With Creative Future Citizen, Jean-Michel and Nathalie Crapanzano / The Gardens of Eden together with the East Belgium–based organization ZIKUWI present a two-year Erasmus+ project that brings together art, education, society, and future-oriented thinking.
Supported by a grant from the European Union, the project understands creativity as a fundamental human capacity and a key competence for a rapidly changing world.
Creative Future Citizen is the central and defining project of ZIKUWI and forms the conceptual and structural foundation of the organization’s work in East Belgium. At the same time, the project grows out of the long-standing artistic, pedagogical, and research-based practice of Jean-Michel and Nathalie Crapanzano.

United by a shared vision, the project partners understand art not as a finished
product, but as a living process with social relevance and transformative potential.
Through workshops in Heerlen and Eupen, The Gardens of Eden and ZIKUWI accompany participants on their path toward becoming creative citizens of the future. At the heart of the project lies the free development of each person’s creative potential—independent of background, age, or prior experience. Creative Future Citizen is neither political nor ideological in nature and is explicitly conceived as an open space that welcomes all perspectives, backgrounds, and worldviews.

The project explores innovative educational models that place the visualization of the “Future Citizen” at their core, inspired by the graphic works and artistic research of Jean-Michel Crapanzano. Conceptually, Creative Future Citizen is guided by the principles of permaculture: care for the earth, care for people, and fair sharing.

A further key focus of the project is Virtual Reality. Drawing on the expertise of ZIKUWI and Jana Rusch, immersive technologies are explored as tools for perception, empathy, and social responsibility. VR becomes a space for learning, perspective-shifting, and active engagement with questions of the future.

Anchored in a strong Euregio collaboration between the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany, Creative Future Citizen strengthens cross-border exchange and contributes to the development of sustainable networks across art, education, and society.

Partner ZIKUWI:
https://zikuwi.org/creative-future-citizen

Jana Rusch:
https://jana-rusch.be/

Workshop Heerlen: "Roots and belonging: stories through Nature"

"Uitnodiging voor de workshop Creative Future Citizens in samenwerking met ZIKUWI Eupen: “Roots and Belonging: Stories through Nature”

Op zaterdag 6 juni van 10:00 tot 16:00 organiseert Jean-Michel Crapanzano een rustige en creatieve bijeenkomst in de permacultuurtuin De Dobbeltuin in Heerlen.

Samen staan we op een open en eenvoudige manier stil bij vragen zoals:
Waar kom ik vandaan?
Waar voel ik mij thuis?
Hoe groei en verander ik?
En welk verhaal draag ik met mij mee?

De natuur helpt ons om thema’s zoals verbondenheid, verandering, groei en onze relatie met de wereld om ons heen te onderzoeken.

Je hoeft geen kunstenaar te zijn.
Je hoeft niet goed te kunnen tekenen.
Twijfel je? Dan is deze workshop juist ook voor jou.

We gebruiken de tuin, planten, bomen, bladeren, stenen en andere natuurlijke materialen als inspiratie om onszelf uit te drukken. Dat kan op verschillende manieren: schrijven, praten, knippen, plakken, iets maken met materialen uit de tuin of een kleine schets maken als je dat wilt.

 Wat gaan we doen?

• Een rustige wandeling door de tuin
• Storytelling en het delen van ervaringen in een kleine groep, alleen als je dat wilt
• Het maken van een persoonlijk werk met natuurlijke materialen
• Eenvoudig creatief werken zonder druk of verwachtingen

Het gaat niet om perfectie, maar om een eerlijk en persoonlijk proces.

Deze workshop maakt deel uit van het internationale Erasmus+ project Creative Future Citizens. Deelnemers worden onderdeel van een groter internationaal artistiek proces rond natuur, verbondenheid, verandering en toekomst.

Als je dat wilt, kunnen jouw werk en verhaal later verder leven als onderdeel van een hedendaags internationaal virtual reality-project.

Voor wie? Voor volwassenen uit Heerlen, Eupen en omgeving die interesse hebben in natuur, verhalen, creativiteit en ontmoeting in een rustige en open sfeer.

