Five projects supported with 34.000 euros as the result of the first public call will be implemented by five diverse organisations. It is our honor to present to you the 2024 guarantees:
Implementing Organisation | Project Name | Project Duration |
The Spyronians Podcast Show | Sep 2024 – Sep 2025 | |
Beezantium | Sep 2024 – July 2025 | |
Window to the Past: Industrial Heritage of Zaječar | Oct 2024 – Dec 2025 | |
MoCA-Skopje Masterpieces 4 All | Nov 2024 – Nov 2025 | |
Fostering Museum Engagement with Young Adults | Dec 2024 – May 2026 |
Ambelli
Ambelli is a non-profit organization that has been operating in Thessaly, Greece, since June 2023. Its mission is to revitalize vulnerable communities by harnessing their economic potential, cultural wealth, and natural beauty. The organization operates under the principles of the 3 R’s – Reclaim, Rebuild, and Reconnect. Ambelli supports individuals in reclaiming their lives, rebuilding their communities, and reconnecting with the nature, traditions, and culture of Greece.
When Storm Daniel struck Thessaly in September 2023, the resulting floods caused immense damage to residents, livestock, and the environment. Ambelli responded immediately, taking a leading role in disaster relief by assisting with clean-up efforts, coordinating the delivery of drinkable water, distributing meals, and managing a warehouse that served as a logistical hub for multiple organizations.
As a volunteer-led organization, Ambelli is deeply rooted in community action and intergenerational learning. Through targeted projects, Ambelli fosters confidence and collaboration within the community, delivering both immediate results and long-term impact. Its commitment to sustainability, cultural preservation, and community engagement honors the past while actively shaping the future.
To learn more about Ambelli, visit: ambelli.org
Ambelli is implementing a project called “Beezantium,” a cultural heritage and community development initiative with three interconnected components: the promotion of Byzantine culture, practical training in apiculture, and community development activities focused on sustainability. Beezantium is inspired by the local icon of the Virgin Mary of the Bees and highlights the critical role of bees in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and planet.
Through educational lectures, workshops, tours of local Byzantine sites, art-making, and planting activities that support nectar and pollination, residents will learn about the region’s Byzantine cultural heritage, reconsider the potential of its natural resources, and envision a new future for their community.
Beezantium aims to spark a paradigm shift by examining the behavior of honeybees, encouraging participants to reflect on how their region can best enjoy, preserve, and share its cultural history and environmental wealth. The project will unite different generations in debate, learning, and action.
The Karoussos Archives
The Karoussos Archives, a century-old collection of Byzantine art, demonstrates how culture can shape society and inspire change. By drawing from the Byzantine cultural legacy, the Archives promote sustainable development and social advancement. Advanced technologies are utilized to find new ways to express Byzantine monumental art, while various social services, outreach projects, and advocacy work are undertaken based on this rich cultural heritage, tailored to address contemporary needs. Through reflection on the past and recognition of present achievements, the Karoussos Archives aim to build a brighter present and a thriving future.
To learn more about Karoussos Archives, visit: www.karoussosarchives.com
The Karoussos Archives implements the project “The Spyronians Podcast Show”. This podcast will examine Byzantine culture not only for its artistic value but also as a model for understanding the importance of cultural heritage in sustainability. It explores the historical and philosophical foundations of Byzantine culture and connects that knowledge to contemporary issues. By studying how Byzantine culture valued its social impact, the podcast seeks to promote community engagement, education, and environmental preservation to foster a more sustainable future.
The podcast’s host, Spyro, is a fictional character who navigates modern concepts such as social media, technology, and social issues, offering insightful perspectives based on his life in the 12th century. Spyro interviews fascinating guests to learn about their lives and experiences, creating unexpected connections between the past and the present. His core values—friendship, boldness, and standing up for ideals—remain relevant today, offering a fresh perspective on modern challenges.
SKVER
SKVER was initiated in 2018 by critical theorist Vesna Madžoski and photographer Mikica Andrejić as a reaction to the social conditions in Zaječar, Eastern Serbia, which faced depopulation and loss of public space during the so-called transitional period. The name SKVER comes from the informal name for the main square in town, reflecting the idea of creating a new public space where citizens could meet and communicate again.
The main form this initiative has taken so far is virtual, with a website and social media presence established in February 2019 at www.skvermagazin.com. Since then, SKVER has initiated and participated in various projects focused on the digitization of the cultural and industrial heritage of the Timok Valley Region. These include digitizing more than 10,000 images from photo negatives of two former factory giants, Crystal Factory and Leather and Textile Industrial Complex “Zaječar,” which were found by chance; making twelve years of the newspaper Timok, once the main newspaper of the Timok Valley Region, available online; and organizing the exhibition Fragile: Glass Narratives, Broken Histories in collaboration with Public Space With a Roof from Amsterdam (held at the Belgrade Museum of Applied Art in January 2023 and Bor Public Library from April to September 2023). In 2023, SKVER successfully organized the first TIMOK DIGITAL: Media Digitization Workshop for librarians, museum curators, and archivists of the Timok Region in collaboration with partner institutions from the USA – MARMIA, Community Archiving Workshop, and XFR Collective.
