Main objective is to build bridges between polarized political stands, unrelated social groups, opposing views and belief systems through means of art and theatre. Residents of different ages, social and ethnic backgrounds will be engaged into dialogue and reflection about living together. Using the method of »Table theatre« (theatre piece on specific local issue that takes place around the table which is followed by discussion) in which locals create new space for exchange and joint action.

Sevnica (5000 inhabitants), Lower Sava region (2nd smallest Slovenian region), SE part of Slovenia.

The region in many ways reaches under the country's average: as the Quality of Life Index shows, people from this region are on average less included in the society than people in other Slovenian regions. Moreover, data shows that every 10th person from Lower Sava region has nobody with whom they could share personal or intimate conversation. According to the Child Well-being Index, the children from Lower Sava region have less frequent access to cultural goods than most other children in the country. Political polarisation in rural environment is even more present than in the cities, as well as problem of younger population leaving the area. There is a lack of cultural events and a lack of local initiatives. The unemployment rate in this area is among the highest in Slovenia.

Population in the region with different social, professional and ethnical backgrounds, including recipients of welfare benefits, people working in NGOs and those active in local politics and public institutions, young people, senior citizens, first-time residents and migrants.
We will include locals of all ages (kids, adolescents, adults, elderly people) into research, find locals who are motivated to do the workshop and „Table theatre“ events for the community. How does the younger generation look into the future of the respective district? What would motivate the older generation to contribute in the community? We will share the outcome of discussions, ideas, problems and wishes with the organisations. "Table theatre" will give impulses and ideas to actively change the neighbourhood.

1st step: contacting local institutions, preparing local actions in order to gain participants for the »Interactive theatre« workshop. Advertising in the local newspaper, spreading information through local opinion makers, including relevant local institutions.
2nd step: gathering of the local participants and forming focus group to concise the relevant local topic for »Table theatre« method.
3rd step: implementation of 20-hour workshop
4th step: making of the »Table theatre« scene on the chosen topic with the locals that was recognized as the burning local issue in the second step
5th step: implementation of »Table theatre« pieces on the specific theme in 10 different locations: parks, flats, retirement home, public library, youth centre, primary school...
6th step: monitoring

A research will be made by conducting 30 interviews with young and senior locals. Analyzing the interviews and detecting the most burning issues that would need to be addressed. Mentors and participants of the workshop will decide for the topic of the piece. The main approaches in the workshop will consist of addressing controversial issues through theatre exercises, developing discussion, thinking through debate and play. Those approaches are expected to help develop a range of social skills and knowledge. The toolbox will include practical exercises, 'polarization' game and other theatre games suitable for non-actors with learning objectives. The final piece will be presented 10x to the wider local population and local policy makers. New local initiatives will rise, spreading the method.

We will tackle alienation of people, as it happens due to lack of activities where people would co-create, meet and get-to-know each other. This results in less interpersonal trust, less dialogue and in increased political apathy on one hand and increased political radicalization on another. The idea is to enhance community-building activities in the region which will result in building-up civic engagement. The project encourages, advises and mentors participants in order for them to be equipped with skills how to engage in discussions about topics they see important on the local level. The idea is to stimulate active citizenship through performative tools and encourage people to make propositions for the improvement of local environment and share those propositions with local government.

With the the help of directorial team that already implemented similar events all over Germany, Ljud group tested a series of »Table theatre« events for the very first time in 2019. We want to spread the successfully tested method into the region that is facing big challenges in the field of active engagement in political and social reality. In the area where is little or no communication among community members and where political apathy is an ongoing issue due to lack of community-building, quality educational and cultural activities. Populist politics are gaining trust and there is little chance to expect mutual understanding and dialogue among different groups of people. We want to use means of theatre to create space for exchange, education, discussion, joint action and networking.

Personnnel costs (6 persons): 18000 eur
Travel costs: 2897 eur
Office costs: 1700 eur
Material costs: 1500 eur
Video documentation: 1500 eur
Food&accommodation (2 persons) - 640 eur

Ljud pro bono: 4880 eur ( accommodation, monitoring process in the neighbourhood at the end of the project)

We would appreciate any kind of feedback on the proposed project.
Thanks;)