Ervaring is niet nodig.
Iedereen is welkom.

 Waarom deelnemen?

• Je ontmoet andere mensen in een warme en veilige sfeer
• Je ontdekt jouw verhaal via natuur en creativiteit
• Je wordt deel van het internationale kunstproject Creative Future Citizens
• En je brengt een inspirerende dag door in de natuur

Met steun van Erasmus+ worden tijdens de workshop ook lunch, snacks en drankjes voorzien voor de deelnemers.

Kom zoals je bent.
Nieuwsgierigheid is genoeg.

Gesproken talen:
Nederlands en Engels

Meer informatie:
www.pioneers-now.com
Inschrijving: [email protected]

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 Invitation to the Creative Future Citizens workshop in collaboration with ZIKUWI Eupen
“Roots and Belonging: Stories through Nature”

On Saturday, June 6th from 10:00 to 16:00, Jean-Michel Crapanzano will host a calm and creative gathering in the permaculture garden De Dobbeltuin in Heerlen.

Together, we will reflect in an open and simple way on questions such as:
Where do I come from?
Where do I feel at home?
How do I grow and change?
And what story do I carry within me?

Nature will help us explore themes of belonging, transformation, growth, and our connection to the world around us.

You do not need to be an artist.
You do not need to know how to draw.
If you are unsure, then this workshop is especially for you.

We will use the garden, plants, trees, leaves, stones, and other natural materials as inspiration to express ourselves. This can happen in many different ways: writing, talking, cutting, collaging, creating with materials from the garden, or making small sketches if you wish.

 What will we do?

• A calm walk through the garden
• Storytelling and sharing experiences in a small group, only if you want to
• Creating a personal artwork using natural materials
• Simple creative work without pressure or expectations

This is not about perfection, but about an honest and personal process.

This workshop is part of the international Erasmus+ project Creative Future Citizens. Participants become part of a larger international artistic process focused on nature, belonging, transformation, and the future.

If you wish, your work and story may later continue to live as part of a contemporary international virtual reality project.

 Who is this for?

For adults from Heerlen, Eupen, and surrounding areas who are interested in nature, storytelling, creativity, and meeting others in a calm and open atmosphere.

No experience is needed.
Everyone is welcome.

 Why participate?

• Meet others in a warm and safe atmosphere
• Explore your own story through nature and creativity
• Become part of the international art project Creative Future Citizens
• Spend an inspiring day in nature

With the support of Erasmus+, lunch, snacks, and drinks will also be provided during the workshop.

Come as you are.
Curiosity is enough.

Languages spoken:
Dutch and English

More information:
www.pioneers-now.com
Inscription: [email protected]

PLANNING KICK-OFF 

Official Opening of the Erasmus+ Project “Creative Future Citizen” in the Netherlands

Creative Future Citizen

Sunday, 15 March 2026 | 14:00 – 17:00
Heerlen, Promenade 29, 6411 JB, Netherlands

14:00 – 15:00
Informal Arrival and Welcome Reception

15:00 – 15:15
Presentation of the Activities and Current Developments of the Gardens of Eden
(Jean-Michel & Nathalie)

15:15 – 15:45
Presentation and Kick-off of the Project

We will introduce the project, the planned workshops, and the objectives of the programme. Interested participants will receive an initial insight into the content and the opportunities for participation.
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Official Opening of the Erasmus+ Project “Creative Future Citizen” in Belgium

Participatory Exhibition & Book Presentation by Jean-Michel Crapanzano

Friday, 24 April 2026 at 19:00
Sunday, 26 April 2026 | 14:00 – 18:00

Eupen, Rathausplatz 5, 4700 Eupen, Belgium

Official Opening of the Erasmus+ Project “Creative Future Citizen” in Belgium

with a welcome reception and live music

Short presentation of the project:

Artist talk with the art historian Miriam Elebe and the project initiators Jana Rusch and Jean-Michel Crapanzano

Presentation of the project, the exhibition, and the book by Jean-Michel Crapanzano

The discussion will take place in German and French.

www.zikuwi.org