The aim of the project was to combat the development of gender stereotypes and discrimination through a socio-educational approach that utilized artistic language. Starting from the observation of European city statues, the project aimed to raise young people’s awareness of gender stereotypes and prejudices that have influenced the construction and morphological development of the urban landscape surrounding them. From this perspective, another goal was to sensitize young people to gender equality issues. To develop a valid and replicable educational tool capable of using the lenses of art and the observation of statues, it was necessary to train youth workers and the broader educational community in creating new non-formal education pathways. This was achieved through the exchange of best practices in education and awareness-raising, also at the European level. These pathways were designed taking into account the resources and needs identified through discussions between youth workers and young participants.
The project Moving Statues for Gender Equality (MuST GEn) was developed to address gender inequalities in Italy and Greece, two countries ranking among the lowest in the EU for gender equality and with a high incidence of gender-based violence. MuST GEn introduced a workshop based on accessible body-centered artistic languages, fostering personal and collective awareness among young participants. This approach has left a significant legacy, providing a replicable model to challenge gender inequalities and build a more inclusive society. With an innovative combination of formal and non-formal education and the use of artistic languages, the project addressed the need for greater awareness among young people about gender stereotypes. It promoted active and inclusive participation and reflection on the issue, supporting pathways for listening to others and for young people’s self-empowerment within their urban spaces, encouraging a renewed relationship with public spaces. The cooperation between MICCE and ROES enriched the pedagogical skills of the professionals involved, expanding the audience reached and amplifying the project's impact.