Enlighten, Engage, Empower: Culture to Community

The first transnational project meeting took place in Sofia, Bulgaria, hosted by the foundation Values, Virtues, Integrity (VVI). The gathering focused on VVI’s experience in using art and digital tools to foster community engagement and social inclusion, particularly among vulnerable groups in peripheral urban areas. The main goal was to explore how creativity and digital competence can empower adult learners and strengthen community ties.

Participants were introduced to a range of arts and culture-based initiatives aimed at building cohesive local communities. Engaging discussions highlighted how citizen participation in creative activities can be a driver for social change. A workshop on artificial intelligence in the arts provided insights into the potential of digital innovation to enhance artistic expression.

Further inspiration came from a visit to Vitosha Mountain, where participants took part in a land art workshop using natural materials, reflecting on the connection between environment, art, and community. The meeting also included a hands-on mural painting event in a residential complex in the Lyulin district, fostering collaboration and community spirit. To conclude, a workshop on virtual exhibitions gave participants the opportunity to transform their creations into a digital gallery, showcasing the artworks produced during the event.

The meeting in Sofia demonstrated how creativity, technology, and community engagement can intersect to promote inclusion, expression, and active citizenship.

Partners from Bulgaria and Lithuania participated in the second exchange event of the Erasmus+ project “Enlighten, Engage, Empower: Through Culture to Community” in Mafra, Portugal. The event focused on promoting the inclusion of socially disadvantaged groups through cultural expression and technology, empowering adult educators to support these individuals with innovative educational programs.

The event featured presentations and discussions on various community-driven initiatives. One such initiative was “The Storyteller”, which encourages regular storytelling sessions in local communities, involving the elderly and unemployed individuals in pre-retirement periods. A “Poetic Massages” workshop provided therapeutic relaxation through poetry, promoting well-being.

Participants also took part in a workshop on “Animation Through Reading – Approach for Mediators”, exploring how literature and poetry can support personal reflection and expression. A presentation of the “Poetry Has No Boundaries” project highlighted its role in using art for social inclusion and personal empowerment, in partnership with the Directorate General for Reinsertion and Prison Services.

The event also showcased the Serta community’s innovative approach to preserving memories, where elderly participants shared stories via Zoom during the pandemic. These stories are now accessible through QR codes.

A final workshop allowed participants to create a “Map of Sensitive Memories”, blending personal histories with local traditions. The event introduced new technologies like Stop Motion, InShort, and poetry podcasts, expanding creative possibilities for storytelling.

The event in Portugal demonstrated the power of creativity, technology, and community initiatives in fostering social inclusion and empowering individuals.

During the third transnational meeting of the project Enlighten, Engage, Empower: Throw Culture to Community, partners from Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Portugal gathered in Kaunas to explore how technology can amplify the impact of culture within communities.

The event highlighted the growing role of digital tools and creative technologies in cultural spaces. Through interactive workshops, participants explored how libraries and cultural institutions can integrate innovations—such as Makerspace activities, digital storytelling, and gamified learning—to better engage local communities. Particular focus was placed on repurposing technology, as well as on using programming and device-based activities to foster creativity and inclusion.

Participants experienced the “Living Library” concept, enhanced through gamification methods, and visited Science Island—a leading center for science and innovation—to explore how cultural and educational institutions can collaborate to promote technology-based learning.

The meeting concluded with a visit to the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum, where participants were immersed in the virtual reality film Angelų Takais—a powerful example of how digital experiences can bring art and heritage to life.

The Kaunas meeting demonstrated how the combination of technology and culture can spark innovation, strengthen social bonds, and empower communities to face contemporary challenges with creativity and resilience.