About Us

The IDENTITY Project is a dynamic, transnational initiative coordinated by EQUALINE – the European Center for Social Science, Culture and Sport, and co-funded by the EU’s CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) Town Twinning Programme. Grounded in the principle of “United in Diversity”, the project seeks to build lasting connections between European municipalities, local communities, and citizens through a rich tapestry of cultural expression, inclusive dialogue, and civic engagement.

At its core, IDENTITY promotes intercultural understanding, youth empowerment, and democratic participation, especially for underrepresented and marginalized groups. It offers an open and creative platform where individuals from diverse backgrounds can explore their shared European identity, while celebrating their local heritage and unique cultural traditions.

Through a series of participatory activities—including street plays, storytelling sessions, interactive workshops, cultural exhibitions, and public forums—the project cultivates spaces where voices that are often unheard can be elevated. By embracing creative expression as a tool for inclusion, IDENTITY addresses key contemporary challenges such as xenophobia, social exclusion, and civic disengagement, offering instead a vision of solidarity, mutual respect, and collaborative growth.

A cornerstone of the project is the European Unity Fest, held on 12–13 October 2024 in Veria, Greece, which brought together 327 participants from Greece, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Spain, and Croatia. The festival featured a diverse programme of activities, including the flagship “Stories from Every Corner” street plays, debate circles, culinary and musical showcases, and heritage tours. These encounters offered citizens a unique opportunity to reflect on themes of identity, inclusion, and collective memory, while building interpersonal and inter-municipal ties that extend beyond borders.

Beyond its events, the project also leaves a lasting digital footprint through its “EuroPlays: Stories of Unity and Diversity” online platform—an educational and participatory space that hosts videos, narratives, and tools for civic engagement.

The IDENTITY Project represents more than just a cultural exchange: it is a vibrant example of participatory European citizenship in action. By combining artistic expression with grassroots mobilization, it fosters a Europe where diversity is not only acknowledged, but actively celebrated. In doing so, it reaffirms the EU’s foundational values—equality, inclusion, solidarity, and democratic dialogue—and reinforces the belief that a united Europe begins within its communities.