Announcement
Hür Adalar (Sovereign Isles) is an artist residency program offering short-term, collaborative living and working experiences for artists and researchers. Taking place in a shared home studio, the program fosters experimentation, dialogue, and early-stage project development. Its name reflects a vision of economically sovereign creative spaces within the global economy. Residents are encouraged to test new ideas and engage with others in unmediated, process-based ways. Focused on artistic research and self-publishing, Hür Adalar emphasises collective living as a means of cultivating direct engagement between creators and their audiences.
https://www.instagram.com/hur.adalar.press/
Ritual Theater and Creativity Laboratory, established in 2020, explores social issues through theatre across Azerbaijan. Its four departments engage diverse communities in documentary and social theatre, publishing, and digital experimentation. The Documentary Theatre Department stages performances based on local research. The Social Theatre Department runs workshops with women and youth outside Baku. Educational materials are developed through the Publishing Department. The Digitalisation Department integrates VR, AR, and AI into art-making and social storytelling. The organisation fosters inclusive cultural dialogue through both traditional and tech-based approaches.
https://www.ritualteatr.az/en
https://www.instagram.com/ritualtheater/?hl=en
Orta Okul is a nomadic, multilingual art education platform focused on educational justice and community-led cultural production. Built from industrial pipes and mounted on a bike trailer, it serves as a mobile classroom, gallery, and meeting space. Programs are co-created with communities based on local needs and lived experiences. Challenging institutional norms, Orta Okul offers inclusive alternatives for those excluded by class, language, ability, or migration status. It reclaims public space and reimagines learning through a radical, anti-institutional pedagogy. Orta Okul stands as both a structure and a statement of cultural resistance and collective empowerment.
http://ortaokul.info
The Coalition of the Independent Cultural Sector (CSCI) is a national platform uniting autonomous cultural organisations and initiatives across Moldova. As an umbrella body, it advocates for cultural policy reform, sectoral development, and civic engagement. CSCI supports dialogue with public institutions, conducts research, leads awareness campaigns, and builds networks of solidarity. Legally established in 2021, the Coalition includes 15 politically independent NGOs committed to cultural freedom and cooperation. It plays a central role in strengthening Moldova’s independent cultural landscape at both national and international levels.
https://culturaindependenta.md/
New East is a cultural NGO based in Daugavpils, Latvia, working across art, media, education, and civic engagement. It reimagines Eastern Europe through critical pedagogy, collective creativity, and grassroots storytelling. With over 1,500 interventions—including theatre, hackathons, and media labs—New East has engaged more than 50,000 people across borders. Its venue in a post-industrial area functions as a cultural lab for performances, workshops, and exhibitions. The organisation supports emerging artists and activists, prioritising youth and marginalised communities. New East champions inclusive, participatory cultural practices across Europe and beyond.
http://neweasteurope.com
Founded in 2019 in Diyarbakır, KASED is a women’s association that advocates for cultural access in native languages and promotes gender equality in the arts. The organisation supports women artists and challenges gender-based discrimination through diverse cultural programming. Activities include workshops, concerts, festivals, and seminars in music, folk dance, visual arts, and literature. KASED collaborates with independent artists, institutions, and NGOs to build inclusive cultural spaces rooted in solidarity. By centring local language and identity, KASED strengthens both community engagement and cultural participation for women and children in the region.
https://kasedd.org/
mezopArt is an independent artist initiative founded in 2017 to promote intercultural dialogue and artistic collaboration across borders. Operating nomadically, it co-creates exhibitions, performances, and participatory events in partnership with artists from diverse backgrounds. The initiative explores themes such as migration, collective memory, and gender equity. Highlights include the exhibition Can Not Unsee and collaborative events with Salt Galata, Arthere Istanbul, and Impact Hub. By bridging disciplines and geographies, mezopArt provides a platform for plural expression and shared artistic narratives that challenge boundaries and connect communities.
