A dynamic international consortium led by the Cluj Cultural Centre and joined by seven partners across Europe has officially launched the CARE – Culture for Mental Health project this month. This innovative initiative harnesses the transformative power of arts and cultural participation to improve mental health and well-being across Europe.
Addressing a Mental Health Crisis
With over 85 million EU citizens affected by mental health challenges, CARE responds to a pressing societal need by exploring and leveraging the untapped potential of culture and the arts to foster well-being. The project aims to offer structural and individual solutions, using cultural participation as a catalyst for health promotion, resilience, and social inclusion. This cross-sector collaboration involves artistic, health, educational, and business experts.
“Project CARE is more than just an initiative; it is a movement that aims to put culture at the center of integrated solutions for mental health and well-being. By uniting efforts across borders, we aim to cultivate healthier, happier, more connected and resilient communities.” said Rarița Zbranca, Program Director of the Cluj
A Collaborative Effort Across Borders
The CARE project is a collective endeavor of the following consortium partners:
Cluj Cultural Centre (Romania) – Project lead
European Festivals Association (Belgium)
Društvo Asociacija (Slovenia)
Culture Action Europe (Belgium)
Arts for Health Austria (Austria)
The consortium represents a broad spectrum of expertise and networks, ensuring a robust and inclusive approach to achieving the project’s goals.
Innovative Programs and Activities
CARE is designed to address critical challenges through three core activity pillars:
Learn: Offering capacity-building initiatives for arts and health professionals, including workshops, expert panels, and an Arts and Health Think Tank.
Innovate: Hosting social innovation labs focusing on youth mental health, workplace well-being, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Share: Delivering CultureForHealth Mobile Hubs across six European cities – Brussels, Cluj, Ljubljana, Vienna, Riga, and Vilnius – to promote engagement, advocacy, and cross-sector collaboration.
“The CARE project is more than just an initiative; it’s a movement to place culture at the heart of integrated solutions for mental health and well-being. By uniting efforts across borders, we aim to foster healthier, happier, more connected, and resilient communities.” said Rarița Zbranca, Programme Director of the Cluj Cultural Centre.
Expected Impact
Operating across five countries, CARE will directly engage over 1,500 individuals in participatory art activities, train more than 600 professionals, and raise awareness among an estimated one million people. Through innovative policy recommendations, toolkits, and advocacy, the project aspires to leave a lasting legacy on health and cultural policies in Europe.
To celebrate the commencement of the CARE project, a launch event took place on November 25-26 in Vienna, Austria.
CARE – Culture for Mental Health is funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, and brings together expertise from across Europe to explore the intersection of arts, culture, and mental health for a healthier future. A budget totaling 1.4 million euros will be implemented over a period of 3 years, from November 2024 to December 2027.
📷 Barbara Mair_AfHA
