in close co-operation with the “A Soul for Europe” Initiative. The main aim of the project is to develop new forms of collaboration between civil society and political decision-makers by concretely involving local actors (civil society, political spheres, business and others) into the “A Soul for Europe” process and engaging them in concrete co-operation.

Forum X aims at implementing the cultural component of social, economic and other non-cultural development policies across Europe. The responsibility for the cultural dimension of European policy is not confined to the cultural field. Culture must play a vital role in shaping the overall development of the European vision. The active participation of top-ranking politicians responsible for fields not directly related to culture is a guarantee for this. The inclusion of important European policy makers and international business representatives gives more weight to the work of the civil society operating at local and regional levels and strengthens its position regarding regional and local authorities.

For example, Forum Belgrade resulted in its local initiators being invited by the authorities to provide consultancy on the drafting of the new Serbian law on financing culture. Furthermore, it facilitated the creation of the GRAD, an independent centre for culture and debate, opened in April 2009 in Belgrade.

READ MORE

Cultural Coalition

A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe was a civil society project initiated in 2012 that aimed to strengthen participation of citizens from all sectors of society in building a better Europe. We involved citizens, including politicians, artists, intellectuals, and civil society leaders, in shaping the future Europe. We aimed to trigger thinking, to raise visibility, and to propose actions about culture’s contribution to a citizens’ Europe. In a true multi-directional process of engagement we aimed to empower citizens in the EU integration process. The initiative was supported by the EU programme “Citizens for Europe”.

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Cultural Coalition

A Cultural Coalition for a Citizens’ Europe was a civil society project initiated in 2012 that aimed to strengthen participation of citizens from all sectors of society in building a better Europe. We involved citizens, including politicians, artists, intellectuals, and civil society leaders, in shaping the future Europe. We aimed to trigger thinking, to raise visibility, and to propose actions about culture’s contribution to a citizens’ Europe. In a true multi-directional process of engagement we aimed to empower citizens in the EU integration process. The initiative was supported by the EU programme “Citizens for Europe”.

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Conversations on Europe

Conversations on Europe was a multimedia project that gathered innovative, creative, and imaginative visions of our future from all sectors of society and ran till 2014. We were collecting personal stories from citizens to present and discuss in our European public space. The visions were gathered online and in print.

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Conversations on Europe

Conversations on Europe is a multimedia project that gathers innovative, creative, and imaginative visions of our future from all sectors of society. We are collecting personal stories from citizens to present and discuss in our European public space. The visions will be gathered online and in print. It will be a place where you can get inspired and share your own story!

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