The goal of the Storytelling for Europe project was to support collaboration between the educational and youth sectors, develop the values and character of the younger generation, and promote the conscious acceptance of social responsibility. The project also responded to challenges related to the war in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for solidarity and empathy towards vulnerable groups, including refugees. Through sensitive storytelling, the project strengthened young people's digital, language, social, and civic competencies. It focused on fostering a more empathetic understanding of peers and adults overcoming social barriers, as well as promoting education in European citizenship and solidarity. Specific objectives included: Developing the competencies of youth with dyslexia and visual impairments through audiostorytelling and ebooks. Improving language teaching by working with stories that connect language, culture, and the environment. Increasing motivation among excluded young people through inspirational role models. Supporting storytelling in academic and language education. The project responded to current global challenges and supported the values of inclusion, solidarity, and responsibility, contributing to a better
EDUMA created the Online Living Library in 2015-2016, a tool using storytelling to develop young people's competencies. The portal with video testimonials, methodologies, and webinars helped develop language, digital, social, and civic skills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of users grew to over 1800, revealing the need for expansion with new tools, methodologies, and applications for online collaboration. The outbreak of the war in Ukraine emphasized the need for reflection and support for vulnerable groups, which strengthened the importance of storytelling in developing emotional and social resilience. The project expanded the youth sector with new e-learning opportunities and the engagement of young people. It provided schools with tools for working with diverse groups of students, including those with special needs, and offered the business sector innovations to support diversity and young talents. The project connected formal and informal education, prepared young people for the labor market, and allowed responses to current global challenges, including the war in Ukraine, contributing to inclusion and improving the educational environment.