Creative Connections Norway

Hjem
Norge
Balestrand
Creative Connections Norway

Creative Connections Norway (CCN) is established in 2018 in Balestrand.

At the heart of CCN's mission lies its unique approach known as "ARTicipation," which harnesses the power of artistic expression to promote inclusion and active participation.

25/07/2026

For four days, from 15–18 June, the partners of the ARTicipation for Inclusion project gathered in Balestrand, Norway, for our final management and evaluation meeting.

Together, we reviewed the work packages, project results, documentation and impact. We also reflected on more than two years of collaboration: hundreds of young people involved, four artistic methods tested, educational resources created and a learning platform developed.

We discussed the lessons learned, the challenges we faced and how the methods and resources created through the project can continue to support youth workers and young people after the project ends.

We are grateful to all our partners for their dedication, creativity and cooperation throughout this journey—and for the meaningful days we shared beside the Sognefjord. 💙

🇪🇺 Co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme.

Balestrand Sognefjord

25/07/2026

Peer Learning 2 – Visual & Performative Arts for Creative Youth Workshops
📍 Balestrand & Luster, Norway
📅 4–29 May 2026

For almost a month, artists, youth workers and educators from across Europe came together for an inspiring Erasmus+ Peer Learning mobility dedicated to visual and performative arts.

Together we explored street art, circus, handicrafts and creative facilitation, learning directly from one another through shared practice, reflection and experimentation. The focus was not only on artistic techniques, but on how creativity can help build inclusive, engaging and meaningful learning environments for children and young people.

The mobility took place in two parts:
✨ Part 1: 4–15 May 2026
✨ Part 2: 21–29 May 2026

A special thank you to our participants:

🇷🇴 Moena Corina Maria – Art Fusion, Romania
🇸🇪 Natalie Oleinik – FTS, Sweden
🇳🇱 Liselore Frowijn – Eastpackers, Netherlands
🇳🇴 Tuba Ardic – Creative Connections Norway
🇳🇴 Mari Stoknes – Creative Connections Norway
🇳🇴 Estelle Bourdet – Creative Connections Norway

We would also like to thank Luster Mikromakeri for their valuable cooperation and for hosting part of the peer learning process. Collaborating with local creative organisations strengthens the connection between international learning and local communities, making the experience richer for everyone involved.

New ideas were shared. New partnerships were built. New inspiration was taken home.

Thank you to everyone who made this Erasmus+ mobility a space for creativity, generosity and collaboration. We look forward to seeing these ideas grow into new workshops and opportunities for young people across Europe.

Creativity becomes even stronger when it is shared.

25/07/2026

The Joy of Writing Funding Proposals ✨
Balestrand, Norway
9–14 March 2026

Another inspiring Erasmus+ training course has come to an end!

For six days, youth workers and NGO professionals from across Europe gathered in Balestrand to strengthen one of the most valuable skills in international youth work: turning ideas into funded projects. The course focused on understanding European funding programmes, developing project concepts, building realistic budgets, and gaining the confidence to write stronger funding proposals through practical exercises and real case studies.

Writing a project proposal is much more than completing an application form. It is about identifying real needs, creating meaningful partnerships, and designing initiatives that can have a lasting impact on young people and local communities.

Erasmus+ continues to create spaces where people learn from each other, build international networks, and return home with new knowledge, fresh motivation, and future collaborations.

A huge thank you to all participants, trainers, and partner organisations for your energy, generosity, and willingness to share your experiences. We can't wait to see the projects that will grow from the ideas planted this week.

Until the next Erasmus+ adventure! 💙💛

25/07/2026

Rehearsal for Life – Completed ✨
3-12 November 2025
Balestrand, Norway

Ten unforgettable days have come to an end, but the learning journey is only just beginning.

Together with youth workers, trainers and changemakers from across Europe, we explored the powerful methods of Theatre of the Oppressed—using Image Theatre, Forum Theatre and participatory learning to reflect, question and create new possibilities for social change. The training was designed to strengthen youth workers' capacity to use these methods to empower young people facing different forms of oppression.

