The programme was launched in the beginning of the summer of 2021. During the open call were received 56 eligible applications and unique project ideas from ten countries. The selected projects involve different target groups such as hearing-impaired persons, adults and healthcare professionals with mental disorder, cancer patients, pupils, homeless people and others. Each project will use its own methodology to demonstrate the impact on the target group, like dance, storytelling, photography, forum theatre and others.

Programme participants will receive funding for pilot projects, the opportunity to participate in knowledge-based workshops, mentoring support and onsite visits. The participants will receive support to establish a community and a peer-to-peer network that will remain in place and function after the programme ends.

Independent experts will follow and analyse the process of the project and sum up the conclusions in the form of a toolkit. We aim to offer lessons learned from the pilot projects to those working in the field.

Funded projects:

Darni Socialineraida Enabling the Integration of People with Intellectual Disabilities and Mental Disorders into Society through the Forum Theatre Methodology, Lithuania.
Galerija propaganda BETTER, Poland.
Irene F.Arcas Stimuli, Germany.
ISSP (International Sumer School of Photography) Creatively Feeling: an Artful Approach to Mental Health & Healing, Latvia.
Karjeras konsultacijas The Beauty of Self-Mercy and Life, Latvia.
Karlstad University Dance for People with Parkinson’s Disease (PD): Understanding its Underlying Mechanisms through Functional MRI, Sweden.
Panevezys City Municipality Administration CREATIVE HOME(less), Lithuania.
Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art Let´s sign the art, Latvia.

The Art of Staying Healthy programme is a part of the joint project between NDPHS, NDPC and EUNIC “Support to the NDPC”, co-funded by the European Commission.