https://www.instagram.com/mezopart/
Jetz is a non-profit art collective integrating visual arts, scientific inquiry, and civil society engagement to support rights-based advocacy in Turkey. Founded in 2020, it brings together makers from diverse disciplines addressing urgent social and ecological issues. Jetz produces exhibitions, research-driven projects, workshops, and community-oriented works, led by a volunteer team of artists and researchers. In 2023, the collective launched jetz.space, a digital platform that extends access to their artistic and activist interventions, including films, writings, interviews, and public workshops. Jetz fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and artistic activism at the intersection of art, science, and society.
https://jetz.space
https://www.instagram.com/jetz.space/
PLATFORM by GAPO is a networking initiative that connects emerging and mid-career photographers from Turkey with international cultural professionals. Launched in 2021, it supports photographers through portfolio development, editorial mentoring, and access to open calls for grants, residencies, and festivals. Rooted in GAPO’s 25-year legacy as an independent curatorial body, the platform fosters visibility and exchange within the global photography community. With 22 affiliated photographers, it continues to expand through an upcoming online database connecting artists, institutions, and publishers. PLATFORM promotes contemporary photographic practice in Turkey through sustained, collaborative networks.
http://platform.gapo.org
House! Society for people and places is a cultural association and social enterprise based in Maribor, Slovenia, dedicated to urban and social revitalisation. Through collaborative programming in arts, culture, and education, it connects residents, artists, businesses, and institutions. Its initiatives promote sustainability, inclusivity, and creative tourism. Projects like The Living Courtyards, Rajzefiber, Lumina, and the Printmaking Arts Centre foster civic participation and community pride. House! has led numerous national and European programs (Creative Europe, EU Heritage Days) and continues to build long-term, high-impact partnerships that transform public spaces and enrich cultural life.
https://www.rajzefiber.si/o-drustvu/drustvo/
Shareradio is a Milan-based web radio promoting social cohesion through participatory media since 2009. Operating in underserved neighbourhoods, it engages youth, schools, and vulnerable groups through citizen journalism and media education. With 25 local editorial offices, Shareradio contributes to urban regeneration and community-based projects. Its recent initiative, Solar Vibes CARGO FLOTTA, features solar-powered cargo bikes used for street workshops, festivals, and educational events. Combining sustainability, creativity, and activism, these mobile hubs demonstrate how low-carbon tools can drive social innovation and neighbourhood connection.
https://www.shareradio.it/
Cotranspose is a grassroots cultural organisation based in North Evros, Greece, committed to revitalising rural areas through cultural engagement. It transforms disused spaces into hubs for creativity, education, and social connection. Guided by radical inclusivity and collective participation, Cotranspose builds bridges between diverse communities. Activities include workshops, residencies, and festivals co-created with local residents. With support from an international network of artists and educators, it fosters resilience, accessibility, and belonging. Cotranspose works to democratise cultural participation and nurture sustainable cultural ecosystems in peripheral regions.
https://www.cotranspose.com/
Şanowan is a theatre stage established in 2016 by many artists, especially theatre actors and musicians, who were dismissed from their jobs in municipalities by the trustees appointed to Kurdish cities. The theatre serves as a stage where all marginalised artists who cannot express themselves and come together with the audience in the city, especially Kurdish theatre, can exhibit their productions. Since 2016, 10 plays, mainly women's and children's plays, have been staged. In 2020, it was transformed into a versatile stage in order to be a stage used by all the facets of the city, and it was transformed into a stage that can be used for institutional activities such as conferences, panels, workshops as well as artistic activities such as cinema, music, dance.
https://www.instagram.com/sanowan_?igsh=MWprNWU1Mnh1dnl2MQ==
Neuer Wiener Diwan (NWD), founded in 2007, promotes Vienna’s transcultural richness through interdisciplinary and multilingual artistic programming. It organises inclusive cultural events highlighting the diverse heritage of Vienna’s communities, particularly from Turkey, Kurdistan, Armenia, Greece, and beyond. NWD provides a rare platform for underrepresented cultures, ensuring equal access to arts and culture through free public programming. By connecting different cultural narratives, it fosters social cohesion and creative exchange. NWD remains the only initiative in Vienna with a regular focus on the region’s Turkish-speaking and diasporic communities.
