What is needed in order to co-organise a roundtable at our organisation?
To co-organise a roundtable at your cultural organisation, here’s what’s typically needed:
Commitment to collaboration:
Being willing to bring together key local stakeholders, including civil society organisations, cultural operators, and local authorities, to address a relevant topic for your local cultural ecosystem.
Being prepared to foster constructive dialogue, facilitate discussion, and actively contribute to creating a supportive environment for collaboration.
Local knowledge and context:
Understanding your local cultural and social landscape is essential. The roundtable’s format will be shaped with your organisation’s input, in order to ensure it’s relevant and impactful for your community.
Your organisation will be involved in framing the roundtable’s agenda and selecting the right participants for the conversation.
Logistics and venue:
A space at your premises or elsewhere to host the roundtable and related events,
Organisational support, such as inviting participants, managing the logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Engagement with local partners:
A willingness to reach out to other local stakeholders, including civil society organisations and local authorities, to ensure broad participation.
It’s helpful if your organisation already has relationships with these groups, but the ability to establish new partnerships will be key as well.
Support for the roundtable goals:
Ensure that the roundtable aligns with the broader goal of the Building Bridges program, focusing on developing collaborative, sustainable initiatives for the community. Your organisation should be willing to contribute to a long-term, positive impact on the local ecosystem.
Ongoing reflection and reporting:
After the roundtable, your organisation will be expected to participate in follow-up activities, sharing feedback and lessons learned, and contributing to drafting a comprehensive report at the end of the project.
How many participants do you expect to the roundtables?
The specific format of each roundtable will be shaped with the selected co-organiser, taking into account the local context. According to the project plan, the different events proposed in a location should gather about 25 local people.
What will be the role of the ENCC?
We will contribute to your initiative by providing an external perspective, legitimacy, and specialised expertise. The inclusion of recognised international speakers will not only serve as an incentive for participation, but also offer valuable inspiration. Our office and the Building Bridges experts will assist the host by providing a fresh perspective on local challenges, helping to reframe issues for potential new solutions, and fostering connections with other European experiences. The ENCC logo adds credibility to the initiative, which can be especially beneficial when engaging local actors who might otherwise be harder to reach.
Additionally, all hosts will be invited to a final meeting in 2028. This event will allow to share reflections on the program, foster further synergies, and explore opportunities for follow-up actions. We will also ensure visibility for your initiative at an international level.
Our role also includes coordinating and developing the overall Building Bridges program, ensuring consistency with its objectives across different countries. Specifically, we will:
Select centres interested in hosting a roundtable;
Organise preparatory online meetings to plan the events;
Provide at least two international experts/participants to join the local events, including the expert overseeing the overall program;
Give visibility to the local initiative and co-organisers within the Building Bridges framework.
Will there be mentoring about the roundtables?
Yes, we have designated an expert who will provide guidance and support throughout the process. They will work closely with you, alongside the ENCC office, to ensure the successful planning and execution of the roundtables. You’ll receive the necessary mentorship to help navigate the process, shape the roundtable’s structure, and maximise its impact within your local context.
What are the costs covered by ENCC?
We will cover the following costs:
Travels, subsistence and accommodation (2 days) for at least 2 international participants/experts;
Speaking fees for international experts;
Catering (1000 euros);
Support from our staff and experts.
Are any extra financial benefits foreseen for the co-organisersers?
There are no other direct financial benefits for co-organisers. Yet, we hope the funds from the European Commission could be complemented by local funds, to be used by co-organisers.
When are the roundtable events planned to take place?
Indicatively, the six roundtables will take place in Autumn 2025, Spring 2026, Autumn 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, and Winter 2027 or early Spring 2028. This call will select the first 4 hosts. A call for roundtables in 2027 and 2028 will be issued next year. Exact dates will be agreed with the local hosts, also taking into account the specificity of each context.
Can I apply to host a roundtable if I am not an ENCC member?
Yes, you can apply to host a roundtable even if you're not an ENCC member. Any socio-cultural organisation interested in collaborating is welcome to apply. However, priority will be given to members.
