On September 22–23, an international meeting of the “Enhancing Social Inclusion and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups through Integrated and Creative Methodologies” (SoCreative) project took place at the State Social Care Centre “Latgale”, Affiliate “Kalupe” in Latvia. The Lithuanian team travelled to meet the Latvian partners, and together they took part in a range of creative, musical and cultural activities over two days.
The theme of this meeting was “Busy as Bees”. Just as bees work together to create a common result, the project participants were encouraged to cooperate, share ideas, explore different creative methods and discover new ways of strengthening social inclusion.
On the first day, participants took part in creative workshops, where Lithuanian and Latvian partners created, learned and shared their experiences together. The creative activities provided an opportunity for self-expression, communication and cooperation. Participants had the chance to explore different artistic methods and approaches that can be applied in everyday work with vulnerable groups.
After the creative activities, time was dedicated to reflecting on the day. Participants shared their insights, discussed their experiences and explored how creative methods can contribute to participation, self-expression and stronger social connections.
The first day concluded with a cultural visit to the Bread Museum, where participants learned more about Latvian bread-making traditions and cultural heritage. It was a wonderful opportunity not only to discover Latvian culture, but also to spend time together in an informal and welcoming environment.
The second day brought everyone together through music. A Creative Expression and Social Integration Concert took place, bringing together Lithuanian and Latvian project participants. Once again, music became a way of connecting people, expressing emotions and creating a sense of togetherness beyond words.
A special highlight of the meeting was the opening of the “Busy as Bees” exhibition. The exhibition presented creative works created during the activities, reflecting the participants’ ideas, emotions and experiences. Each artwork became part of a shared story created by the Lithuanian and Latvian project participants.
At the end of the meeting, participants reviewed the activities of the two days, shared their insights and recommendations, and reflected on the experiences gained during the meeting.
These two days were not only about creativity. They were about cooperation, sharing experiences, music, culture and human connection. They showed once again how creating together can open up new ways to strengthen social inclusion and provide people with more opportunities for self-expression and participation.