https://neuerwienerdiwan.com/
Neformalaus Ugdymo ir Konsultacijų Centras "Prosperis" is a Lithuanian non-profit organisation promoting cultural transformation, social inclusion, and community empowerment through the arts. Its activities combine participatory theatre, trauma-informed approaches, and civic dialogue. The organisation works with refugees, youth, educators, and local authorities to foster empathy and shared reflection. Key initiatives include Playback Theatre performances, training programs, intercultural residencies, and international artistic collaborations. With a strong presence in Lithuania and active partnerships in Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic region, Prosperis plays a vital role in creating inclusive narratives and sustainable cross-border cooperation.
https://www.facebook.com/NUKCProsperis
The Cultural and Social Narratives Laboratory is an NGO dedicated to promoting regional dialogue through arts and culture. Its work focuses on reclaiming civic space, supporting artistic freedom, and fostering transnational collaboration. Past projects, such as “Balat: Living Together,” engaged researchers from Armenia, Turkey, and Greece, culminating in a book on multicultural coexistence. The organisation collaborates with regional CSOs, including Hafıza Merkezi and the Hrant Dink Foundation. In joining the VAHA network, it aims to share strategies for resilience and strengthen inclusive cultural practices across Europe.
https://csnlab.net
Transnational Networking Meeting participants selected
28.07.2025
We are pleased to announce that 16 organisations from the Council of Europe (CoE) and Turkey, who will meet the 8 VAHA hubs from both CoE and Turkey, have been selected for the Transnational Networking Meeting in Prishtina between 10-14 September 2025.
The third round of the VAHA programme started with an open call in December 2024 for local hubs to develop regional cultural programming activities that engage with the public. Selected hubs are currently implemeting their local programming. The new cultural actors are going to join us at the Transnational Network Meeting in Prishtina to share experiences, network, and potentially develop further exchanges.
A warm welcome for joining the VAHA network goes to;
The third round of the VAHA programme started with an open call in December 2024 for local hubs to develop regional cultural programming activities that engage with the public. Selected hubs are currently implemeting their local programming. The new cultural actors are going to join us at the Transnational Network Meeting in Prishtina to share experiences, network, and potentially develop further exchanges.
A warm welcome for joining the VAHA network goes to;
Antalya - Turkey
Hür Adalar (Sovereign Isles) is an artist residency program offering short-term, collaborative living and working experiences for artists and researchers. Taking place in a shared home studio, the program fosters experimentation, dialogue, and early-stage project development. Its name reflects a vision of economically sovereign creative spaces within the global economy. Residents are encouraged to test new ideas and engage with others in unmediated, process-based ways. Focused on artistic research and self-publishing, Hür Adalar emphasises collective living as a means of cultivating direct engagement between creators and their audiences.https://www.instagram.com/hur.adalar.press/
Baku- Azerbaijan
Ritual Theater and Creativity Laboratory, established in 2020, explores social issues through theatre across Azerbaijan. Its four departments engage diverse communities in documentary and social theatre, publishing, and digital experimentation. The Documentary Theatre Department stages performances based on local research. The Social Theatre Department runs workshops with women and youth outside Baku. Educational materials are developed through the Publishing Department. The Digitalisation Department integrates VR, AR, and AI into art-making and social storytelling. The organisation fosters inclusive cultural dialogue through both traditional and tech-based approaches.https://www.ritualteatr.az/en
https://www.instagram.com/ritualtheater/?hl=en
Berlin - Germany
Orta Okul is a nomadic, multilingual art education platform focused on educational justice and community-led cultural production. Built from industrial pipes and mounted on a bike trailer, it serves as a mobile classroom, gallery, and meeting space. Programs are co-created with communities based on local needs and lived experiences. Challenging institutional norms, Orta Okul offers inclusive alternatives for those excluded by class, language, ability, or migration status. It reclaims public space and reimagines learning through a radical, anti-institutional pedagogy. Orta Okul stands as both a structure and a statement of cultural resistance and collective empowerment.http://ortaokul.info
