Culture for Change (CforC) is a cross-sectoral network promoting social and cultural innovation in Greece. Founded in 2020 in Athens as a non-profit association, it brings together over 100 professionals from 13 regions—including artists, cultural managers, scientists, environmental experts, lawyers, architects, and engineers—working at the intersection of culture and social impact.
The network was conceived during the START – Create Cultural Change program in Greece and was further developed with the financial support of the International Alumni Center (IAC) in Berlin to establish its collaborative structure. Since then, CforC has been dedicated to supporting interdisciplinary professionals committed to socio-cultural innovation in their communities, strengthening participatory cultural practices through collaborative projects, roundtables, and advocacy for democratic governance in culture.
United by a common vision of social and cultural innovation, CforC empowers civil society by offering tools, training, networking, and collaboration opportunities, while supporting collective policymaking and participatory democracy. Its key activities include capacity building, community activation, and advancing inclusive cultural and social policies, enabling its members to collaborate creatively across sectors and regions, and to make their work more feasible, sustainable, and impactful.
The organization is governed by a five-member elected Coordination Team, supported by member-initiated working groups, and operates through participatory, non-hierarchical decision-making.
In terms of impact, CforC has played a role in shaping national policy through its contribution to the Action Plan for Civil Society (2024), embedding participatory processes in policy-making and strengthening third-sector resilience in Greece.
One of its most significant recent projects was “Mystery 137: Transition to Professional Solidarity” (Eleusis, 2024), part of Eleusis 2023 – European Capital of Culture. This five-day event explored professional solidarity as a driver of social change, using culture to foster alliances and impact local communities. Through workshops, roundtables, and engagement with local collectives, CforC introduced its hybrid development model, shared participatory tools and practices, and facilitated discussions on governance, collaboration, and demands for change—showcasing its ability to combine cultural production with advocacy and community empowerment.
