Fostering and maintaining the social fabric for the green transition in neighbourhoods

Social connections and cultural participation are core features of individual well-being. Evidence shows a strong association between participation in cultural activities and civic behaviour (such as voting and volunteering), empathy, tolerance, security and social cohesion[[ New report: participation in cultural activities strengthens democracy and social cohesion | Culture and Creativity (europa.eu)]]. Conversely, low interpersonal trust, heightened risk-taking, and disengaged civic attitudes are correlated with an increased sense of loneliness[[ https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC136823/JRC136823_01.pdf]] – the lack of meaningful social interactions. Cultural organisations and artistic practices with a social purpose or dimension can help to better connect people, strengthen social fabric[[See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP25.]], and overcome social boundaries.

This topic aims to study the interplay between cultural participation, social connections and civic engagement. The resulting insights can be used to foster and maintain the social fabric of neighbourhoods and support their green transition while addressing other challenges such as the decline in social connections[[ Robert D. Putnam described in his book Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community (2000) the decline in face-to-face social interactions in America, arguing that this weakens active civic engagement, which is strongly connected to democracy.]].

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

• Study the conditions under which cultural participation may reinforce the social fabric and civic engagement in neighbourhoods and contribute to the green transition:
  • Review existing evidence and collect relevant data in a systematic, comparable way (at least in relation to some territories or dimensions) and identifying trends, gaps and correlations.
  • Explore the wider benefits of cultural participation for individuals and communities (including those feeling left behind, all risk groups vulnerable and/or marginalised, etc.). Where possible, establish correlations, causal links, detailed descriptions, etc., depending on the proposed methodology.
  • Provide a comprehensive analysis of relevant variables, such as socio-demographic characteristics, context-specific aspects, the presence (or absence) of meeting spaces / social infrastructure, digital literacy, local innovation capacity, polarisation, wellbeing and mental health, safety and crime, loneliness, etc.
• Propose at least three methods or strategies to foster and maintain the social fabric of neighbourhoods and support their green transition. These strategies, approaches or methodologies have to be guided by evidence. They are demonstrated and monitored in at least three neighbourhoods in different Member States or Associated Countries to analyse their effectiveness and their potential for sustained effects in time, in particular as regards community and civic engagement (in particular of the most marginalised and underrepresented).
• Based on the research evidence, propose recommendations for public authorities and not-for-profit organisations on how to facilitate cultural participation, including the skills, competencies and partnerships needed for their implementation.

Proposals are expected to follow a participatory and transdisciplinary approach[[ See definition on NEB working principles in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP25]] through the integration of different actors (such as public authorities, local actors from the targeted neighbourhoods, civil society, private owners, cultural operators, etc.) and disciplines.

This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities[[ See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP25.]] (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.

Proposals are expected to dedicate at least 0.2% of their total budget to share their intermediate and final results and findings with the Coordination and Support Action 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' (HORIZON-MISS-2024-NEB-01-03).