VOICE concludes, leaving resources and new paths for artist-led work

The VOICE project – Valorising Artist-Led Innovation Through Citizen Engagement – officially concluded at the end of October 2026. Over the project, artists and communities explored how creative, participatory work can bring people together to address local social and environmental challenges.

Through 20 Art–Technology–Society Interaction (ATSI) projects across Europe, artists worked with communities, researchers and other stakeholders. The projects used creative methods, technology and local knowledge to explore issues ranging from rivers and biodiversity to sustainable food, textiles and urban environments.

As the project comes to an end, VOICE’s work is gathered in a set of resources that others can explore and build on. The Knowledge Platform brings together knowledge, methods and resources from artist-led, community-based work. It is designed as a growing resource that people can explore, use and build on in their own practice. Drawing on 43 interviews asking for direct messages to the EU and commissioning bodies, VOICEs of VOICE: The Manifesto & Condensed Recommendations brings together a shared team manifesto and a concise set of recommendations. It highlights key messages for those shaping policy and commissioning research and innovation, informed by the experiences and perspectives gathered through VOICE. The ATSI Catalogue shares the stories, approaches and outcomes of all 20 projects.

All project outputs are listed on the VOICE Resources page, creating a point of reference for people who want to continue this work without starting from zero.

The impact of the ATSI projects has continued beyond their initial implementation. Artists reported new research and funding opportunities, fellowships, residencies, collaborations, exhibitions and workshops. Some have adapted their projects or methods for new settings and continued working with communities. These developments show how the work supported by VOICE can open new doors and take shape in other contexts.

VOICE calls for artist-led approaches to be better recognised in policy and research, and for the relationship-building and coordination that enable this work to be properly supported. The project’s resources are intended to help practitioners, organisations and policymakers learn from the initiatives and apply relevant approaches in new contexts.