Today, xenophobic attacks and rhetoric is still on the rise across Europe (Human Rights Watch Report, 2018) even as estimated 705.000 third country nationals applied for asylum in European countries in 2017 (Euro Stats). A new phenomenon is emerging in the Balkan states: as of 2018, the Balkan countries are experiencing a new influx of refugees from Africa and the Middle East (https://www.dw.com/en/refugees-on-new-balkan-route-stuck-in-limbo/a-44509373) and a corresponding increase in asylum applications (UNHCR Serbia, IOM Slovenia, UNHCR BiH MIRA Report, mhc.org.mk Macedonia). Thus, while xenophobia is still rising across Europe, there is also increasing ethnic diversity. If remained unchecked, this paradox may lead to a dangerous divide between ethnic Europeans and refugees. It is therefore important to build better understanding, tolerance and solidarity between refugees and the European public to prevent radicalization and the creation of ‘’otherness’’ on both sides. Focus therefore should be on social inclusion IMPACT – “Inclusion Matters! using Performing Arts towards Cohesion and Tolerance” main goal is to foster social inclusion by developing art strategies, techniques and methodologies targeted to refugees and citizens at local levels. In order to reach the goal, IMPACT will: 1) Co-design a new methodology that uses arts (drama, dance, music, circus, video production etc.) to foster social inclusion of refugees; 2) Engage 14 artists (2 per partner, except ALDA) in an intensive training about how to implement the mentioned developed methodologies, so that they will then become multipliers of these strategies within their communities. 3) Form multidisciplinary groups of experts who will develop the IMPACT Guidelines, the videos and the surveys; 4) Implement 21 local workshops in total, targeted to refugees and citizens at project partners local levels; Focus on participatory approaches: self-directed strategies to involve refugees and local citizens; Combine the concept of asylum seekers welcoming with social inclusion, amusement by using performing arts; Strengthen active participation in society of all target groups; 5) Implement 7 final performances (1 per partner, except ALDA) in front of larger audiences and 1 international event in Vejle/Denmark. 6) Promote cohesion, dialogue and mutual understanding between refugees and citizens; 7) Foster transnational cooperation of municipalities, CSOs, refugee camps and artists to combat prejudices, stereotypes and marginalization of groups or social exclusion; 8) Disseminate the outputs and results of the project. IMPACT project will contribute to foster social inclusion by promoting active participation, cohesion, tolerance and the respect of human rights. Within this project, by training 20 artists who will develop new tools and methodologies on performing arts to work with refugees and citizens, at least 420 other youth, local, regional and international stakeholders will become multipliers of this project outputs, ideas and methodology. This will ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.
The project, IMPACT, aimed to combat harmful stereotypes and rising intolerance among Europeans, especially regarding the current refugee and migrant situation in Europe today. Following the refugee crisis in 2015, a new phenomenon emerged in the Balkan states: In 2018, the Balkan countries experienced a new influx of refugees from Africa and the Middle East (https://www.dw.com/en/refugees-on-new-balkan-route-stuck-in-limbo/a-44509373) that resulted in a corresponding increase in asylum applications (UNHCR Serbia, IOM Slovenia, UNHCR BiH MIRA Report, mhc.org.mk Macedonia). In spite of efforts of various sectors -- including the EU -- to promote diversity and inclusion among all peoples, xenophobia is still on the rise. The results of the European elections in 2019 illustrate this: While one of the most popular EU elections in 20 years, the political groups who gained popularity (i.e., the Greens and ID Europa, which are known to be nationalists, rightwing populists, and Eurosceptic ) reveal a telling story about the attitudes of the EU citizens and what they consider important in their political lives. And while xenophobia is still rising across Europe, ethnic diversity is on the rise. If remained unchecked, this paradox may lead to a dangerous divide between ethnic Europeans and refugees and migrants. It is therefore important to build better understanding, tolerance, and solidarity between refugees and migrants, and European citizens to prevent radicalization and the creation of ‘’otherness’’ on both sides. Focus therefore should be on social inclusion. The project, IMPACT endeavoured to contribute to lessening the intolerance and xenophobic attitudes in Europe, and promote social inclusion among refugees and migrants. The project objectives were to: - Develop a methodology that uses the arts (drama, dance, music, circus, video production, etc.) to foster social inclusion of refugees and migrants as well as the local citizens (IO2); - Create an “IMPACT Guidelines” for teaching such workshops (IO3); - Conduct an intensive training workshop among 14 artists and youth workers on how to conduct local workshops; - Conduct 21 local workshops*, targeted refugees and citizens; - Conduct 7 local final performances* - Conduct an online* International Dissemination hosted by Denmark; - Produce a video on the workshops conducted (IO4); and - Conduct an evaluation of the methodology (IO1); The development of the IMPACT methodology was led by La Piccionaia, a community theater, and NGO, with inputs from all partners. The consortium sought to make this a dynamic and ongoing process, in order to be flexible for adaptation in the local contexts. After the methodology was developed, each partner (with the exception of ALDA, the leader for dissemination) conducted the local workshops. An online* international conference was conducted which featured a thorough walkthrough of the methodology used, why there is a need for social inclusion, and how art can help this process. Moreover, the conference featured a speaker from each of the partners, talking about the local workshops in their home country. It also featured a screening of the IMPACT video, a short summary of the results of the project evaluation. The conference was attended by relevant stakeholders, such as youth workers, people who work with migrants, and representatives of municipalities. The video and the IMPACT Guideline are uploaded to each of the individual partners' websites A total of 19 artists/migrant workers were trained in facilitating the local workshops; 37 local workshops were conducted which were participated in by 458 migrants/refugees and local citizens, and 1.388 attended the multiplier events. In addition, approximately 66.200 citizens were reached via the local press and social media posts. The project IMPACT managed to create an engaging, innovative, and replicable methodology that is ideal for social inclusion. The implementation of the project further brought some concrete value to the participants involved. __________ *Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, some local workshops were held online. Likewise, the Final Conference, intended to be a face-to-face meeting was also held online.