Idea Camp 2017

With its focus on “Moving Communities”, the 2017 Idea Camp follows an open call for daring ideas to build societies with greater equality, sustainability and solidarity, and a stronger sense of social justice. It is about communities on the move, communities in flux and also the power of people to “move” their communities through their progressive and creative ideas.

The 2017 Idea Camp brought together 50 Idea Makers from 24 countries across Europe and its neighbouring regions. During three days, participants nurtured and up-skilled the ideas that they have developed with the ambition to counteract anti-democratic practices and bring forward voices excluded from public debate and decision-making. They worked with the support of a group of guest Idea Feeders, and Facilitators– the Hubs in the Connected Action for the Commons.

After the Idea Camp we invited the 50 Idea Makers to develop project proposals on their idea. ECF granted twenty-five of them with a research and development grant: Meet the 25 R&D Grantees and their ideas.

The programme was articulated through a number of activities, including workshops facilitated by local collectives and the Idea Camp team, idea development sessions, walks in the neighbourhood, collective discussions, meetings with local organisations.

Read our short report: Idea Camp 2017: a Common Effort in Bringing Upon a Brighter Future.

In conjunction with the Idea Camp 2017, the City of Madrid, the European Cultural Foundation and the Connected Action for the Commons have organised the Innovative City Development meeting with municipal and city officials who are working in a progressive approach on cultural and urban related issues, using participatory methods. Attendees from Poland, Spain, Moldova co-exchanged about the city as commons and also meet with the Idea Makers.

• Check the Idea Camp 2017 photographs on Flickr.
• Read Idea Camp curator Lore Gablier’s opening speech.
• Download the Moving Communities methodology, which has been designed by Platoniq, together with the Idea Camp programme team, in order to support Idea Makers transform their idea into a viable and effective project.
• Check the Media Coverage on Storify. But you might start with this report.
• In the lab Culture and Refuge in Europe everyone can share links, pieces of writing, stories, images and thoughts – collecting, connecting and discussing inspiring cultural initiatives and voices from across Europe that explore ways of living alongside each other in these changing times.
• Eurozine Focal Point: Could alternative interlocal forms of mobilisation around the commons revive solidarities and keep the prospect of a common Europe alive in an age of austerity? Read more about the new focal point, created in partnership with the ECF and Eurozine.
• The Digital Roadbook is a a platform where all Idea Makers can register their profile and ideas. It allows all participants to identify each other and to connect before, during and after the Idea Camp.
• Download the Moving Communities booklet, presenting all participants to the Idea Camp 2017, including the Idea Feeders, Facilitators & Digital storytellers, and local organisations and collectives in Madrid.