The impact of those crises on children and youth has been huge and at many different levels: educational, cultural, mental health and economical. Given the urgent challenges facing democracy, in Europe and globally, nurturing the capacity of children and youth to imagine and reimagine democracy is essential. Essential is to create a safe space where democratic models could be openly and creatively discussed - from the indigenous ones to the ones inherited from ancient Greece and colonisation - to critically observe and eventually engage with attempts to bring out new democratic models to build more resilient societies.

The Creative Link project seeks to harness the potential role of arts for young audiences to enhance youth’s creativity and citizenship engagement to rethink and reimagine democracy. By strengthening performing arts for children and young people in Rwanda through skills development, artistic professional exchange, international collaborations and sustainability development activities, the Creative Link aims to support artists’ professional development and young citizens’ participation in cultural activities to foster social cohesion and spark innovative ways of thinking about democracy.

Enhancing youth’s creativity and citizenship to rethink and reimagine democracy

By introducing and capacitating Rwandan/Great Lake artists with new skills to creatively address global democratic challenges, by creating a space for knowledge and practices exchange between European and Rwanda/GL artists, and facilitating children and youth’s participation in this agora, the Creative Link partners will actively support emerging art-based education and arts for young audience development in Rwanda, it will equally support youth-led and community-driven public debate and innovative ways to explore the link between citizenship and democracy in Central Africa and Europe where democracy is at risk.

Alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 4, Quality Education: The project aims to improve the skills and professional development of Rwandan and European artists by facilitating their engagement with young people. By offering artistic workshops and training, the project promotes quality, inclusive, and equitable education. The empowerment of 750 children and youth through cultural activities contributes to their understanding of cultural rights and civic responsibilities, thereby improving the quality of and access to education.
• SDG 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth: Strengthening artistic collaborations can open new opportunities for artists and foster economic growth in the creative sector. By equipping artists with new skills and tools, the project supports the development of sustainable livelihoods in the arts sector.
• SDG 10, Reduce Inequalities: The project targets young people from diverse backgrounds and aims to empower them through artistic and cultural engagement, thereby helping to reduce inequalities in access to cultural resources. Engaging marginalised youth from youth centres in cultural activities strengthens their voice and facilitates their integration in the society.
• SDG 11, Sustainable Cities and Communities: By raising awareness of social issues and encouraging intergenerational dialogue, the project strengthens community resilience and inclusion, thereby contributing to sustainable urban development.
• SDG 16, Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The project's focus on civic education and democratic processes is aligned with the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all. By developing critical thinking and an understanding of civic responsibility among youth and artists, the project encourages active citizenship and strengthens democratic values.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: By fostering new partnerships, the project demonstrates the importance of cross-regional and cultural collaborations in addressing global challenges.