About the ECP-FG
The European Cultural Parliament - Future Generation (ECP-FG) is a new initiative created within the European Cultural Parliament (ECP) and is partly built on the previous ECP Youth Network, founded during the 9th session of the ECP, in Athens in 2010.
The ECP-FG aims to generate cultural progressive and innovative thinking to inspire Europe, as well as challenge and influence decision-makers. By offering a platform for exchange and competence development, access to a profound network of artists and academics, we want to give emerging artists and cultural managers the opportunity to rise in their profession and contribute to the discussion on what European identity represents today.
We believe the arts to be crucial not only for the development of the debate on identity in Europe but also for a balanced global society.
Why Join
Share your research and talent!
Network
Access to a local & Pan-European network of aspiring artists & cultural managers
PArticipation
Participation & contribution to festivals, meetings, workshops and other events
Mentorship
Profit from the mentoring synergies created with established
European Cultural
Parliament members
& other experts
Influence
Present your work, ideas, and visions for an inspired Europe on a platform reaching out to society, including decision makers
We are a network of young aspiring artists and cultural professionals living all over Europe - Europe as defined by the European Council. Our aim is to promote creative and innovative ideas for an inspired Europe. By creating a platform for exchange, professional development, and socio-political involvement, we hope to make our member's voices heard and to strengthen European ties.
After acceptance to the network, our members will have access to the following opportunities
History- ECP Youth Network
01
The ECP Youth Network was a network for young cultural practitioners across geographical Europe between the ages of 20 and 35. The ECP YN was created within the European Cultural Parliament in 2010 but had its own legal body since November 2013 until the early part of 2017. The founders and members of the ECP YN were united by a common interest in boosting the value of arts and culture, increasing European best practices exchange and collaboration and giving youth a voice in the public discourse and among decision-makers.
The ECP YN provided a platform for exchange between cultural practitioner through an online presence, regular meetings and themed conferences all over Europe. The network got support from The European Programme “Youth in Action” in 2011. It was used to build a first working structure and form European national networks. From now on it had a pan-European core group and a couple of different pan-European coordinators.
Members of the network were very engaged and like-minded people whith strong ambitions to use their experiences to share it with others to strengthen European affairs in art and culture. It lay ground for smaller and bigger cooperation between the members in their working field. Personal contacts among them functioned as back up and think tank for getting new and other ideas.
02
ECP YN engaged around activities as pan-European professional networking, development and conduct of case studies, surveys, best practices exchange, collaboration projects. In these years the network focused on current issues like new ways in cultural entrepreneurship, improving the financial situation of projects, political changes like in Greece and their influence in art and culture and last but not least personal living situations were discussed and worked on.
For example different working groups were created around various topics such as ‘Freedom of expression and art in the public space’, ‘Entrepreneurial skills in artistic education and training’ and ‘Art with social impact’. An example of a study and project was the Empowerment Through Culture Project, a focus group study on the needs of young cultural practitioners carried out in several cities across Kosovo. This study was aimed to be a pilot study that then would be implemented in various countries. In Kosovo, the study was implemented in collaboration between DardaMEDIA (ECP YN hub organization Kosovo), the ECP YN Kosovo team led by Nita Zeqiri and then also by Johanna Suo, ECP YN pan-European coordinator. The study was funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Kosovo.
03
Several needs, issues and suggestions were presented such as the need of structural support of artists, freeing art institutions from political interference, better access to funds and equal opportunities, engage in the benefits of art from kindergarten level in order to change perceptions of the arts. Other problems mentioned were favouritism in the selection of managers and leaders, as well as lack of access to cultural management training.
The ECP YN was managed on a non-profit and voluntary basis, which was partly why the work was not sustainable. However, for a lot of members the network had been a corner stone in their life and working career. At the highest activity level the ECP YN had national-level networks in sixteen countries; Germany, France, Sweden, UK, Spain, Kosovo, Slovenia, Poland, Cyprus, Romania, Ukraine, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Moldova. Some partners were: UNESCO Youth Forum, Youth Association for a Greater Europe, Darda MEDIA, Kosovo, Lava, Sweden, Transforma, Portugal, Economia Creativa, Spain, Oberliht, Moldova.