Alpine Changemaker Network

In the Alpine region, traditional practices and local knowledge contribute to sustainable lifestyles. Global challenges such as the climate crisis require innovative solutions that build on these traditions, rather than replacing them. The Erasmus+ project Alpine Changemaker Network aims to create a network that not only respects local heritage but also translates it into modern approaches to ecological and social resilience.

The project partners are small arts, cultural and educational organisations from the Alpine region that draw on these local traditions and develop innovative prototypes. These are tested in the project and adapted for educational organisations. The aim is to anchor arts and culture-based approaches to ecological and social justice more firmly in the mainstream.

In addition, a seven-day base camp will take place in Rovereto/I in June 2027. It will consist of two parts: the first is an “executive school” that brings together actors from the fields of public administration, regional development and small organisations in the arts and culture sector. Together they will develop creative solutions for future collaborations. The second part is a “summer school”, where 20 representatives of small Alpine arts and culture organisations learn from each other and explore ways to improve cooperation with the public administration. Both parts of the base camp will overlap so as to strengthen mutual understanding of the Alpine future.

The project also includes new meeting and collaboration formats (“assemblies”), as well as coaching services, webinars and workshops for artists and cultural professionals from small organisations in the Alpine region. These will strengthen the organisations, prevent self-overload, promote networking and mutual support, and expand their management and acquisition skills.

These activities are based on various previous projects and CIPRA's networking with the Alpine Changemaker Network from 2019 to 2023.

Duration
1 December 2025 to 30 November 2028

Objectives

• Promotion of cross-sectoral learning
• Establishment of a network for knowledge transfer and mutual support among small organisations in the arts and culture sector in the Alpine region
• Development of innovative methods and training courses for eco-social resilience
• Raising awareness for eco-social change
• Transferring practices of eco-social change to civil society and public institutions

Activities

• A base camp with arts and cultural organisations and students for exchanges with representatives from administrations, politics and science
• Creation and dissemination of four prototypes for eco-social change, based on local traditions
• Workshops, webinars and training courses for small arts, cultural, design and educational organisations on funding strategies and project management, as well as on promoting a sustainable work culture
• Webinar series on relevant EU policies
• “Assemblies” for exchanges, support and networking with organisations from across the Alpine region 

Partners

• CIPRA International – project management (Schaan/LI)
• Openspace Innsbruck – Association for the Promotion of Everyday Culture (Innsbruck/A)
• BASIS Vinschgau Venosta (Silandro/I)
• La Foresta – Accademia di Comunità (Rovereto/I)
• BAU – Società Cooperativa (Bolzano/I)
• Lungomare – Società Cooperativa impresa sociale ETS (Bolzano/I)
• Associated partners: Somalgors74, Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management (ANL), EURAC Research - Institute for Regional Development, Centre for Mental Health in Rovereto, Alto Mare cooperative from Silandro

Funding

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.