Collaboration in a Challenging World
About
An international forum for shared resilience, creative innovation, and cross-sector cultural development.
Background
Launched during the 19th edition of the European Music Day (EMD) in 2018, Collaboration in a Challenging World was conceived as a strategic umbrella initiative designed to foster resilience, inclusion, and long-term cooperation across Europe’s cultural and creative sectors. The forum responded to the need for meaningful collaboration between artistic communities, policymakers, VET institutions, and cultural entrepreneurs working in socially and economically challenged environments.
The initiative brought together multiple EU-funded projects (Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Grundtvig, Lifelong Learning) and networks, to create a unified dialogue between disciplines, sectors, and public actors.
MESO’s Role
As the national coordinator of the European Music Day and initiator of the forum, MESO curated, hosted, and facilitated all gatherings, working sessions, and pilot events. MESO’s extensive network enabled the synchronization of multiple project timelines and stakeholders into a single, highly visible public framework.
MESO also:
- Convened the opening and closing roundtables
- Coordinated 3 working group sessions & 2 international roundtables
- Enabled parallel live events (Chios, Eleusis2021, Athens)
- Facilitated the formulation of a shared agenda (2019–2021)
Key Activities
- 3 International Roundtables (policy, VET, CCI innovation)
- NIMPE Music Factory national seminars
- CCLEP Live Events Professionals meeting
- SYMANSIS Lab co-presented under the initiative
- Live music events in Athens, Chios, and Eleusis
- Common Agenda Meeting for future cooperation (2019–2021)
Key Partners & Contributors
- European Live Music Association (ELMA)
- European Music Day Association Network
- University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI – Scotland)
- ECLEE – European Center for Leadership & Entrepreneurship Education (FR/SEN)
- Djagora University (Senegal)
- Cultural Foundation of Piraeus Bank Group (GR)
- Eleusis 2021 – European Capital of Culture
- Technopolis City of Athens – Innovathens Hub
- Ministry of Culture & Sports (GR)
- Attica Regional Government & OPANDA
- IAMIC (International Association of Music Information Centres)
Achievements
- Joint Roundtables & Webinars on cultural innovation, youth resilience, and music sector mapping
- Workshops & Labs in Eleusis (e.g. SYMANSIS Resilience Lab for youth & refugees)
- Live Showcase Events across Athens, Eleusis, and Chios
- Cross-network Coordination Meetings among 7 different EU projects
- Kickoff of a multi-project matrix agenda for 2019–2021
These activities bridged public institutions, EU consortia, and local communities to generate new models of cooperation and inclusive cultural development.
Legacy and Impact
- Strengthened regional cultural cooperation around youth, social cohesion, and innovation
- Piloted a networked model of cultural clustering, inspiring new initiatives (e.g. EURICCA Corp & NIMPE)
- Created lasting alliances across public bodies, cultural platforms, and educational actors
- Delivered a powerful demonstration of music as a tool for civic engagement, policy experimentation, and cross-border solidarity
