The project participant: Ot nota do cviat – Shumen, Bulgaria
Name of the project: ‘Music Connects’
What’s the heart of your project?
The heart of our pilot in Collab 4 HySust CCI is to reach more young people with our organization and bring them together through music, empowering them to express themselves, improve their communication skills, and enhance their cultural understanding. By offering a space where they can collaborate with international mentors and peers, we aim to foster creativity and inclusivity while building a strong sense of community. The project helps young participants create original music, improve their language skills, and develop personal growth through collaborative learning.
What’s something you’re really proud of achieving so far (with your project inside Collab 4 HySUST CCI)?
We are incredibly proud of the impactful results achieved through our workshops. Participants have not only created original songs but also significantly improved their communication and language skills. The live-streamed sessions that garnered 1.6k views and the diverse collaborations with local and international musicians have also been a huge success. Most notably, we’ve successfully attracted new students into our music program, which shows how our workshops have tangible, lasting impact.
Where do you see your project heading next?
Looking ahead, we envision the project expanding significantly, both in terms of the number of workshops and the diversity of participants. We aim to deepen our international collaborations and bring more local and regional musicians into the fold. Additionally, we plan to organize a major public concert in March 2025, showcasing the new songs created during our workshops, which will increase our visibility and engage even more youth in the process.
What do you think is the most valuable thing that the Collab 4 HySUST CCI project has brought to you?
The most valuable aspect of the Collab 4 HySUST CCI project has been the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded organizations and creative professionals across Europe. This has enriched our approach and inspired new ideas for expanding our programs. It’s also given us invaluable insight into how we can make our initiatives more sustainable, impactful, and relevant to the needs of young people today.
From your experience participating in the Collab 4 Hy Sust CCI project, what advice would you give to organizations similar to yours?
We would advise similar organizations to focus on building strong, mutually beneficial collaborations with both local and international partners. Engage with the community at every level, from participants to mentors, and focus on creating programs that are not only educational but also interactive and engaging. Use feedback and evaluations to continuously improve and refine your offerings. Flexibility and adaptability are key to maintaining momentum and success.
Would you like to add something?
Overall, our experience with Collab 4 HySUST CCI has been incredibly enriching. Our ongoing workshops and the upcoming public concert in March 2025 mark exciting milestones. We look forward to continuing to build partnerships with other creative music organizations, attract new sponsors, and expand our audience—all while providing more opportunities for young people to engage in meaningful, creative work.
