Mind The Gap project kicks off in Krakow to bridge cultural and educational gaps across Europe

The beautiful city of Krakow set the stage for the anticipated kick-off of the Mind The Gap project in late January. Hosted by the Małopolska Institute of Culture in Krakow, the event gathered representatives from Finland, Norway and Slovenia, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort to foster artistic and cultural education for children and youth across Europe.

The project, co-funded by the European Union, aims to bridge critical gaps in access to culture, cooperation between education and cultural sectors, and societal divides. These gaps, though experienced differently in each partner country, share a common impact: they affect the well-being of young people. To learn more about the project click here.

A collaborative and insightful start

The kick-off meeting offered a platform for project partners to exchange ideas, refine their strategies, and build a cohesive roadmap for the next phases of the initiative. Representatives from each partner country presented their initial concepts for art education laboratories. These sessions proved invaluable as participants provided thoughtful feedback and suggestions to enhance the plans.

The emphasis on peer learning is a defining feature of the project. By leveraging the diverse experiences of the different partner organizations, the project seeks to develop relevant solutions that resonate both locally and offer ideas for improvement internationally.

Building momentum

Participants left the meeting energized and inspired, with a clear sense of direction for the project’s upcoming milestones. On the agenda there were sessions focusing on the project’s communication and dissemination activities, including the project’s website that will be a platform for resources. Stay tuned, the website will be published soon!

Looking ahead

After three lovely and inspiring days spent together, partners returned home to continue their work. The next stages of the project are the laboratories and their peer-reviews. First visits to partners’ laboratories are happening in March and April. 

Thank you Małopolska Institute of Culture for hosting us and providing us with an interesting program!