The main objectives of the CTFA project were to strengthen connections between the social circus, youth work, and social work sectors, while advancing the professional development of trainers working with marginalized youth. By bridging these fields, the project aimed to create a collaborative approach using circus to support youth, including refugees, youth with disabilities, and those facing social exclusion. A core objective was to enhance the CTF training program by integrating inclusive practices, such as gender-inclusive language and fostering safer spaces, ensuring the program remained responsive to evolving social challenges. Extensive research on CTF cycles 4 to 6 was planned to give evidence-based recommendations for improving the program, grounding updates in real-world impact and further professionalizing social circus as a tool in youth and social work. Additionally, the project was aiming to build an unofficial network of affiliates in all the project partner countries, establishing lasting partnerships to promote ongoing collaboration and innovation across these sectors.
We applied for the Circus TransFormation Advanced (later CTFA) project to address crucial needs at the intersection of social circus, youth work, and social work, while responding to the challenges of a changing world. The need for social circus trainers to be better equipped to work with vulnerable youth was clear, particularly those facing social exclusion, disabilities, or seeking refuge. Our aim was to address this by further developing the CTF (Circus TransFormation) training program, ensuring it could meet the evolving demands of youth and social work organizations, and provide these professionals with tools for inclusive, creative approaches to engage marginalized groups. A central aspect of the project was fostering stronger collaboration between circus trainers and youth and social work professionals, building lasting partnerships to support young people. In line with societal shifts, the project also addressed the need to adapt training to more inclusive practices, including the use of gender-inclusive pronouns and creating safer spaces for participants. These updates aimed to make the social circus environment not only educational but also a place where youth could feel secure, respected, and empowered.