“Enlighten, Engage, Empower- Throw Culture to Community” is an Erasmus+ project in collaboration with The Association of Lithuania's Regions Libraries (Lithuania) and CULTIV ASSOCIAÇÃO DE IDEIAS (Portugal).The goal of the project is to prompt the inclusion of socially vulnerable people into community life by providing better opportunities for cultural expression and enhancing the abilities of adult educators to encourage and assist them.

The project's objectives are closely tied to Erasmus+ priorities:

1. The project aims to empower partners to engage vulnerable groups such as the unemployed, the elderly, migrants, and those residing in remote areas in creative and cognitive activities. By doing so, the project hopes to promote learning opportunities for all citizens and generations.

2. The project aims to introduce new ideas and training methods. This will contribute to improving the inclusiveness and accessibility of adult education.

3. The project aims to involve disadvantaged individuals in cultural education that foster the discovery of common values and promote cohesive collaboration bridging intercultural, intergenerational, and social divides.

4. Finally, the project will develop digital educational tools that align with the national Erasmus+ priorities.

From May 5th to 7th, 2024, VVIF hosted 8 participants from our project partners in Lithuania and Portugal in the peripheral district of Lyulin, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Participants immersed themselves in a range of creative activities, exploring the connection between the arts and digital platforms, including virtual galleries, and experimenting with AI tools to enhance creative expression. The training was enriched by insightful discussions and practical tools to exchange experience and in the adult education sector.

The project will continue with upcoming learning visits to Lithuania and Portugal, alongside the development of video tutorials.

As part of our collaboration VVI foundation participated in the Transnational Experience Exchange in Portugal from 7-9 October 2024. Hosted by CULTIV’ ASSOCIAÇÃO DE IDEIAS, we explored their methodology for promoting cultural engagement in rural areas through creative writing, reading, and storytelling workshops.

We also gained valuable insights into managing digital platforms, such as podcasts and YouTube channels, and visited a local school in Malveira, where we saw the impact of cultural education on the community. The exchange was enriched by meaningful discussions and practical tools for the adult education sector.