TEH co-launching EU-level "Go Vote" campaign (2014)
What began as a conversation about the future of culture in Europe soon turned into a collective democratic action. During the TEH77 Conference in spring 2014, “The Future Is Not What It Used to Be”, ten international cultural networks and organisations – including Trans Europe Halles – gathered for a separate session to reflect on how cultural actors could better engage their audiences and members in influencing political decision-making at European level.
What was discussed?
The session discussion took place against a tense political backdrop. With European elections only two months away in May 2014, concerns were voiced about the rise of nationalist parties and the growing risks to democracy, diversity and freedom of expression across the continent. For networks like Trans Europe Halles working daily to strengthen civic participation and cultural exchange, remaining silent was not an option. Out of this shared concern emerged a joint initiative: the Go Vote Campaign.
Ten organisations – On the Move, IETM, FACE, European Cultural Foundation, Kunsten '92, Roots & Routes, Res Artis, Culture Action Europe, Raad voor Cultuur, and Trans Europe Halles – developed a shared message and practical mobilisation tools under the slogan “Go Vote! Bring a Friend.”
Together, they produced a campaign kit and timeline, inviting fellow European cultural networks to join and amplify the message. The call was simple yet powerful: encourage audiences across Europe to participate in the European elections and to bring someone with them to the polls.
The initiative quickly expanded beyond the initial group. Networks such as ACCR, NEMO, DMB, Europa Cantat, EMC, EMCY, Eurozine, and Banlieues d’Europe helped disseminate the message across borders and disciplines.
What was the campaign's reach?
Collectively, the campaign reached 76,425 newsletter subscribers and more than 20,000 Facebook followers, generating hundreds of shares and interactions. At a time when digital civic mobilisation was still emerging as a strategic tool for cultural networks, this represented a significant coordinated outreach effort at EU level.
2014 European Election Toolkit developed by TEH
In parallel, Trans Europe Halles developed a dedicated European Election Toolkit, a re-mix and adaptation of Culture Action Europe’s advocacy toolkit, tailored to grassroots cultural centres and independent operators.
The toolkit was widely circulated during spring 2014 in the run-up to the European elections, equipping TEH members with practical guidance on how to communicate about the elections, stimulate debate, and encourage participation within their communities.
The Go Vote Campaign marked a moment when European cultural networks moved beyond sectoral advocacy to collective democratic engagement. It demonstrated that culture is not only about artistic production, but also about safeguarding the democratic space in which that production can exist.
At a time of political uncertainty, cultural actors across Europe chose to stand together and send a clear message: participation matters.
- CAE - Culture Action Europe
- FACE – Fresh Arts Coalition Europe
- TEH – Trans Europe Halles
- OTM – On the Move
- IETM – international network for contemporary performing arts
- NEMO – Network of European Museum Organisations
- EMC – European Music Council
- ETC – European Theatre Convention
- RESEO – European Network for Opera and Dance Education
- Europa Nostra
- European Choral Association-Europa Cantat
- Res Artis
- ACCR – Association des centres culturels de rencontres
- ECF – European Cultural Foundation
- ELIA – European League of Institutes of the Arts
- ENCATC – European Network of Cultural Administration Training Centers
- ECHO – European Concert Hall Organisation
- EMCY – European Union of Music Competitions for Youth
- Eurozine
- ROOTS & ROUTES International Association
- Kunsten ’92
- Banlieues d’Europe
- NCK – Nordic Centre of Heritage Learning and Creativity