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.
Youth Exchanges
Young people’s wellbeing, participation and engagement form the foundation of our international work. Youth exchanges are international mobility opportunities created with young people, where Finnish participants spend several days visiting a European youth circus organisation abroad and, in return, welcome participants from that organisation to Sorin Sirkus. One-way exchanges are also possible.
Youth exchanges encourage active participation, as young people themselves influence the programme and content of the exchange. They provide opportunities to make new friendships, deepen intercultural understanding, develop independence and support language skills. Exchanges also offer valuable opportunities to travel regardless of a family’s financial situation. Youth exchanges are made possible by Erasmus+ accreditation.
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 participates in the Circus TransFormation project, which develops international training for social circus instructors. Within the project, an Erasmus+-funded training programme has been created and is delivered across four countries through week-long modules involving 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 and enhances their ability to evaluate its impact. It helps them recognise how different backgrounds and regional conditions affect individual opportunities and life paths.
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 of each activity and the impacts it can have on both the group and the individual.
GICS – Global Institute of Circus Studies
Sorin Sirkus is part of the Global Institute of Circus Studies (GICS), an international research network for social circus. Sorin Sirkus continuously monitors global research and collaboration opportunities to further develop its work as a social circus organisation.
Interested in working with us?
Contact travel@sorinsirkus.fi