The 3rd topic of Voices of Culture 2021 – 2023 will generate project ideas and policy recommendations for the cultural and creative sectors and decision-makers on the topic of the role of the cultural and creative sectors in improving mental health of young people.
More than one in six people across EU countries had a mental health problem in 2016, well before the pandemic. Numerous cultural and creative projects address at different levels the mental health and wellbeing of young people, in terms of promotion, prevention, treatment, and management. Aesthetic and emotional components of arts activities can provide opportunities for emotional expression, emotion regulation – intrinsic to how we manage our mental health – and stress reduction.
The activities within Voices of Culture 2021-2023 include a Brainstorming Meeting at Goethe-Institut Brussels on 4 and 5 October and a Dialogue Meeting at Goethe-Institut Brussels on 8 December.
Successful applicants will be invited to both events to share their input on aspects such as the evidence on the contribution of the cultural and creative sectors to improving the mental health and well-being of young people, at national and international level; synergies with other policy fields (health, education, social welfare, etc.) to maximize results as well as examples of interventions where there is robust evidence of successful outcomes, particularly for disadvantaged young people.
The call is open to representatives of the cultural and creative sectors and other relevant sectors (professional organisations, cultural institutions, non-governmental organisations, European networks, foundations, private organisations, etc.) with relevant expertise on the topic Youth, Mental Health and Culture who would like to contribute to discussions with the European Commission. Applying organisations must be based in one of the 27 EU Member States.
Applications can be submitted until 13 July. The results will be announced on 20 July. It is important to read the framework paper by the expert Annalisa Cicerchia beforeapplying. More information about the Open Call can be found here.
This Voices Of Culture topic is taking place in the context of the European Year of Youth 2022.
