Backstage Club is an international workshop series tackling key aspects of international collaborations. The event series is open to artists and cultural professionals locally and internationally as well. Backstage Club is an initiative of NextStage+, a Creative Europe funded program. https://nextstageproject.com/ 

Through three thematic sessions in Budapest, this series invites participants to explore international cultural policies and opportunities for collectively shaping them. The language of the event is English.

Participation is free, but registration is required. You can register for each of the three sessions individually as well here: https://forms.gle/msXVku9i3xBVx5VA9  

TUESDAY 16TH JUNE:

Place: Budapest, Jurányi u. 1-3, 1027, Building B., Labor (3rd Floor)
10:00-12:00  – Advocacy workshop
13:00-15:00  – European Cultural Policies and Advocacy

WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE:

Place: Budapest, Jurányi u. 1-3, 1027, Building B., Labor (3rd Floor)
10:00-12:00  – International case studies and mapping of cultural political contexts and advocacy practices

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TUESDAY 16TH JUNE:

10:00-12:00  –  Advocacy workshop
Place: Budapest, Jurányi u. 1-3, 1027, Building B., Labor (3rd Floor)

Interested in advocacy and representation?
Would you like to debate the challenges facing the cultural sector? Curious about how advocacy works in practice? Or perhaps you’d like to develop your discussion and debating skills in a supportive environment?

Join us for a 2 hour interactive session facilitated by drama instructors Dominik Kabdebon and Hanna Milovits. Through a forum-style debate, participants will explore complex cultural issues, relationships, and dilemmas from both local (Hungarian) and other European contexts.

Using playful, participatory methods and a safe, incubator-like setting, we will create space for open dialogue, critical thinking, and collaborative reflection. Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to strengthen your confidence in discussing cultural issues, this session offers an opportunity to learn, exchange perspectives, and practice constructive debate together.
The event is free but registration is required here:
https://forms.gle/msXVku9i3xBVx5VA9 

12:00-13:00 – Lunch break & networking

13:00 -15:00 – European Cultural Policies and Advocacy
Place: Budapest, Jurányi u. 1-3, 1027, Building B., Labor (3rd Floor)

How are European cultural policies evolving, and what opportunities do cultural actors have to influence their direction?

This information session and discussion will explore current trends and priorities in European cultural policy, and introduce advocacy platforms, organizations and tools available to independent cultural workers. Together with experts and sector representatives, we will examine how policy decisions are shaped at European levels, and discuss practical ways to engage in and contribute to these processes.

The session aims to equip participants with a deeper understanding of current developments in European cultural policy, the mechanisms through which advocacy operates, and the ways cultural stakeholders can actively contribute to shaping the future of culture in Europe.

Discussion Partners:
● Gábor Mondik, Creative Europe Desk Hungary
● Kornélia Kiss, Culture Action Europe
● Ulrike Kuner, European Association of Independent Performing Arts (EAIPA)

The event is free but registration is required here:
https://forms.gle/msXVku9i3xBVx5VA9 

WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE:

10:00-12:00 – International case studies and mapping of cultural political contexts and advocacy practices
Place: Budapest, Jurányi u. 1-3, 1027, Building B., Labor (3rd Floor)

Independent theatre practitioners across Europe are navigating increasingly complex political and funding environments. This discussion explores the current landscape of cultural policy and public funding from the perspective of the independent performing arts sector, examining how political developments, funding structures, and cultural priorities affect artistic freedom, sustainability, and working conditions.

Participants from different countries will share insights into their national cultural and political contexts and present advocacy initiatives aimed at strengthening the position of independent artists and organisations. Drawing on examples from Sweden, Hungary, Germany and Greece, the discussion will explore how collective action, advocacy, and lobbying can shape cultural policy, improve working conditions, and build solidarity across the independent performing arts sector.

The conversation will provide an opportunity to compare strategies, identify common challenges, and reflect on the role of collective action in shaping more resilient and equitable cultural ecosystems.

Discussion partners:
● Zoltán Imely (Dologidő), Lili Stern (FESZ) (Hungary)
● Sara Bergsmark & Terry Johnson (Sweden)
● Kyriakos Christodoulopoulos (Greece) 
● Mara Nedelcu (Germany)

The event is free but registration is required here:
https://forms.gle/msXVku9i3xBVx5VA9 

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Backstage Club is an initiative of NextStage+, a Creative Europe funded program, offering an international incubation program for a new generation of managers, who can collaborate with more experienced colleagues to create safe spaces and sustainable career paths for emerging and mid-career artists. https://nextstageproject.com/  

Backstage Club in Budapest is the first series of the events of the Next Stage+ project,organised by Workshop Foundation [HU], TooFarEast [GR] Nedelcu & Hauser/Kompliz:innen [DE] and Johnson & Bergsmark [SE].

NextStage+ is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them