Our project aimed to address the importance of youth mental and physical health within themes of cultural diversity and EU solidarity, by bringing together young people from 7 EU countries for an exchange themed around wellbeing and creativity. With the ongoing impact of the COVID pandemic on youth worldwide, and particularly on youth mental health, the partners felt it was vital to provide opportunities to support youth wellbeing that are led by their needs and delivered in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment. Our objectives were to: • highlight and explore the importance of mental health and the impact of COVID on young people • explore how creative activities can improve wellbeing • create an open forum for discussion around mental health that is led by the young people and empowers them to share ideas/experiences • support development of practical tools for improving wellbeing, delivered in a creative, engaging setting • support youth to relate/feel more connected to peers from other cultures, promoting social inclusion, solidarity and intercultural dialogue, and reducing feelings of loneliness Through the project, we addressed the following needs: • the need for young people to have access to simple but effective techniques that they use to support their wellbeing day-to-day in the recovery from the pandemic • the need for wellbeing support that is delivered informally in engaging and accessible ways that are led by the wants, needs and interests of the young people, and accessible to youth with fewer opportunities • the need for young people from all walks of life to feel connected to others to reduce stigma and loneliness, and develop a sense of belonging and inclusion • the need for young people to have a safe and open forum to share experiences and discuss topics that are important to them • the need for young people to be empowered to express their feelings and perspectives, using creative activities as an engaging tool Activities included practical workshops on mental wellbeing, physical circus workshops and cultural activities. The exchange culminated with the young people taking part in Europe’s largest participatory tightwire spectacle ‘LifeLine’ which was produced by Galway Community Circus and took place on 16th July ‘22 in Galway, Ireland. We chose to work with the young people using funambulism - tightwire with a balance pole - as it is an evidence-based activity proven to support increased positive wellbeing (scientific research by Universite Libre de Bruxelles - www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6FQhX32t74). Tightwire also represents crossing societal boundaries - on the wire everyone is equal. The project helped to promote understanding between youth from different cultures and backgrounds by encouraging them to work together. Together they explored how mental health affects people from all cultures/backgrounds, which helped to challenge stigma and decrease feelings of isolation. Through group discussion and activities they explored commonalities and differences with their EU peers, promoting inclusion, understanding and empathy. Exploration of other cultures was encouraged through sharing of cultural practices, such as food, music etc. A key aim of the exchange was for the young people to be able to express themselves creatively, with circus being a powerful tool to express and communicate feelings of the performers. The young people created a funambulism performance that formed a key part of the LifeLine Spectacle that took place on 16th July ‘22 (day 8 the of exchange). Creating a group performance in a short time encouraged development of concentration, discipline, cohesion and trust between the young people while giving a clear, engaging goal to work towards. LifeLine was a high-profile EU project themed around mental health and funambulism, produced by Galway Community Circus. The project culminated in Europe’s largest-ever participatory funambulism spectacle, with over 100 community participants, youth circus performers and professional highwire artists coming together to perform a stunning spectacle on 7 highwires rigged across the Claddagh Basin and River Corrib in Galway City. LifeLine was a highlight of the Galway International Arts Festival, and offered the youth exchange participants a unique experience to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime event alongside peers and professionals from across EU The site of the LifeLine Spectacle was chosen due to its significance to the Galwegian community. The River Corrib is iconic in the personality of the city, but also represents great loss having been a site of suicide. LifeLine aspired to reinfuse life, hope and courage into a landscape carrying great sadness and beauty, drawing on the transformative power of circus arts to deliver wellbeing impact for participants and provoke conversation on mental health across EU.