Erasmus+ is so much more than mobility. It creates spaces where people from different cultures meet, learn from one another, challenge their perspectives and build lifelong friendships. It reminds us that education can be creative, inclusive and deeply human.

We are grateful to every participant who brought their courage, openness, laughter and stories to Balestrand. You transformed our Art Factory into a space of trust, reflection and hope.

As Augusto Boal said:
"We must all do theatre – to find out who we are, and to discover who we could become."

Thank you for rehearsing a better future with us. ❤️

06/07/2026

Behind every finished project are lessons, challenges, and growth. We’re proud to share our free learning platform with practical resources, videos, and creative methods for inclusion.

Have a look and let us know what you think!

ARTICIPATION; art for inclusion

https://artforinclusion.com

07/06/2026

What if young people could step into someone else’s shoes for a day?

Through ARTicipation for Inclusion, we explored LARP (Live Action Role Play) as a powerful tool for learning, empathy, and emotional well-being. LARP invites participants to enter a story, take on a role, and experience situations from different perspectives. It creates a safe space to explore emotions, relationships, challenges, and choices in a creative and engaging way.

For many young people, LARP can strengthen self-confidence, communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, and a sense of belonging. It transforms learning from something we talk about into something we live. The ARTicipation project uses LARP alongside other artistic methods to support the emotional well-being and inclusion of young people.

🎭 Curious to learn more?

Visit our learning platform, discover the LARP tutorial, and explore how this method can be used with different age groups and communities. We hope it inspires you to create meaningful experiences for the young people around you.

https://artforinclusion.com/land-art/

01/06/2026

Why is art in the street important?

Art belongs to everyone. When we bring creativity out of galleries and into streets, parks, schools, and public spaces, we create opportunities for people to stop, reflect, connect, and start conversations.

Street art installations can transform forgotten places into spaces of meaning. They invite participation, encourage dialogue, and help communities express their stories, hopes, and concerns. In our ARTicipation for Inclusion project, we use art installations as a tool to strengthen belonging, emotional well-being, and social inclusion among young people. Art becomes more than something we look at it becomes something we experience together.

Every installation asks a question:
✨ What do we value?
✨ How do we care for our communities?
✨ How can we imagine a better future together?

Art in public spaces reminds us that creativity is not reserved for a few it is a resource for all.

https://artforinclusion.com

31/05/2026

One colourful week has come to an end.

Over the past days, youth workers, artists, and educators from different countries came together in Balestrand to explore creativity through ebru, ceramics, collage, land art, installation art, mindfulness, and reflection.

We learned new methods, but perhaps more importantly, we explored what these methods do to us. We reflected on the connection between creativity, the brain, emotions, and personal growth. We slowed down, listened, observed, created, and gave ourselves space to experience the process rather than rushing towards results.

The weather gave us many rainy days, but our week was full of colours colours in our artworks, colours in our conversations, and colours in the different perspectives we shared.

Thank you to everyone who brought their curiosity, openness, and creativity to this journey. We leave with new tools, new connections, and new inspiration to bring back to our communities.

✨ Creativity grows when we give it time, space, and attention. ✨

22/05/2026

Land Art is a creative method that invites people to connect with nature, work together and create using natural materials

Through this tutorial, we share how Land Art can be used in creative work with different groups and ages supporting reflection, cooperation, presence and emotional expression.

Watch the tutorial video and explore the method step by step.

Visit our learning platform to learn more about Land Art and the other artistic methods developed through ARTicipation for Inclusion:
https://artforinclusion.com/

Learn, create and spread the inspiration

21/05/2026

Land Art invites us to slow down and connect with nature.

Using leaves, stones, branches, flowers and natural materials, participants create temporary artworks directly in the landscape.

In our project, we explored how Land Art can support:
✨ presence and mindfulness
✨ cooperation and reflection
✨ emotional expression and connection to place

We believe this is a simple and powerful method that can be adapted for all ages and many different groups.

Visit our learning platform to explore more methods, experiences and tutorials:
https://artforinclusion.com/

Learn, create and share the inspiration

Adresse

Balestrand

Nettsted

https://www.ciderhuset.no/artprojects

Varslinger

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