B5688 - LABORATORY OF EUROPEAN CULTURAL COOPERATION

Learning outcomes

The laboratory aims to provide students with an understanding of the European Commission cultural policies priorities and funding opportunities. Upon completion of the laboratory, students will be able to - Evaluate proposal calls aligning with EU objectives. - Identify and cultivate international partnerships. - Foster dynamic participation and ensuring impact in international projects.

Course contents

The aim of the Laboratory of European Cultural Cooperation is to encourage a critical reflection on the role of cooperation in European and international multistakeholder cultural projects and on the ways in which collaboration shapes opportunities and challenges in the cultural field.

At the end of the laboratory, students will be familiar with the main European programmes supporting cultural cooperation and will also be able to experience what it means to design and develop a project together with others.

The Laboratory of European Cultural Cooperation complements other modules focused on cultural policy and management, by offering a practical and experimental setting in which students can explore the dynamics of European collaboration. This laboratory invites students to look at cultural cooperation not only as an administrative requirement of EU funding schemes, but also as a creative and strategic process. The laboratory will equip students with practical tools to understand cooperation as the very fabric of European cultural projects: building trust, negotiating roles, and aligning diverse organizational logics and cultural identities.

The focus is on experiencing cooperation in action and practice, how cultural organizations and professionals come together to create shared projects, what kinds of practices cooperation involves on a day-to-day basis, and why networks matter as spaces for exchange, advocacy, and visibility.

Upon completion of the laboratory, you should:
● have developed an understanding of how European cultural cooperation is structured within EU funding frameworks and networks.
● be able to recognize the specific opportunities and tensions that arise when organizations from different contexts collaborate and understand the strategic role of European cultural networks and their relevance for partnership building;
● have experienced cooperative project design in practice, from reading a call to co-developing objectives, activities, and budgets; ● have strengthened your ability to engage in collaborative processes, negotiate, and critically reflect on the challenges of cultural cooperation.

Structure of the laboratory
After an initial introduction to EU cultural programmes and the policy context, the laboratory is organized in four main blocks each developed during 6 hours :

● Understanding Frameworks (theory) EU programmes, funding schemes, cultural policy priorities

● Building Cooperation (theory and practice) Reading calls, mapping funding opportunities, Identifying potential partners, defining roles, simulating partnership agreements.

● Designing Together (theory and practice) project design methodologies, Theory of Change, Logical Framework. Co-developing project objectives, work packages, deliverables, and indicators within groups

● Practicing Cooperation (practice) drafting a project with timeline and budget, simulating project implementation. Group presentations: project proposals will be presented and followed by a reflective discussion on collaboration, challenges, lessons learned.

*Not recommended for non-attending students due to the practical nature of the laboratory. Non-attending students will be provided with PowerPoint presentations and bibliography and will be required to work independently on group assignments.

Readings/Bibliography

At the end of each part of the course, the slides presented during the lectures will be made available online. The slides constitute the primary study material for the topics covered in this class.

Suggested readings:

1. European Commission (2021–2027). EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021–2027. Funding & Tenders. online
2. Culture 2024: A year of Policy Transformation, ENCATC (European Network on Cultural Management and Policy). ENCATC website.
3. Theory of Change Basics: What is it and how to use it. ActKnowledge, online. 
4. Case studies: Erasmus+, Creative Europe projects available on EU official platforms.

Teaching methods

The laboratory takes a highly practical approach, aimed at developing hands-on skills for designing and managing European cultural initiatives. Teaching methods include:

● Short lectures: Introduce key concepts, EU programmes, funding frameworks, and cooperation networks, providing the theoretical foundation to understand the context and logic of European projects.

● Group work: Collaborative activities to simulate partnerships, negotiate roles and responsibilities, discuss project strategies, and apply tools such as the Theory of Change and Logical Framework.

● Workshops / in-class exercises: Practical simulations of European project design, including the development of objectives, work packages, deliverables, and budgets. Exercises include project presentations and discussions, with direct feedback from the instructor.

● Project-based learning: Students develop a simulated project throughout the laboratory, integrating concepts, tools, and methodologies from reading calls to preparing budgets and indicators.

● Presentations and discussions: Students present group work and projects, receiving feedback from peers and the instructor to strengthen communication and critical reflection skills. All activities take place in person, with supplementary resources and materials available on the course’s online repository.

Assessment methods

The Laboratory of European Cultural Cooperation (2 ECTS) is assessed on a pass/fail basis, focusing on practical skills and active participation.

Components of assessment:

● Class participation: Engagement in workshops, group exercises, and discussions is essential and contributes to the evaluation.

● Group project: Students develop a micro European project (objectives, work packages, deliverables, budget) in groups.

The project is first presented in class and then submitted in its final version. The assessment will put emphasis on the practical skills (saper fare) acquired: project design, partnership building, budgeting, and applying project management frameworks while knowledge (sapere) will be evaluated through correct application in the project.

Evaluation criteria:

● Participation and engagement

● Coherence, clarity and effective application of methodologies and collaborative skills within the presented project

Submission:

● The final project must be submitted by the indicated deadline.
● Students must be enrolled to be eligible for assessment.

No external tools are required during presentations or project submission.

Teaching tools

Course materials, slides, templates, and additional readings are uploaded for asynchronous access as well as digital versions of exercises and project guidelines. Students with disabilities can request additional adaptations if needed.

Office hours

See the website of Ludovica Michelin