Chisinau - Moldova
The Coalition of the Independent Cultural Sector (CSCI) is a national platform uniting autonomous cultural organisations and initiatives across Moldova. As an umbrella body, it advocates for cultural policy reform, sectoral development, and civic engagement. CSCI supports dialogue with public institutions, conducts research, leads awareness campaigns, and builds networks of solidarity. Legally established in 2021, the Coalition includes 15 politically independent NGOs committed to cultural freedom and cooperation. It plays a central role in strengthening Moldova’s independent cultural landscape at both national and international levels.https://culturaindependenta.md/
Daugavpils - Latvia
New East is a cultural NGO based in Daugavpils, Latvia, working across art, media, education, and civic engagement. It reimagines Eastern Europe through critical pedagogy, collective creativity, and grassroots storytelling. With over 1,500 interventions—including theatre, hackathons, and media labs—New East has engaged more than 50,000 people across borders. Its venue in a post-industrial area functions as a cultural lab for performances, workshops, and exhibitions. The organisation supports emerging artists and activists, prioritising youth and marginalised communities. New East champions inclusive, participatory cultural practices across Europe and beyond.http://neweasteurope.com
Diyarbakır - Turkey
Founded in 2019 in Diyarbakır, KASED is a women’s association that advocates for cultural access in native languages and promotes gender equality in the arts. The organisation supports women artists and challenges gender-based discrimination through diverse cultural programming. Activities include workshops, concerts, festivals, and seminars in music, folk dance, visual arts, and literature. KASED collaborates with independent artists, institutions, and NGOs to build inclusive cultural spaces rooted in solidarity. By centring local language and identity, KASED strengthens both community engagement and cultural participation for women and children in the region.https://kasedd.org/
Istanbul - Turkey
mezopArt is an independent artist initiative founded in 2017 to promote intercultural dialogue and artistic collaboration across borders. Operating nomadically, it co-creates exhibitions, performances, and participatory events in partnership with artists from diverse backgrounds. The initiative explores themes such as migration, collective memory, and gender equity. Highlights include the exhibition Can Not Unsee and collaborative events with Salt Galata, Arthere Istanbul, and Impact Hub. By bridging disciplines and geographies, mezopArt provides a platform for plural expression and shared artistic narratives that challenge boundaries and connect communities.https://www.instagram.com/mezopart/
Istanbul – Turkey
Jetz is a non-profit art collective integrating visual arts, scientific inquiry, and civil society engagement to support rights-based advocacy in Turkey. Founded in 2020, it brings together makers from diverse disciplines addressing urgent social and ecological issues. Jetz produces exhibitions, research-driven projects, workshops, and community-oriented works, led by a volunteer team of artists and researchers. In 2023, the collective launched jetz.space, a digital platform that extends access to their artistic and activist interventions, including films, writings, interviews, and public workshops. Jetz fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and artistic activism at the intersection of art, science, and society.https://jetz.space
https://www.instagram.com/jetz.space/
Istanbul - Turkey
PLATFORM by GAPO is a networking initiative that connects emerging and mid-career photographers from Turkey with international cultural professionals. Launched in 2021, it supports photographers through portfolio development, editorial mentoring, and access to open calls for grants, residencies, and festivals. Rooted in GAPO’s 25-year legacy as an independent curatorial body, the platform fosters visibility and exchange within the global photography community. With 22 affiliated photographers, it continues to expand through an upcoming online database connecting artists, institutions, and publishers. PLATFORM promotes contemporary photographic practice in Turkey through sustained, collaborative networks.http://platform.gapo.org
Maribor - Slovenia
House! Society for people and places is a cultural association and social enterprise based in Maribor, Slovenia, dedicated to urban and social revitalisation. Through collaborative programming in arts, culture, and education, it connects residents, artists, businesses, and institutions. Its initiatives promote sustainability, inclusivity, and creative tourism. Projects like The Living Courtyards, Rajzefiber, Lumina, and the Printmaking Arts Centre foster civic participation and community pride. House! has led numerous national and European programs (Creative Europe, EU Heritage Days) and continues to build long-term, high-impact partnerships that transform public spaces and enrich cultural life.https://www.rajzefiber.si/o-drustvu/drustvo/
