The central theme of the “Let There Be Dance!” project, held in Zenta (Serbia) from October 28–31, was the retention and community-building power of cultural activities and folk dance. The four-day international kick-off conference brought together representatives from civil and cultural organizations from Hungary, Romania, and Serbia – including the Ér Hangja Association – with the aim of taking the first steps toward one of the main objectives of the project: identifying and widely disseminating effective methods that enhance the success of folk dance cultural associations compared to civil organizations. A total of 28 participants from the three countries attended the kick-off meeting, all of whom are leaders or members of various youth, civil, or cultural organizations, meaning the project’s theme directly affects them.

The first and second days of the meeting focused on introductions and presentations from the attending organizations. After the lighthearted start, the participants concentrated on more serious topics, such as mapping resources, gaining a deeper understanding of the project’s goals and expected outcomes, and jointly reviewing the upcoming work packages of the project.

In the second half of the conference, participants analyzed ways to connect and leverage existing resources, while also comparing the weaknesses of the youth sector to the strengths of cultural associations. Through group work, the participants were able to pinpoint and list specific connection points between the two sectors, as well as plan how to capitalize on these commonalities. The joint creation of an action plan for the upcoming months and discussions on the next steps of the project were also addressed during the second part of the meeting.

In addition to the professional activities, there was an opportunity to taste local gastronomic specialties and explore Zenta’s cultural heritage, which was made even more pleasant by the warm, sunny autumn weather.

As previously reported, the project is the result of a joint application by Hungary’s Fóti Közszolgáltató Nonprofit Kft., Serbia’s Flow-E.R. Environmental Association, and Romania’s Ér Hangja Association. The initiators have committed to creating a methodological publication and video collection to support the improvement of the capacity and operational efficiency of youth civil organizations. The focus will be on the positive examples experienced in the operations of folk dance cultural associations.

The meeting was very successful, as all participants took their assigned tasks seriously, and details regarding the content of the methodological publication and videos began to take shape. However, even more importantly, the meeting had an inspiring effect on the attendees regarding their future work. Many left with new ideas and fresh enthusiasm. Not only did they take home a wealth of useful information, but also new ideas and the reassurance that they are not alone with their potential challenges, and that with collaborative efforts, there is a chance to achieve positive changes in the effective operation of their organizations. The “Let There Be Dance!” international project is supported by the Erasmus+ program.