📅 Implementation: 3 Nov 2025 – 2 May 2028 (30 months)
💶 Total Budget: €2,500,326.98 | ERDF Contribution: €1,598,284.00
🤝 Partners: 2 cultural organisations
🎯 Type: Standard project | Culture & Sustainable Tourism | RS04.6

Summary

TRANSMAT connects Debrecen (Hungary) and Timișoara (Romania) through contemporary art, design, and creative cooperation. The project uses artistic expression and innovation to transform knowledge into culture, encouraging cooperation between artists, designers, and local communities on both sides of the border.

By combining modernised cultural spaces, joint exhibitions, and creative exchanges, TRANSMAT promotes dialogue, inclusion, and sustainable cultural growth. It reflects the principles of the New European Bauhaus - beauty, sustainability, and togetherness - by showing how art and design can improve the quality of life and strengthen cross-border identity.

Project Aim

To strengthen cross-border cultural cooperation and promote contemporary art and design as tools for social innovation, regional identity, and sustainable development.

Objectives

✅ Deepen public understanding of art, design, and regional identity
✅ Foster trust and curiosity toward culture and partner institutions
✅ Empower and connect artists and designers across Europe
✅ Create a scalable model for cross-border cooperation
✅ Build lasting cultural and professional networks

Key Activities & Results

🔹 MODEM Centre – Debrecen: Extension and modernisation of the Modern and Contemporary Art Centre, adding 1,340 m² of new exhibition and community spaces and improving energy efficiency to create a more sustainable cultural venue.

🔹 FABER Pavilion – Timișoara: Construction of a multifunctional, weather-protected pavilion designed for creative workshops, exhibitions, and public gatherings, supporting long-term cultural exchange.

🔹 Cross-Border Cultural Programme: A joint travelling exhibition showcasing innovative works in art and design, developed by artists and designers from both countries.

🔹 Tourism and Cultural Strategy: Development of a joint tourism strategy to increase the visibility of the region’s contemporary culture and strengthen its position as a creative destination.

🔹 Visitor Growth: Expansion of cultural participation with an increase in annual visitors - from 45,000 to 47,000 - as a result of improved facilities and programming.

Partnership

Lead Partner: MODEM Modern and Contemporary Art Centre Ltd. (HU)
Project Partner: FABER Association (RO)

TRANSMAT redefines how art, design, and knowledge shape communities. By modernising cultural spaces and fostering creative exchange between Debrecen and Timișoara, the project builds a bridge of innovation, inclusion, and shared identity. It shows how cross-border culture can inspire people to imagine a more creative, sustainable, and connected future.

For more details, consult the project fact sheet. 

📝 Disclaimer: The banner image is AI-generated and for illustration only.