European project Common Grounds: merging art and ecology at the Citadel of Marseille 

The Common Grounds Project: reinventing urban and rural spaces

At the heart of this renaissance is the Common Grounds project, which stands out for its ambition to foster a transnational dialogue on soil regeneration and public space renewal. Over 18 months, three partner organizations—Citadel of Marseille, Gradoscope in Bulgaria, and FundacionRia in Spain—will collaborate to explore innovative methods of environmental rehabilitation. This collaborative project will bring together scientists, artists, and citizens with the goal of developing sustainable and artistic practices that address current ecological challenges. 

Key objectives of Common Grounds include the formation of local groups involving experts and citizens, the selection of three artists for a six-month transnational residency, and the creation of a collaborative methodology shared through a three-episode podcast. These initiatives aim to strengthen the transnational creation and circulation of European artworks and artists while raising public awareness about the importance of soil regeneration. 

Essential European support for culture and the environment 

The Common Grounds project was made possible through the support of the European Commission’s Creative Europe program, a crucial fund for the culture and audiovisual sectors in Europe. 

Common Grounds is the result of an intersectoral collaboration that builds on the experiments of the New European Bauhaus and local initiatives. The project partners, each bringing specific expertise, are committed to creating democratic and ecological spaces in areas of historical, industrial, and natural heritage. This project demonstrates how art, science, and citizen participation can come together to revitalize our shared spaces while raising awareness about the importance of soil health. 

Discover all the initiatives of Groupe SOS to improve access to culture.