The PULSE-ART team in front of one of Anatolia College’s buildings in Thessaloniki, Greece. Picture by PULSE-ART.
Written by the PULSE-ART Communication team
November 26, 2025
The PULSE-ART Consortium team met in Thessaloniki, Greece, on 6–7 November 2025 for the first Consortium meeting, hosted by Anatolia College. Over two intensive days of co-creation sessions and presentations, the group reviewed the project’s first year, discussed ongoing tasks, and jointly planned the next steps.
A two-day collaborative meeting in Greece
With an average of two representatives from each of the ten partner organisations, together with Advisory Board members Karin Weil González and Rolf Hughes, the meeting brought together 23 participants.
On the first day, the group engaged in conceptual discussions on arts and education, examined the objectives of the PULSE-ART tools, such as the Professional Development Programme and the Self-Reflection tool, co-defined the project’s impact assessment framework, and identified opportunities to involve policymakers more effectively.
The second day centred on practical and collaborative work. Participants joined workshops to develop the case-study methodology, exchanged insights on cultural diversity, presented recent communication achievements, and reviewed overall project progress.
These sessions were complemented by shared meals of delicious Greek food, a tour of the Anatolia College campus, and a guided visit through Thessaloniki, providing a deeper understanding of the city’s history and cultural context.
The consortium team debating ideas during a workshop. Picture by Francisca Casas-Cordero, ISGlobal, PULSE-ART
Why it matters
Working together in person proved highly productive and cultural diversity enriched the discussions. Consortium members exchanged feedback across interconnected tasks, contributed diverse perspectives from different national contexts and disciplines, and strengthened both the operational and transversal foundations of the project.
The onsite format also enabled direct collaboration on specific tasks—such as shaping the structure of the Self-Reflection tool—while also addressing key overarching questions: How do we engage policymakers in our respective countries? What transversal criteria should guide the seven case studies? How do we each conceptualise art-based learning? These conversations fostered a shared direction and strengthened the consortium’s collective purpose.
The presence of two Advisory Board members further enriched the meeting, offering guidance and reflections that opened new avenues for reflection and helped refine essential ideas.
Finally, meeting in person—recognising the privilege this represents—strengthened interpersonal connections, improved the working atmosphere, and boosted motivation for a long-term European project of three years.
The consortium team sharing reflections during a co-creation session. Picture by PULSE-ART.
Key outcomes
- A shared understanding of the project’s fundamental concepts was discussed, strengthening consensus and internal coherence across the consortium.
- A framework for impact assessment and reflection on project’s advocacy narratives has been discussed to enable more effective engagement with policymakers and PULSE-ART target groups.
- A clearer case study methodology and initial cross-cutting criteria have been proposed to guide the implementation of the seven case studies.
- The collaboration within the consortium has been strengthened by more structured feedback processes, richer cross-cultural knowledge exchange and active guidance from the Advisory Board.
- Team cohesion and motivation have increased, supported by strengthened interpersonal connections and a jointly defined roadmap for the next phases of the project.
Overall, the first Consortium meeting in Thessaloniki marked an important milestone for PULSE-ART. By combining intensive collaborative work with rich cultural exchange, the partners not only moved the project forward but also strengthened the shared vision that will sustain the consortium throughout the coming years. The meeting set a clear direction for the next phase of the project, grounded in collective insight, expertise, and a renewed sense of purpose.
