CURRENT PROJECTS

In the coming months Firefly will be setting up or running the following projects, working with Svitac (formerly Firefly Bosnia) and/or Forest Arts, Edinburgh:

1) Two festivals in Brcko, Bosnia and simultaneously in Edinburgh, Scotland - in June and in September. The first is a festival of song, dance and theatre for children, examining folk music and tales, and ideas of nationality and culture vs. nationalism, that come from them. This has developed from our annual "Scotfest". The second is an international arts festival where artists, musicians and performers from all over the world will participate alongside individuals from throughout the Former Yugoslavia. Again, this is an extension of arts festivals that Firefly has run every year since 1998.

2) A series of three summer camps for children from the Former Yugoslavia; using music and theatre for 12-16 year-olds, and games and activities for younger children. Please see the Firefly Bosnia site for information on previous years' camps, or click here for info about this years' camps and how to apply

3) A project room in the Forest/Firefly/Edinburgh Settlement community centre, Edinburgh, including computers, a printing press, recording studio, and CD burner, to allow individuals to learn computer skills, languages, & other skills, free of charge; take part in and run workshops; record and produce CDs; & print & publish literature.

4) An international publishing project, where we will publish works of collaboration between writers and artists worldwide. This will include works of translation or works written by one individual and illustrated by another. Generally, we'll support works of cultural or political significance that would find it hard to get published in the mainstream press.

5) Setting up and maintaining the Firefly International website to support all these projects and aims. The website will have the following features:

1. A space where individuals or organisations can post descriptions of projects they're setting up in their own and other countries, which can be viewed by others who can contact them about working together on such projects - this will be a space to advertise for partners for your projects.

2. A space containing information about different locations - arts spaces, theatres, galleries - worldwide where individuals can run projects and exhibit their work free of charge.

3. A space where individuals can post information about themselves & their interests if they are willing & available to work on or assist with someone else's project

4. A space with information about organisations worldwide that you can volunteer for (rather than going through volunteer recruitment agencies and paying fees for this), or for events that you can take part in (festivals, summer camps, etc).

5. A space with information about funding available, including guidelines, contact details, application forms that can be downloaded, deadlines, and all information necessary for applying.

6. A 'how-to' section where people who have set up and run specific projects will leave descriptions of how others could go about doing so. This will include evaluations of Firefly projects that have been completed.

7. A space with other resources for charities, NGOs and non-profits, including cheap international phone calls, gifts in kind and IT resources.

8. An ethical living section, with information about ethical banking, shopping, phone and electricity providers.

- Publishing - Summer camps -