RCA partners on VOICE project to shape the future of sustainability through the synergy of art, tech and society

As communities globally experience shifts in economic and social dynamics, with an increasing trend towards urbanisation, new challenges emerge. The VOICE project acknowledges the imperative to collectively generate, share, and transfer multifaceted knowledge. This knowledge is seen as a powerful tool to empower diverse stakeholders and communities to actively engage in addressing the complex issues associated with environmental and ecological sustainability. Recognising the transdisciplinary nature of these challenges, the VOICE consortium advocates for critical approaches to how technologies are designed, who benefits from them, and who contributes to their development. This understanding aligns with the goals outlined in the Green Deal, emphasising the need for a holistic approach that considers the diverse facets of human agency, including citizens, industries, and governments integral to environmental ecosystems. The project brings together eight partners from six countries. Over the next thirty months, VOICE will receive a total funding of 1.3 million EUR from the European Commission's Horizon Europe programme.

VOICE aims to foster dialogue, creativity, and co-creation among citizens, industry, and diverse stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on building a vibrant Community of Practice. By leveraging arts and cultural institutions as platforms for collaboration, VOICE seeks to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem where individuals from different backgrounds and disciplines come together. By integrating diverse creative expressions and digital innovation into 'real world' contexts, the project team sets out to inspire citizens and industry to think creatively and differently about the challenges posed by sustainability.

"Sustainability is not just a goal; it's a shared journey that involves the active participation of citizens, industries, and communities. VOICE envisions a future where our collective creativity and collaboration lead to innovative solutions for environmental and ecological challenges," says Ana Solange Leal, project coordinator from INOVA+.

VOICE proposes a distinctive 'artist-driven' approach, positioning interventions as catalysts for multi-stakeholder communities to engage in dialogue and collaborate on co-designed green and digital solutions. These interventions, known as Art-Technology-Society Interactions (ATSI), will serve as vital platforms for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and transfer within the VOICE ecosystem.

Taking a coordinated approach with shared aims, definitions, and intentions, VOICE employs an Inclusive Design methodology that underpins all engagements. This unique methodology aims to showcase innovative approaches to sustainable design, production, and consumption, inspiring both citizens and industry to think creatively and differently about the challenges posed by sustainability.

"VOICE represents a transformative shift in how we approach environmental sustainability," says Ana Solange Leal. "By leveraging the power of art, technology, and society interactions, we believe we can inspire meaningful change and contribute to developing a more resilient ecosystem."

The VOICE consortium promotes a critical perspective on the design of technologies, questioning the beneficiaries and contributors to their development. Notably, the project contends that solutions should not be solely market or technology-driven. Instead, they should be concern-driven, necessitating a deeper engagement with the environmental problems, concerns, and interests of various groups in a collaborative 'dialogue' platform.

In essence, the VOICE project represents a departure from traditional, technology-centric solutions. It emphasises the importance of inclusive, concern-driven approaches that involve a wide range of perspectives. It aims to spark meaningful change in addressing pressing environmental and ecological sustainability issues by fostering collaboration and dialogue through artist-driven interventions.

The Royal College of Art is one of eight project partners, alongside INOVA+, Stichting WAAG Society, University College Dublin, EURICE, FutureFocus21c, RISE and Brunel University London.