Rooted in a common goal.
Centro Diego Fabbri (Italy)
The Centro Diego Fabbri (CDF) is a cultural association located in Forlì, Italy, dedicated to organizing and promoting cultural events and projects. It was established through the collaboration of various entities and individuals to honor the contributions of Diego Fabbri, a renowned playwright and journalist from Forlì. Its partners include the University of Bologna, the Province of Forlì-Cesena, and the Municipality of Forlì. CDF is actively involved in researching and promoting theater at various levels, fostering collaboration among different cultural stakeholders, conducting initiatives with schools, and supporting young playwrights. The CDF also manages the Diego Fabbri City Theatre in Forlì, overseeing both its theatrical and promotional aspects.
The association is committed to enhancing accessibility to the arts and offers training through initiatives like the "Spectator School" and the "Teatro No Limits" project for spectators with sensory disabilities. CDF collaborates with the local mental health authority and the University of Bologna to educate students about theater culture.
Additionally, CDF has engaged in several EU projects, such as CASTLE (Erasmus+), POP DRAMA (Creative Europe, Culture), and EUROPOLY (Europe for Citizens, Network of Towns), focusing on entrepreneurship, European dramaturgy circulation, and promoting dialogue on EU policies at the local level. The association is also experienced in communication and dissemination activities through the Diego Fabbri City Theatre and a thematic blog.
Teatr Grodzki (Poland)
Teatr Grodzki, a non-profit organization in Poland, founded in 1999 by local artists and educators, aims to promote social inclusion through art, especially theater. They focus on supporting individuals with disabilities, at-risk families, young offenders, addiction victims, the unemployed, and marginalized groups. This unique organization provides a wide-ranging artistic and educational program to combat social exclusion in southern Poland.
Their activities include arts workshops and training programs in drama education, social equity, and social economics for professionals in various sectors. Teatr Grodzki supports approximately 500 people in need each year.
Recognized as a public benefit organization since 2003, they operate on local, regional, national, and international levels and collaborate on EU-funded projects.
Funding is secured from various sources, including the National Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Fund, the Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage, and local authorities, allowing them to employ around 50 staff members annually.
Teatr Grodzki specializes in using art, particularly theater, to facilitate social inclusion for vulnerable groups, working closely with institutions like re-socialization centers and hospitals. They have a history of over two decades of assisting disadvantaged individuals, including those with mental illnesses.
Their involvement in EU projects, like "Create a Puppet, Create Yourself" (Erasmus+), showcases their dedication to using art to empower and engage vulnerable populations, as seen in their workshops with psychiatric hospital patients.
Landspitali (Iceland)
Landspítali University Hospital is the leading healthcare institution in Iceland, funded by the Ministry of Welfare and supervised by the Directorate of Health. It serves a crucial role in patient care, clinical staff training, and scientific research. The hospital provides a wide range of clinical services, including outpatient clinics, day patient units, inpatient wards, critical care units, and clinical laboratories, with a strong focus on delivering high-quality and globally competitive healthcare with compassion, progress, safety, and professionalism.
One notable service offered by the hospital is a recovery center within the Icelandic Public Healthcare System, catering to adults with various mental disorders. This center receives approximately 200-250 visits per week and plays a vital role in rehabilitation treatments. Landspítali University Hospital has a history of participation in EU-funded projects, aligning with the DREAM THEATRE project's focus on recovery pathways, encompassing theater, education, exercise, hobbies, leisure activities, relaxation, and societal connections through school and work.
The hospital's dedicated staff consists of diverse professionals, including occupational therapists, sport scientists, psychologists, nurses, former service users, and project managers. They operate on a recovery model that empowers clients to find their unique path to recovery based on their individual needs and aspirations.
Intras (Spain)
INTRAS, a non-profit organization established in 1994, is dedicated to improving the lives of people with mental illness and various challenges, including youth with disabilities, the elderly, and homeless individuals. With 12 centers across seven provinces in Spain and over 300 professionals in psychology, education, and social work, INTRAS offers a holistic approach combining healthcare, training, and research.
Their primary focus is on adults and youth of working age who face disabilities or mental health issues. INTRAS provides a wide array of services, such as vocational training, psychosocial rehabilitation, counseling, and creative activities like art, sports, gardening, and horticulture.
The organization operates based on the "Recovery approach," empowering service users to lead self-determined lives and achieve self-confidence by tailoring vocational training and employability programs to their aspirations. Employment is the ultimate goal, either within a social enterprise or in the mainstream job market.
INTRAS has extensive experience in European projects and is an active member of relevant disability networks. They have received the EFQM certificate for business excellence and have strong ties to local hospitals. Additionally, they specialize in using art and theater-based techniques to support individuals with mental health challenges and those with learning disabilities or behavioral issues. Their initiatives include music bands and theater groups, and they collaborate on raising awareness about mental illness through documentaries.
Kulturanova (Serbia)
Kulturanova, established in 2001, is a non-profit association in Novi Sad, Serbia, dedicated to promoting intercultural and intersectoral dialogue in society, with a focus on nurturing youth creativity through art education, cultural content production, and advocacy for cultural and youth-related public policies. Their core values include interculturalism, intersectoral networking, peacebuilding, equality, and participation.
With a history of over 100 projects of various scales, Kulturanova has actively participated in the Creative Europe Programme, Erasmus+, and IPA Civil Society Facility. They played a pivotal role in Novi Sad's candidacy for European Capital of Culture and European Youth Capital, leading to the establishment of the OPENS association of NGOs, where Kulturanova is a founding member.
The association engages in shaping and enhancing public policies in youth and culture, both at the local and international levels. They are part of networks like NICE (Network for Innovations in Culture & Creativity in Europe) and ENCC (European Network of Cultural Centres).
Kulturanova operates in four key areas: Teatarnova (theatre and performance), Muzikanova (support for young musicians), Medianova (audio-visual and media content), and Futuranova (innovations in the cultural sector).
Their primary objectives encompass promoting dialogue among various subcultural groups, enhancing work culture in non-cultural sectors through creativity, fostering cross-border dialogue among youth, and decentralizing cultural activities to underserved areas.
Kulturanova's expertise and experience are evident in their involvement in projects funded by Creative Europe and Erasmus+. They have executed projects related to social inclusion, theater, and collaboration with Roma communities, reflecting their commitment to addressing relevant issues through art and culture.
AUSL Romagna (Italy)
AUSL Romagna is a significant local health authority serving over 1.1 million residents in Italy. Within AUSL Romagna, the Mental Health Department focuses on various aspects of mental health, including promotion, treatment, rehabilitation, and emergency response. The Psychiatric Day Centre, a part of this department, plays a vital role in patient rehabilitation and psychotherapy.
A standout initiative within the Psychiatric Day Centre is the "Il Dirigibile" acting company, which comprises both mental patients and healthcare workers engaged in theatrical activities. These activities encompass theoretical and practical elements, including fundamental theatrical techniques and improvisation. The goal is to develop cognitive, physical, and expressive skills, stimulate imagination and creativity, promote socialization, enhance self-awareness, and boost motivation.
AUSL Romagna collaborates with the cultural sector and local stakeholders, involving the "Il Dirigibile" company in festivals and cooperating with local universities and theaters. Their experience has led to the creation of a regional forum to coordinate and promote mental health actions. The "Teatro e Salute Mentale" (Theatre and Mental Health) project focuses on raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. AUSL Romagna actively engages with regional cultural professionals, contributing to innovative approaches in mental health support.
