Impact with Purpose: Creating Sustainable Futures for People and Communities

CARITAS and OECON Bulgaria are pleased to invite community members, creatives, cultural practitioners, and anyone interested in learning and exchange to participate in a series of Community Engagement Workshops taking place in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from 1 to 4 September 2026.

The workshops aim to foster creativity, knowledge sharing, intercultural dialogue, and community participation through a diverse programme of hands-on activities. Participants will have the opportunity to explore traditional crafts, develop practical skills, discover new funding opportunities, and connect with people from different backgrounds.

Venue

1 Knyaginya Maria Luiza Blvd., 2nd Floor, Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Dates

1-4 September 2026

Language

All workshops will be conducted in English.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/YKSLVva7gYP4ERjD7

Workshop Programme

Egg Workshop

1 September 2026 | 18:00-21:00

A hands-on, beginner-friendly masterclass exploring the traditional art of Bulgarian folk egg decoration (pisani yaitsa), reimagined through a sustainable lens. Participants will discover traditional techniques while experimenting with creative approaches that connect heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

Facilitators: Arlik Suvari & Suzanne Beautyman

Clay Toy Workshop

2 September 2026 | 18:00-21:00

A practical workshop focused on creating a small toy car from clay. Participants will learn basic modelling techniques and explore the creative process from shaping the object to finishing touches. Once dry, the toy can be painted by hand and fitted with wheels.

Facilitator: Pietro Giura Longo

EU Funding Seminar

3 September 2026 | 10:00-17:00

An introductory seminar designed for artists, cultural workers, and creative professionals interested in European funding opportunities. The session will provide an overview of relevant programmes and introduce participants to the fundamentals of project development and proposal writing.

Facilitator: Elena Kopanarova

RE-COLLECTIONS: Collage Workshop

3 September 2026 | 18:00-21:00

A creative collage workshop using found and recycled materials to explore themes of memory, identity, and storytelling. Through simple, hands-on techniques, participants will experiment with creative reinterpretation and develop unique visual narratives.

Facilitators: Evelyn Guzman & Miguel Outeiro

Pasta Workshop

4 September 2026 | 18:00-21:00

A hands-on introduction to traditional pasta making, combining culinary practice with cultural exchange. The workshop concludes with a shared meal, highlighting food as a powerful medium for connection, tradition, and community building.

Facilitators: Piergiuseppe Pendota & Francesco Tataranni

Stay tuned for more details about the workshops, facilitators, and programme activities.

Apply here: https://forms.gle/YKSLVva7gYP4ERjD7

The workshops are organized by CARITAS and OECON Bulgaria. Selected activities are implemented within the framework of the European project Craftwork4.0All.