Upgrade – Connect – Reach Out
2017 – 2021 | Supported by the EU Creative Europe Programme under the strand for network projects with up to 250.000€ per year.
The project aims at strengthening the network of the European Choral Association – Europa Cantat, offering capacity building and developing new (digital) tools, cooperating with other players in the sector of Collective Singing and enlarging the scope of the network and reaching out beyond the sector.
The project
This funding will not only benefit the 60 member associations in 29 countries and the several hundred member choirs and individual members of the Association, but also the 2,5 Million people it reaches through its network, as well as the 37 Million singers practicing Collective Singing in Europe. By raising the awareness for the sector among the non-singing Europeans, it will contribute to increasing the number of participants in this art form.
The action plan of the project is developed under three keywords:
UPGRADE
The project aims at developing and strengthening the network, offering capacity building for conductors, composers, singers and staff to help them internationalize their careers. The association will develop new (digital) tools for conductors and managers, help national organisations to internationalize their activities, with the aim of diversifying the countries involved. The communication tools and methods of the network will be developed to reach out to a wider audience.
CONNECT
ECA-EC is aiming to cooperate with other players in the sector of Collective Singing, involving more (professional) individuals, cooperating with specialized organisations and enlarging the geographical scope of the network.
We will foster inclusive activities (cross-generational, cross-genre, trans-cultural, etc.), implement cooperation strategies to reach far beyond the current network and further connect the amazing diversity of collective singing practices.
REACH OUT
Finally, the association wishes to reach out beyond the sector, encouraging cross-sectorial cooperation including cooperation with other European networks, reaching out to people who are not singing (yet), collecting research on the benefits of Collective Singing and promoting these benefits.
Developed over two years in tight cooperation with the membership, on the basis of needs analysis, the project “Upgrade – Connect – Reach out: Raising Awareness for Collective Singing in Europe” will run from September 2017 to August 2021.
Over these four years, the focus of the association will be to build a resilient and sustainable model for the future of the network. A more detailed action plan will be published later in 2017.
