The project aims to strengthen the notions of diversity and collaboration in Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI) by encouraging young people to develop their creative (arts or cultural) ideas into possibilities for work, inclusion and/or self-fulfillment. The CCIs are a relevant industry in Europe, and its growth rate is greater than most other industries. The growing diversity that is currently available in Europe is a very rich resource, which if well-structured, organized and guided can make the CCIs an even more important path for economic growth, job creation, innovation and inclusion for young people from all backgrounds. Collaborative Open Spaces (COS) can greatly contribute to this path. A diverse workforce means broader knowledge and varied ideas, which can be translated into increased creativity and problem-solving skills’. The growing diversity that characterises Europe today is a very rich resource, which if well-structured, organized and guided can make the CCIs an even more important path for economic growth, job creation, innovation and inclusion. Within this context, the importance of Collaborative Open Spaces (COS) as catalyzers for integrating more young people with socio-economic under-privileged status is of high importance. COSs are one of the most inclusive and open spaces for young people with creative ideas from all over the globe. The impact on the partner organisations will be a deeper understanding of their target group(s), higher capacity in reaching and communicating with their target groups(s), and access to more knowledge and experience through the resources which will be provided during the project. The impact on the participants will be empowerment, through giving them tools to manage a project, the ability to critically analyze their situation as well as managing solutions and spreading their image of being of an add-value and contributors in Europe instead of being told what that means for the society. Another important aspect is to connect young people/creative makers across national boundaries through the learning activities and project work. This will create a sense of ownership, recognition of similar backgrounds and the issues they are facing, as well as the opportunity to discuss solutions with others in a similar situation. Above this, the participants also get to spread their creative project ideas and solutions to other young people with diverse backgrounds, whom can recognize themselves in the contexts that are presented via the creative initiatives which will be developed by the project's participants. The project's long term vision is: • Benchmarking tools for diversity via collaborative open spaces in order to enhance the creative and integration within CCIs • Strategic partnerships and exchange of Good-Practices between organisations and stakeholders from partner countries. • Improved interaction between facilitators, industry and policy makers and awareness of the urgency to secure the diversification of open collaborative working spaces within the creative industries on a long-term basis.
he purpose of the Agora project has been to strengthen the capacity of the participating organizations to support young people's ability to create projects in the artistic and cultural fields. With a special focus on young people who do not have traditional input into the industries. By finding and developing with the participants in the project the best tools and methods for realizing the participants' ideas. The results we expected were partly the participants' opportunities to create good, sustainable and innovative projects with high artistic heights and conditions to develop and contribute to both livelihood and self-realization, and partly that our respective organizations should be better equipped to meet these challenges in our everyday lives. work but young creators. The artistic and creative industries are highly relevant and with rapid growth and high profitability and we believe that the capacity we build up during the project can be spread and make positive and real impressions. The main actors in the project have been the five organizations (from four countries) and the total of 17 participant projects. But we have always collaborated with artists, activists, organizations and companies in our respective countries. Collaborated on parts of the project and invited larger groups of young people to participate in the parts of the training where possible and relevant. Throughout the project, participants have been supported by mentors who guided them forward. As the project matured, the participants increasingly began to guide and teach each other based on their special skills and experiences. All participants have met on four occasions - one in each of the participating countries - where they have participated in an intensive program of workshops, study visits and individual coaching. The various meetings have been designed so that the host organization is given the opportunity to share their special skills. Large parts of the programs have been planned by the participants and all parts have been planned in close dialogue with them. Through the project, the various organizations have built new skills in supporting creative projects, but also deepened dialogue with local partners, decision-makers and financiers, and created strong relationships between the participating organizations that will continue to bear fruit.