Sorin Sirkus’
International Activities
Sorin Sirkus is an active participant and respected expert in European youth circus networks. We work weekly with international connections, for example, planning and implementing mobility and project cooperation.
International cooperation supports the development of circus education, the growth of young people and intercultural understanding. It is a central part of the identity and impact of Sorin Sirkus.
What kind of international activities do we help enable?
Sorin Sirkus develops the circus field in collaboration with other European circus schools. Our professional staff share their expertise by training other circus practitioners, for example in the fields of social circus and project coordination.
In 2022, Sorin Sirkus was granted an Erasmus+ accreditation—recognition of high-quality, committed and impactful youth work. Through the funding enabled by the accreditation, we implement international mobilities such as youth exchanges and staff training exchanges between circus schools.
ERASMUS+ accreditation
Erasmus+ is a funding instrument for organizations that have international learning mobility as part of their long-term strategy. Accreditation is applied for from the applicant organization’s national agency and is granted for the entire Erasmus+ program period 2021–2027. The aim of Erasmus+ accreditation in the youth sector is to enable the long-term planning and implementation of international youth activities. Annual funding enables, among other things, youth exchanges and staff exchanges.
The European Union or the National Board of Education is not responsible for the content or materials produced by Sorin Sirkus.
Training programs for trainers
Sorin Sirkus is a highly valued expert organisation both on local level and abroad. We have been training other circus professionals in contexts of social circus and project management. Read more below about our contribution to share our expertise. Registration for this years programs is now open!
The training focuses on learning and sharing methods for baby, toddler and family circus activities. During the training, participants get to explore a lot of practical exercises and discuss about the meanings of the proposed approach with facilitation of experienced instructors. The aim is to encourage circus trainers to use more baby and family circus techniques in their work and ensure the safety of the movements.
Details of Baby and Family Circus training:
- Date: Thu 15th – Fri 16th October, 2026 (2 days + 2 travel days)
- Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM on both days
- Location: Sorin Sirkus, Ahlmanintie 63, Tampere, Finland
- Maximum number of participants: 25
- Price: € 50 per participant, to be paid on site by card or cash. Sorin Sirkus will reimburse travel and accommodation costs according to separate instructions below.
- Deadline for registration is Friday 25th September, 2026
This training is designed to share and learn games and activities that are not only perfect for circus teachers but also highly adaptable for anyone working in arts education or group facilitation. The workshop is facilitated by experienced instructors from Sorin Sirkus and Cirkus Cirkör.
Details of Games Exchange:
- Date: Tue 18th – Thu 20th August, 2026 (3 days + 2 travel days)
- Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM all three days
- Location: Sorin Sirkus, Ahlmanintie 63, Tampere, Finland
- Maximum number of participants: 30
- Price: € 50 per participant, to be paid on site by card or cash. Sorin Sirkus will reimburse travel and accommodation costs according to separate instructions below.
- Deadline for registration is Friday 24th July, 2026
The training explores the pedagogical and theoretical foundations behind the games, warm-ups, and participatory group activities used in circus and social circus contexts. Building on the practical methods introduced in previous Game Exchange workshops, this advanced session focuses on facilitation, group dynamics, embodied learning, and trauma-sensitive approaches in practice. The training is facilitated by experienced instructors from Cirqueon and Sorin Sirkus.
Details of Games Exchange: Beyond the Games
- Date: Tue 3th – Wed 4th November, 2026 (2 days + 2 travel days)
- Time: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM on both days
- Location: Sorin Sirkus, Ahlmanintie 63, Tampere, Finland
- Maximum number of participants: 25
- Price: € 50 per participant, to be paid on site by card or cash. Sorin Sirkus will reimburse travel and accommodation costs according to separate instructions below.
- Deadline for registration is Friday 16th October, 2026
Promoting Inclusion and Involvement through Youth Exchanges
Youth exchanges are international gatherings of youth groups that young people plan themselves with the support of their instructors. During the exchanges, young people explore topics that interest them through practical activities to gain a deeper understanding of the chosen themes.
During the years 2022-2025 we have implemented five youth exchanges with 160 participants in total. In the summer 2026 we are going to youth exchanges in Italy and Slovenia with 18 youngsters.
Better together is the biggest ERASMUS+ Youth Exchange project we have led with 60 participants from 5 European countries and Palestine. Better together took place in Tampere, Finland, during summer 2020.
The project gave young people a place to take the leadership to explore issues around global climate concerns and well-being from their own perspectives. The exchange also aimed to support young people to become active members of society, feel more connected to their peers and promote social inclusion and intercultural dialogue, tolerance and diversity. These objectives were approached for example by workshops around well-being and sustainable development, physical circus workshops and cultural activities.
Caravan Circus Network
Sorin Sirkus is a founding member of the Caravan Circus Network, which connects 35 circus schools from 25 countries. The network focuses on the development of youth circus and social circus as well as international circus education. It receives funding from the European Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
The activities are financed partly through the Erasmus+ programme and include training meetings, projects and EU cooperation initiatives. Caravan functions as a Europe-wide expert network for circus education. Sorin Sirkus actively participates in projects promoting equality, arts education and cultural exchange. The Director of Sorin Sirkus, Taina Kopra, serves as the Chair of the Caravan Board.
CTF – Circus TransFormation
Sorin Sirkus is involved in the Circus TransFormation project, which is developing international training for social circus instructors. One of the main achievements of the projects is an Erasmus+-funded training programme which consists of four week-long modules with different theme. Each training week is arranged in different European country. The CTF training programme is organized and participated by several circus schools within the Caravan Network.
The programme is based on five years of research conducted by eight circus schools and two universities, aiming to strengthen social circus expertise across Europe.CTF training deepens participants’ understanding of their work in circus contexts, enhance their ability to evaluate its impact and helps them recognize how different backgrounds can affect individual opportunities.
The training includes a wide range of exercises, games and activities as well as methods for applying circus techniques to different needs. A key element is reflecting on the goals and meanings behind every activity.
Interested in working with us?
Contact travel@sorinsirkus.fi