Through research among our youth groups and discussion with our partners, we defined the issues as follows: a) They are making choices (choosing the university, finding a job which brings them money, but not happiness, attending specific classes and hobbies) because they “suppose to” – doesn’t matter if the pressure comes from the family, teachers, or society in general. b) They are not used to critical reading, therefore they are not recognizing demagogy, distinguishing the facts from claims, etc. c) They are unaware of how culture is influencing their thinking and behavior. d) They are strengthening the “unhealthy patterns” (e.g. gender inequality in society through accepting cultural stories and passing them further). Their needs are: • to learn how to defend themselves against manipulation from media, advertisement, but also in personal life • to learn how to get free from social norms and expectation and gain personal sense freedom and accountability • to recognize and get in touch with their own dreams and goals • to express their own opinions, ideas, thoughts, and to be heard by society • to create a support system which helps them to carry on when life beats them down. • to be accepted by society as they are, without the need to fit into boxes We want to equip youngsters with media literacy competence due to which they will be less vulnerable towards media and advertisement manipulation and political demagogy, they will be more capable of researching the topic and making an opinion based on broad research. We will also support them to see how inequality in a society is being created and strengthen and let them come up with ideas what to do about it. We let them craft and tell their own social message offered in a form of storytelling performance. We want to give them a voice so they are brave enough to take a step for themselves, make a decision despite social pressure, and support creation of the world they want to live in - the world which works for everyone. We let them experience a multicultural environment and bring them closer in touch with European values. Thanks to the storytelling products of the project, the idea of social inclusion will get spread over the boundaries of the project, will get more visibility and influence more people. With a common vision for FREEDOM – freedom of choice, of thinking, freedom from invisible chains of manipulations which are subduing the masses – we set up a GOAL to: “Support people with understanding to the cultural stories and how they are shaping their perception of reality, and acting freely uninfluenced by their manipulative power.” A) To bring 54 participants from 9 countries (from which at least 40 % of them will be with fewer opportunities) to main activity B) To analyze cultural stories of involved countries, define the hidden messages passed through them, understand how they are shaping the thinking of people and to exchange them C) To bring attention to European values, understanding when are cultural stories clashing with them, and opening a discussion about possibilities what to do with it. D) To support participants with understanding how they were shaped by their cultural stories, and help them with creating strategies on how to become more resistant towards hidden messages contained inside of these stories E) To support participants with realizing and naming their personal values and way of life they want to live, and with forming them to the stories they would like to live in F) To enhance competencies useful in personal and professional life, mainly: communication and presentation skills, listening, understanding, critical reading, teamwork, and – of course – storytelling G) To organize a public performance for national (Dutch) community where participants will perform with stories they believe society should hear H) To ensure that the dissemination and the evaluation of the project will happen