ALL INCLUSIVE: Performing Arts for Diversity and Social Inclusion

Arts, Culture, and Sports

National; Bosnia and Herzegovina

In a country where there is a significant gap in intersectionality within the cultural landscape, ALL INCLUSIVE presents a socio-cultural project that introduces innovative models of social integration. Centered on the performing arts, the project promotes the social inclusion of people with disabilities and other marginalized groups, such as Roma communities and individuals on the move along the Balkan Route, empowering them to actively shape and participate in cultural activities. It seeks to connect communities, break down social barriers, and foster a solidarity-based society rooted in empathy and mutual understanding.

The initiative launched by showcasing a curated series of existing theatre productions created by and for marginalized groups, bringing these powerful performances to Bosnian audiences for the first time. This was followed by collaborative workshops, co-produced with and for disadvantaged communities, during which participants uncovered hidden talents and developed creative and professional skills. These workshops were facilitated by established artists, including professionals with disabilities, who served as mentors and role models. This inclusive process culminates in a multidisciplinary theatre production that amplifies underrepresented voices and offers a meaningful space for cultural expression.

The initial showcase of 4 invited theatre plays gathered an audience of approximately 400 attendees. The subsequent capacity-building program trained nearly 40 participants through 5 workshops, 7 of whom were performers with disabilities.

This co-creative, accessible model is scalable and adaptable to cultural and geographical contexts. Workshops and best practices are documented for civil society organisations and cultural institutions, while networks among artists, NGOs and theatres foster continuity. The final performance and the exhibition can be adapted and toured, broadening its reach, while the methodology remains transferable across art forms, reinforcing cultural participation beyond this project cycle.

 https://www.goethe.de/ins/ba/de/kul/sup/allinclusive.html