ARTIVISM – Bridging Art and Migrant Voices for a Peaceful Future

In the face of growing challenges related to migration and refugees in Europe, young people from these backgrounds often experience marginalization, a lack of space to express themselves, and difficulties in building their own cultural identity. The lack of constructive intercultural dialogue leads to misunderstandings, exclusion, and the rise of intolerant attitudes. The ARTIVISM project addresses these challenges by using art and artistic activism as tools for social integration, combating discrimination, and building a community based on the values of solidarity and peace

Project objectives

• Empowering young migrants and refugees through training in artivism and social entrepreneurship—so that they become active leaders of change in their communities
• Promoting cross-border cooperation and intercultural dialogue through joint artistic initiatives that strengthen social bonds and highlight shared values
• Raising public awareness and fostering empathy among young people through a digital artistic platform showcasing migrants’ stories and works of art with a social message

Target groups

• Young people with migration and refugee backgrounds (including unaccompanied minors, second-generation migrants, and young people displaced by conflict).
• Local youth interested in integration and cultural exchange.
• Youth workers, teachers, cultural animators, intercultural mediators, and NGOs working with migrants
• Local communities and cultural institutions, including artists, arts centers, libraries, and associations.

Results

1. The project will result in the creation of the Artivism Gallery platform, which will serve as a digital hub for collecting the stories of young migrant artists, their works, and educational materials on integration and human rights.
2. A Learning Toolkit will be developed, serving as a practical guide for youth workers, cultural facilitators, and trainers, demonstrating how to use artistic events as a tool for social change.
3. Another outcome will be the launch of Artistic Peace Desks—teams of young leaders, including migrants and refugees, who will organize and lead local artistic events in each partner country.
4. The project will also feature artistic events in local communities, engaging youth, migrants, and residents in the process of co-creating and presenting works of art across the five partner countries.
5. These results will be complemented by the “Art for Peace” social media campaign, which aims to promote art as a tool to combat discrimination, hate speech, and social exclusion.
6. An additional outcome of the project will be the production of the film “Artivism in Action,” showcasing the participants’ activities, the resulting artworks, and their impact on local communities.

Added value

The project will equip young migrants and refugees with practical tools to build their agency, and local communities with opportunities for authentic encounters and dialogue. Through artivism—the fusion of art and activism—participants will acquire new skills, enhance their intercultural competencies, and help build more open, united, and peaceful societies

Planned activities

• Partner webinars and expert sessions on artivism.
• Interviews and publication of the stories of at least 10 young migrant artists.
• Development and launch of the Artivism Gallery digital platform.
• LTTA training in Italy for youth workers.
• Creation of artworks in local communities and their presentation during artistic events.
• A media campaign and a final international seminar in Poland to summarize the project

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.