Over the past 16 months, Collab4HySustCCI, coordinated by Materahub, has been a collective effort aimed at fostering cross-sector collaboration, knowledge exchange, and capacity building within the cultural and creative sector.
This initiative has connected 15 selected cultural and creative organizations across SEE (Southern-Eastern Europe), empowering them with a grant to implement their pilot projects, structured mentorship, and four dedicated knowledge-sharing sessions.
These platforms have been instrumental in enabling participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and explore innovative approaches to drive change in their respective fields.
Thanks to their mentors, the 15 CCIs had the opportunity to implement the pilot projects they originally proposed during the Open Call, making this initiative a successful experiment in incubating innovative ideas and cultural projects in the regions.
A Hybrid and Interactive Knowledge-Sharing Session in Athens
As we reached the final Knowledge-Sharing Session in Athens, the two-day event provided a significant moment of reflection, evaluation, and forward planning. Hosted by our partner Synergasia, this fifth Knowledge-Sharing Session offered a platform for each of the 15 selected CCIs to pitch their pilot projects, demonstrating the remarkable impact of their creative work over the past year and a half.
Their presentations were a reflection of the power of culture in addressing contemporary challenges and fostering meaningful societal transformations.
A key feature of this session was its hybrid format, which allowed for both in-person and online participation. This flexible approach ensured that mentees, mentors, and a public audience could engage despite logistical or unforeseen constraints, reinforcing the importance of digital accessibility within the CCI sector.
The event also facilitated interactive discussions and structured feedback sessions, where participants exchanged insights and received targeted reviews of their projects’ ambitions and impact indicators.
Pilot Projects: Cultural Innovation in Action
Over the course of the event, the 15 selected CCIs had the opportunity to showcase the tangible results of their pilot projects, which were developed and refined through the mentorship. Each of these projects represents a unique and creative response to contemporary social, environmental, and artistic challenges, demonstrating how culture can act as a catalyst for change. Their initiatives span multiple disciplines, from digital innovation and community engagement to environmental sustainability and accessibility in the arts. Below are the 15 pioneering projects that illustrate the diversity and impact of cultural innovation across the SEE region:
- Arte Urbana Collectif (Bulgaria) – Film Education Online Hub: Decentralized digital access to film education for children.
- Flat Line Collective EOOD (Bulgaria) – SoAlive Music Conference: A hybrid collaboration merging music conference audiences and experiences—a smooth blend of in-person and digital interactions.
- Karakashyan & Artists (Bulgaria) – Insert Coin/Player One: Shaping humanity through immersive storytelling with gamification in dance.
- Ot Nota Do Cviat (Bulgaria) – Music Connects: Promoting music talent development among youth through international collaborations.
- Limfjordsteatret (Denmark) – Slow Walks Through Landscapes: A creative exploration addressing climate and depopulation challenges in island communities.
- Amaneï (Italy) – Aeolian Amalgama: Tackling climate challenges through intergenerational connections and cross-disciplinary actions.
- Club Silencio (Italy) – In Situ “Baracca n°4”: Strengthening community identity in Turin through contemporary art.
- Il Salone dei Rifiutati (Italy) – ReDo Factory: Reusing waste to create educational creative play kits.
- Aska & the Wolf (Serbia) – The Giving Tree Table: Raising awareness of illegal deforestation through furniture design.
- Rural Cultural Center Markovac (Serbia) – Abandoned Orchards: Transforming abandoned orchards into cultural and social hubs.
- Street Art Belgrade (Serbia) – Art in Passing: Using 3D printing to enhance cultural accessibility for visually impaired visitors.
- Community Center Krov (Serbia) – Radio PoDKrovlje: Scaling up decentralized digital radio for cultural participation through partnerships.
- Openfarm (Greece) – OpenArt Farm Days: Connecting rural and urban communities through sustainable events and intersectoral partnerships.
- ACEY Europe (Greece) – HYDOR: Implementing sustainable water solutions on the Cycladic island of Kythnos through social engagement and new technology.
- AltreMenti Labs (Italy) – AltreMenti Unconventional Live Sessions: Bringing music placemaking to public heritage sites.
A Collective Commitment to Cultural Innovation
Participants were encouraged to reflect on their journeys, not just as individual organizations, but as part of a growing network of creative changemakers. The discussions emphasized the importance of strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and artistic direction—key factors in ensuring the sustainability and impact of cultural projects.
Moving forward, the experiences and collaborations formed during Collab4HySustCCI will continue to resonate, strengthening the European cultural and creative ecosystem. The cultural and creative industries have the power to drive social impact and tackle contemporary challenges—a vision that has been fully embraced throughout this initiative.
As we look ahead, the emphasis will remain on strengthening networks, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and ensuring that cultural innovation continues to shape our societies in meaningful ways. The lessons learned from this initiative will serve as a foundation for future projects, ensuring that support for creative entrepreneurs and cultural changemakers continues to grow and evolve.
