Culture Converge Lisbon 2026 – Strategies at the intersection of culture, democracy and the digital world.

 

The European Network of Cultural Centres (ENCC) International Conference, taking place on 20, 21 and 22 May at the Carpintarias de São Lázaro, explores how cultural and community centres can act as champions of democratic participation and citizenship.

 

Promoting democracy through socio-culture

In their role as spaces for dialogue and cultural resistance, socio-cultural centres are uniquely positioned to actively protect freedom of expression, counter dominant narratives, and bridge divides between different parts of our increasingly polarised societies. At Culture Converge 2026 in Lisbon, we will discover, discuss, and collectively negotiate new approaches and strategies to empower citizens through socio-culture and nurture trust within communities facing fragmentation.

 

A reflection on digital practices and spaces

Today, tackling the issue of democratic participation also means rethinking our approach to the digital domain. Culture Converge 2026 will be an opportunity to explore ways to navigate the digital disruption critically and together; an invitation to conceive the possibility of digital practices and platforms that truly connect us, and, in some instances, of opting out altogether.

 

A transversal approach

Hosted by our member Carpintarias de São Lázaro, the event is open to both ENCC members and non-members from all over Europe and beyond. We welcome socio-culture practitioners and any other interested stakeholders, such as students, academics, artists, activists, representatives of civil society organisations, as well as local and European-level policy makers. We will learn from inspiring practices already in place, and work together to shape long-term, cross-sectorial strategies and approaches to the issues at stake, within and beyond Europe.

 

We unite 191 socio-cultural organisations in 39 countries across Europe and beyond, creating opportunities for training, cooperation, and advocacy. Together, we strive to transform practices and territories

 

You can view the programme at  https://encc.eu/articles/culture-converge-2026-lisbon

 

 

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ENCC is a leading international network founded in 1994 and funded by the European Commission through the Creative Europe programme, which connects and promotes the exchange and involvement of cultural centres across all Creative Europe countries. The network operates in various areas of international cooperation, including capacity building, networking and the co-production of creative works, and is open to membership from cultural centres, networks of cultural centres and municipal networks. The annual conference is an opportunity to collectively discuss contemporary challenges in a co-creative and productive manner, charting a course through a process of mutual exchange, with selected members receiving financial support.