Milan - Italy
Shareradio is a Milan-based web radio promoting social cohesion through participatory media since 2009. Operating in underserved neighbourhoods, it engages youth, schools, and vulnerable groups through citizen journalism and media education. With 25 local editorial offices, Shareradio contributes to urban regeneration and community-based projects. Its recent initiative, Solar Vibes CARGO FLOTTA, features solar-powered cargo bikes used for street workshops, festivals, and educational events. Combining sustainability, creativity, and activism, these mobile hubs demonstrate how low-carbon tools can drive social innovation and neighbourhood connection.https://www.shareradio.it/
Orestiada - Greece
Cotranspose is a grassroots cultural organisation based in North Evros, Greece, committed to revitalising rural areas through cultural engagement. It transforms disused spaces into hubs for creativity, education, and social connection. Guided by radical inclusivity and collective participation, Cotranspose builds bridges between diverse communities. Activities include workshops, residencies, and festivals co-created with local residents. With support from an international network of artists and educators, it fosters resilience, accessibility, and belonging. Cotranspose works to democratise cultural participation and nurture sustainable cultural ecosystems in peripheral regions.https://www.cotranspose.com/
Van - Turkey
Şanowan is a theatre stage established in 2016 by many artists, especially theatre actors and musicians, who were dismissed from their jobs in municipalities by the trustees appointed to Kurdish cities. The theatre serves as a stage where all marginalised artists who cannot express themselves and come together with the audience in the city, especially Kurdish theatre, can exhibit their productions. Since 2016, 10 plays, mainly women's and children's plays, have been staged. In 2020, it was transformed into a versatile stage in order to be a stage used by all the facets of the city, and it was transformed into a stage that can be used for institutional activities such as conferences, panels, workshops as well as artistic activities such as cinema, music, dance.https://www.instagram.com/sanowan_?igsh=MWprNWU1Mnh1dnl2MQ==
Vienna - Austria
Neuer Wiener Diwan (NWD), founded in 2007, promotes Vienna’s transcultural richness through interdisciplinary and multilingual artistic programming. It organises inclusive cultural events highlighting the diverse heritage of Vienna’s communities, particularly from Turkey, Kurdistan, Armenia, Greece, and beyond. NWD provides a rare platform for underrepresented cultures, ensuring equal access to arts and culture through free public programming. By connecting different cultural narratives, it fosters social cohesion and creative exchange. NWD remains the only initiative in Vienna with a regular focus on the region’s Turkish-speaking and diasporic communities.https://neuerwienerdiwan.com/
Visaginas - Lithuania
Neformalaus Ugdymo ir Konsultacijų Centras "Prosperis" is a Lithuanian non-profit organisation promoting cultural transformation, social inclusion, and community empowerment through the arts. Its activities combine participatory theatre, trauma-informed approaches, and civic dialogue. The organisation works with refugees, youth, educators, and local authorities to foster empathy and shared reflection. Key initiatives include Playback Theatre performances, training programs, intercultural residencies, and international artistic collaborations. With a strong presence in Lithuania and active partnerships in Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic region, Prosperis plays a vital role in creating inclusive narratives and sustainable cross-border cooperation.https://www.facebook.com/NUKCProsperis
Yerevan - Armenia
The Cultural and Social Narratives Laboratory is an NGO dedicated to promoting regional dialogue through arts and culture. Its work focuses on reclaiming civic space, supporting artistic freedom, and fostering transnational collaboration. Past projects, such as “Balat: Living Together,” engaged researchers from Armenia, Turkey, and Greece, culminating in a book on multicultural coexistence. The organisation collaborates with regional CSOs, including Hafıza Merkezi and the Hrant Dink Foundation. In joining the VAHA network, it aims to share strategies for resilience and strengthen inclusive cultural practices across Europe.https://csnlab.net
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