As the digital landscape continues to reshape the way artists create, share, and promote their work, the DIGI HELICON project has emerged as a powerful initiative dedicated to supporting current and aspiring artists, especially those from vulnerable and underrepresented groups, to thrive in this evolving environment. Over the past two years, the project has successfully combined digital skills training, artistic mentoring, and community engagement to build new opportunities for creative expression and professional growth across Europe.
Funded under the Erasmus+ programme and implemented by a consortium of eight partners across six European countries, DIGI HELICON was designed to address a pressing need in the cultural and creative sectors: the digital gap that prevents many artists from accessing today’s online platforms, markets, and learning opportunities. With the rapid shift toward digitalisation in artistic and cultural production, many creators—particularly migrants, refugees, women, unemployed adults, LGBTQI+ individuals, and emerging artists—face barriers that limit their visibility and career prospects. DIGI HELICON responded to this challenge by providing an inclusive pathway for artists to develop the digital competences they need to flourish in the creative economy.
A key achievement of the project is the DIGI HELICON Online Course, an open-access, multilingual training programme that guides learners through essential digital tools, online promotion strategies, and creative digital practices. Complemented by the Aspire to Inspire Handbook and a comprehensive Capacity Building Methodology, the project offers a complete suite of resources that educators and cultural organisations can use to support their communities. The Train-the-Trainers module further ensures that the project’s impact extends beyond its duration, equipping adult educators with the knowledge and tools to deliver digital training in their own contexts.
One of the most inspiring components of DIGI HELICON has been the series of national workshops and mentoring sessions, which brought together artists from diverse backgrounds to learn, collaborate, and experiment with new digital approaches. Participants highlighted how the project helped them build confidence, refine their digital presence, and connect with other creatives. These efforts culminated in the DIGI HELICON Virtual Exhibition, an online gallery showcasing the artistic works produced throughout the training journey. The exhibition remains open to the public and stands as a celebration of creativity, resilience, and cultural diversity.
The project also achieved strong dissemination results, reaching thousands of stakeholders through its website, social media channels, newsletters, press releases, and public events. With over 21,000 website views, nearly 4,000 active users, more than 1,300 Instagram reach, and a growing LinkedIn community of 416 followers, DIGI HELICON has succeeded in building a vibrant digital presence and engaging audiences across Europe.
As the project concludes, its impact continues to grow. All training materials, tools, and outputs remain freely accessible, ensuring that artists, educators, NGOs, and cultural institutions can continue to benefit from them. Partners plan to integrate the resources into their ongoing activities, expand collaborations, and encourage broader adoption across the cultural and educational sectors.
DIGI HELICON has demonstrated that digital empowerment is not only a technical challenge but also a pathway to social inclusion, cultural expression, and professional opportunity. Its legacy will endure through the artists it supported, the organisations it strengthened, and the open-access tools it leaves behind—paving the way for a more inclusive and digitally confident creative community.