The EYES project aimed to build a partnership between an Italian youth-focused Association and a Portuguese cultural NGO to develop creative interventions on healthy sexual and romantic relationships for youth aged 18-25. Objectives included: Training youth workers in innovative performing arts tools for engaging youth on sensitive topics. Developing shared guidelines for safely conducting activities with youth. Creating a safe space for diverse youth to express and respect varying sexual/romantic experiences. Helping youth understand healthy relationships in the context of human rights and European values. Disseminating project learnings in youth work and creative arts fields. Outcomes expected: For organizations: Enhanced awareness of performing arts in addressing sensitive topics, and acquisition of safe inclusion strategies. For youth: Increased confidence in discussing experiences and respect for diverse views on sexual/romantic preferences. For other youth workers: Knowledge of project approaches, results, and lessons learned, aiding in wider application. This project supported inclusion, diversity, and reinforced healthy relationships based on human rights norms and EU values.
Our project was initiated to engage youth in discussions about healthy sexual and romantic relationships, responding to a critical need identified in our application. We aimed to share best practices and methodologies for safe interventions on sensitive topics. The project's urgency was highlighted by WHO data, showing a high incidence of intimate partner violence starting in teenage years. We innovatively used performing arts, allowing youth to define what healthy relationships mean to them, differing from traditional violence prevention programs. Digital tools and green travel policies were integral, emphasizing environmental considerations. Research like Eurostat’s "Being Young in Europe 2021" and Harvard's "Making Caring Common" study informed our approach, focusing on the evolving dynamics of young relationships and the importance of addressing youth's sexual and relationship anxieties for their overall wellbeing. Participating organizations shared experiences in addressing sensitive topics with youth, ensuring safety and wellbeing, creating a lasting impact beyond the project’s duration.