Institute for Creative Civil Strategies

Institute for Creative Civil Strategies ICCS is youth, cultural and research non-profit organization founded in the city of Ruse, Bulgaria. ICCS supports the personal and professional development of university students and youth interested in contemporary visual culture (Media & Film studies, Visual arts, Journalism, Social advertising, etc.) ICCS works to involve university students and youth in international trainings, youth initiatives and intercultural exchanges which serve to extend their understanding of European Visual Culture and Citizenship and to critically develop their sense of European identity. Our projects promote youth access to culture and civic participation that gives a first-hand experience in the field of creativity and new media and stimulates the entrepreneurial spirit and employability. Our credo is the successful youth inclusion in the contemporary society should be built on four major pillars – creativity, pro-activity, entrepreneurship and sustainability – so we adamantly search for networks and partnerships with those who share our beliefs. In 2015 ICCS became a member of the Anna Lindh Foundation network working for the inter-cultural dialogue in the Mediterranean region with more than 4000 civil society organizations. Our long term strategy is to merge the boundaries between civic participation and creative industries by implementing educational and cultural projects focused on youth visual culture and literacy. Our aim is to encourage the creation of visual products in a variety of social and cultural contexts as well as youth ability to access, understand and critically evaluate the different aspects of messages within visual culture and media. On a local level, we work with university students from the Bulgarian universities and unemployed youth as well as youth professionals and junior researchers interested in contemporary culture issues (Media &Film studies, Visual arts, Journalism, Social advertising, etc.) We aim to involve them in international youth initiatives, trainings and inter-cultural exchanges which serve to extend their understanding of European Citizenship and to critically develop their sense of European identity. ICCS specializes in educational and cultural activities involving university students in international trainings, volunteering, international youth exchanges and initiatives (more than 150 for the last 5 years); In particular: Career development in the field of cultural and creative entrepreneurship (international youth exchanges, international seminars and training courses for youth workers, youth initiatives). We provide the student communities with informational support and assists with development opportunities such as: national and international academic and non-academic scholarships, internship programs, non-formal education projects, and volunteering opportunities; We prepare youth to manage their education and career transitions and stages; with assistance to develop their portfolios, interview preparation ect. Last but not least ICCS implements surveys and analysis on contemporary visual culture in Bulgaria, involving PhD students and young scientists in the Social sciences and Humanities whose are in the early stage of their development; In addition, we implement different research activities relevant to the ICCS's aims and mission;