Through the British Council’s People to People programme, Aurelija Pluke and her colleagues have been implementing the Dialogue Communities project, supporting cultural and civic organisations across Lithuania to strengthen resilience and foster social cohesion.
The project engages participants in creative sessions, interactive exercises, and collaborative mapping of networks. Through creative workshops and community events, it helps communities connect, open up space for dialogue, and create inclusive environments where diverse voices and perspectives can be acknowledged and valued.
‘At the heart of community life is the ability to listen and connect,’ says Aurelija, who
works with the association Kūrybinės jungtys (Creative Connections).
Alongside her work in community dialogue, Aurelija has a personal passion for mushrooms and mycology — she even hosts a TV show on Lithuania’s national broadcaster LRT dedicated to the topic. It is this unique combination of professional dedication and personal curiosity that makes her approach to community building so distinctive.