Deputy Mayor of Rijeka Marko Filipović signed a contract with Minister of Culture Nina Obuljen Koržinek and Minister of Labour and Pension System Marko Pavić granting a non-refundable amount of 797.785,15 kuna from the European Social Fund within the scope of the operative programme Efficient Human Potentials.
The resources are intended for the project Fifth Ensemble implemented by the City of Rijeka in partnership with the Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc, and in collaboration with the Centre for Education in Rijeka.
The City of Rijeka was awarded the resources through a financial support tender issued by the Ministry of Culture on behalf of the European Social Fund, and the project application was prepared by RIJEKA 2020.
The Fifth Ensemble project involves the inclusion of youth with disabilities in the labour market through preparatory cultural-artistic activities resulting in acquired skills, work habits and new knowledge required to work in a theatre. The project began by signing the contract, it will last 18 months, and it is closely connected to the European Capital of Culture project within the scope of the Kitchen flagship, which aims to increase the active participation of vulnerable social groups, including the disabled, in cultural activities.
The goal of the project is to add a Fifth Ensemble formed by people with disabilities to the existing four professional artistic ensembles presently active in Zajc, in line with similar initiatives across Europe such as the Blue Teapot Theatre Company from Galway in Ireland.
This innovative and experimental project, first of its kind in Rijeka, requires in-depth preparation by all participants – people with disabilities, educators, artists, parents, the media, broader audiences and policymakers – before the programmes enter the professional artistic production phase. The Fifth Ensemble project is the first phase of the preparation.
In addition to the aforementioned Centre for Education in Rijeka, whose students include young people with disabilities, the collaboration will also be achieved with the Rijeka 21 organisation whose members include young people with Down Syndrome.
Source and photo: www.rijeka.hr
