The project sought to empower adult educators to engage socially vulnerable adults—seniors, migrants, minorities, the unemployed, and rural residents—by using culture and digital tools as vehicles for learning and inclusion. We aimed to foster mutual learning among educators through shared experience, exchange of good practices, testing of creative approaches in local communities, development of nine instructional video tutorials on integrating digital tools into cultural activities, and the launch of the website eeeproject.net to host all outputs. Through these actions, we wanted to reach learners across generations, make adult education more accessible, and inspire civic participation through creative cultural engagement. We also aimed to introduce new teaching methods, enhance digital literacy among educators and learners, and bridge intercultural, intergenerational, and social divides. In doing so, the project aimed to meet Erasmus+ priorities and address key topics such as inclusion, participation, digital skills, and innovative learning.
The Erasmus+ project “Enlighten, Engage, Empower: Throw Culture to Community” was launched to use culture and digital technology to foster social inclusion, recognizing that cultural participation combined with modern tools can enrich lives and engage people in new ways to build inclusive communities. In Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Portugal, adult educators face common challenges engaging socially vulnerable groups: only ~11% of seniors participate in community life; many rural residents lack digital skills and feel isolated; and migrants, refugees, and minorities often struggle with integration. Libraries and cultural organizations play a key role in addressing these needs by using creative programs and digital tools to involve vulnerable groups and strengthen community ties. Active cultural engagement is crucial for well-being and inclusion, as it boosts civic awareness, social cohesion and a sense of belonging. By empowering educators with innovative cultural approaches, the project aimed to enhance social inclusion and improve the quality of life in these communities.