At Anceu, our vision focuses on connecting communities through innovative and sustainable projects. The recent visit to Blackburn (UK), as part of the European Creative Hub Network, allowed us to learn from a vibrant and creative city that is transforming its community through art, technology and social inclusion.
A Journey to the Heart of Creativity: The Making Rooms
At the heart of our visit was The Making Rooms, a maker space that brings together innovation, sustainability and community. Under Tom’s guidance, we explored projects that deeply inspired us:
- Ecolab: This creative lab reuses food scraps to create sustainable materials, demonstrating how the circular economy can be applied in practical and innovative ways.
- Precious Plastics: We participated in hands-on workshops where we transformed recycled plastics into useful objects such as flower pots and buttons. We also learned about the Replay project, which teaches young people how to repair video games, combining sustainability with education.
- Machinery and expansion: We had the opportunity to work with advanced machinery, such as a CNC machine and a shim machine, understanding their potential for local creation. In addition, we learned about The Making Rooms’ expansion plans, underlining their commitment to sustainable growth.
- We participated in a community workshop with Nashir, a young entrepreneur, learning about the creation of recycled coasters. https://www.facebook.com/STARMAKERS.DARWEN/
Our experience culminated in a community event where we presented Anceu and European Creative Hub Network projects, inviting Blackburn makers to future international exchanges.
Art and education as drivers of change
Art and education are key pillars in Blackburn, and our visit to key spaces reflected this commitment:
- Prism Art Gallery: this space supports local artists, encouraging their growth and visibility. We connected with Lidia, a talented local artist, and explored possibilities for integrating her into our European network.
- University College of Blackburn: This educational centre is dedicated to visual arts, photography and screen printing, offering the community tools to develop their creativity.
- Lunar Project: Blackburn Cathedral housed an art installation that connects contemporary art with the public space, a perfect example of how artistic interventions can transform the urban environment.
We were also able to establish dialogues with Blackburn City Council, which opens new doors for future cultural and educational collaborations.
Youth Zone: stories that inspire
The Youth Zone showed us the transformative impact of a space dedicated to young people. The centre combines sport, technology and creative activities, empowering the youth of Blackburn. We heard the inspiring story of a refugee woman who, thanks to the support she received here, went on to compete in the Olympics representing refugees. Such stories motivate us to continue working on projects that put young people at the centre of change.
A lasting impact on Anceu
Our visit to Blackburn was an enriching experience that left us with valuable insights and connections. Inspired by projects such as Ecolab, Precious Plastics and the Youth Zone, we will return to Anceu with a renewed vision to develop initiatives that combine sustainability, art and inclusion.
In addition, new partnerships with European hubs and the Blackburn maker community strengthen our international network, opening up possibilities for cultural and knowledge exchanges.
At Anceu, we believe in the power of global collaboration to transform the local. Blackburn has shown us a path full of possibilities, and we are ready to implement them in our community.