To learn more about Skver, visit www.skvermagazin.com
The project “Window to the Past: Industrial Heritage of Zaječar” aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the city’s cultural and industrial heritage. This will be done by making SKVER’s collection of images and objects accessible to the general public through a new exhibition space and social media campaign. The main objectives of this project are: raising awareness and educating the citizens of Zaječar on the importance of preserving and digitizing industrial and cultural heritage; expanding SKVER’s audience by promoting our activities to new audiences on social media; promoting the educational potential of exhibitions by organizing a series of online and in-space exhibitions of items from the SKVER collection; stimulating creative thinking about the past through educational activities; and promoting the value of the region’s cultural and industrial heritage as a significant touristic asset.
MoCA-Skopje
The Museum of Contemporary Art – Skopje (MoCA-Skopje) is a leading institution in North Macedonia, dedicated to discovering, preserving, and promoting contemporary art and culture. Founded in 1964, the museum was established through global donations of artworks to the city of Skopje, symbolizing international solidarity. Its mission is to nurture and share the values of modern and contemporary art that shape today’s culture and society.
MoCA is recognized for its commitment to presenting, understanding, and engaging with art. Alongside its valuable collection, which offers a representative view of modern and contemporary art, the museum continues to pursue its goals of preserving, protecting, and expanding its 5,300-piece collection. By exposing these works to the public, the museum fosters an understanding of contemporary art and society while addressing both regional and global artistic perspectives and the challenges facing art and society today.
To learn more about MoCA, visit: msu.mk
The “MoCA-Skopje Masterpieces 4 All” project aims to make contemporary art accessible by addressing the critical issue of accessibility for individuals with disabilities within cultural institutions, particularly museums. . Despite progress in awareness and technology, barriers still exist that prevent full participation in the museum experience. This project seeks to overcome these challenges by implementing comprehensive accessibility measures that cover physical, sensory, informational, and programmatic needs. As such, it is developed and implemented with the involvement of people with disabilities and special schools.
The project will enhance accessibility through initiatives like Museum in a Suitcase and by training museum staff to provide a multi-sensory experience both inside and outside the museum. Direct outcomes will include a partially accessible museum collection through the Museum in a Suitcase, a study on accessibility as a foundation for future projects, trained staff, and special educational workshops designed for various disabilities and elderly visitors. Additionally, the project will increase knowledge and awareness around accessibility issues.
Kulturanova
Kulturanova initiates intercultural and intersectoral dialogue in society, focusing on raising awareness of relevant social issues and promoting the development of urban youth culture. Its vision is to build creative platforms for young people in Novi Sad and the surrounding region. Founded in 2001 in Novi Sad, with over 200 young people taking part in the Founding Assembly, Kulturanova began as an “umbrella” organization uniting various non-formal, independent art groups, as well as young individuals and activists. The organization primarily targets young people aged 18 to 35 through its diverse activities.
Kulturanova operates through four program pillars: Teatarnova, which focuses on theatre and performance; Muzikanova, which supports young musicians; Medianova, which produces audio-visual and media content; and Futuranova, which fosters innovation in the cultural sector.
Kulturanova’s goals include removing barriers to coexistence in Novi Sad and Vojvodina by initiating dialogue between various vulnerable sub-cultural groups. It seeks to develop a culture of dialogue among young people from Serbia and neighboring countries through the joint production of cultural content. The organization also promotes creativity as a means to improve work culture in non-cultural sectors, encouraging joint action for more effective social relations. Additionally, Kulturanova works to decentralize culture and actively participates in planning and improving public policies in the fields of youth and culture in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, and Serbia.
To learn more about Kulturanova, visit https://www.kulturanova.org
The project “Fostering Museum Engagement with Young Adults” aims to bridge the gap between museums and young people by equipping museum professionals in Serbia and Montenegro with gamification skills. By developing and delivering a comprehensive training program, the project seeks to enhance museums’ ability to create engaging and interactive experiences, thereby increasing youth attendance and fostering a deeper connection with cultural heritage. Additionally, the project will establish a supportive network for museum professionals and young adults through a dedicated online platform.
The project will result in the development of a gamification training curriculum for museum professionals, increasing youth participation in museum activities. It will also enhance the capacity of museums to adopt innovative approaches and foster a stronger network between museum professionals and young adults.