“Capacity building on accessibility management for theatre operators”

We Want More! is inviting theatre operators and managers, with or without disabilities, from all over the European Union, Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia), Turkey, and Ukraine, to join the International Capacity building on accessibility management for theatre operators – Improving accessibility and inclusion skills of theatre managers and operators, taking place from 23 to 27 February 2026, at the Teatro della Regina, in Cattolica (Emilia-Romagna, Italy).

This international training course aims to enhance the skills and competencies of theatres operators and managers in creating inclusive theatres, i.e., accessible spaces open and welcoming to all, regardless of their background, abilities, or identities. It will focus on:

  • Fostering diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the performing arts, by promoting equal opportunities and access to the market for disabled artists, performers, crew members, writers, and technicians;
  • Empowering theatre operators and managers across the EU and beyond to include disabled people as team members;
  • Providing theatre operators and managers with economic and management knowledge to develop more inclusive management practices.

The programme takes a comprehensive approach to inclusion, with insights from external international experts (academics, theatre makers, cultural managers and policymakers).

The 5-day course includes sessions with professionals from a wide range of fields related to inclusion in the performing arts. By combining seminars and workshops, it gives participants the opportunity to join discussions and debates on accessibility and inclusion focused on management and policymaking for the performing arts.

The workshop will also serve as a space to share experiences, exchange ideas, and propose real actions for more inclusive management. All training materials, in their different forms and formats, will be gathered in a document, also including practical guidelines, to be disseminated among professionals in the field.

Selection of participants

Applications can be submitted via the website weallneedtheatre.eu until 16 November 2025.

A jury, composed by a representative of each project partner (Teatro São Luiz, FEDAPAS, ATER Fondazione, PLAVO Theatre, THEAMA – Inclusive Theatre, Sommerblut Kulturfestival) and the training scientific supervisor, will select 30 participants.  Applicants will be evaluated based on their motivation letter, and their previous work experience in Theatre, Inclusion and Accessibility. The selection process will aim to create a diverse group, considering equal representation, gender equality, and a balanced number of operators and managers from the different eligible countries (European Union, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine, and Turkey). Participants will be selected no later than 5 December 2025.

All applicants will be notified of the selection results no later than 12 December 2025.

Travel arrangements

For international participants, the organisation will solely cover flight or train arrangements from abroad to Bologna airport or railway station. Each participant will be responsible for arranging any additional travel required to reach Cattolica. For Italian participants, the organisation will only cover travel arrangements by public transportation (train, coach, ferry, flights from main Italian islands). All selected participants will be asked to provide the necessary information for tickets’ purchase and must be available to travel to Cattolica on Sunday 22 February 2026.

Accommodation will be provided in a hotel in Cattolica in a private room (breakfast included).

All lunches in Cattolica will be catered for by the host organisation for the duration of the training (from Monday 23 to Friday 27 February 2026 included). 

Certificate of attendance

A certificate of attendance will be issued by the organising committee to all participants who take part in at least 4 full days of activity.

Programme

The training course will be structured as follows:

  • Monday, 23 February: Concepts of accessibility and Inclusion and Universal design – space and language
  • Tuesday, 24 February: Inclusive events: from planning, budgeting and fundraising to implementation and impact assessment
  • Wednesday, 25 February: Access services and practices – an overview
  • Thursday, 26 February: Voices from the field – Accessibility and Inclusion Managers, and Focus Group
  • Friday, 27 February: Voices from the field: Advocacy and policies

The full programme, along with trainers and experts for each session, will be available soon.

Travel arrangements

For international participants, the organisation will solely cover flight or train arrangements from abroad to Bologna airport or railway station. Each participant will be responsible for arranging any additional travel required to reach Cattolica. For Italian participants, the organisation will only cover travel arrangements by public transportation (train, coach, ferry, flights from main Italian islands). All selected participants will be asked to provide the necessary information for tickets’ purchase and must be available to travel to Cattolica on Sunday 22 February 2026.

Accommodation will be provided in a hotel in Cattolica in a private room (breakfast included).

All lunches in Cattolica will be catered for by the host organisation for the duration of the training (from Monday 23 to Friday 27 February 2026 included). 

IMPORTANT DATES/DEADLINES

Application submission deadline: November 16, 2025
Notification of acceptance/Notification of selection: December 12, 2025

Training course: February 23-27, 2026

Travel dates: February 22-27or 28 2026 – participants will be travelling to Cattolica on Sunday 22 February and will be leaving on Friday 27 or Saturday 28, depending on travel arrangements

To apply please fill in the form.

If you have any question you can contact us on [email protected]