The goal of the "Growth & Art" project was to support young people in developing soft skills essential for both personal and professional life. By integrating psychology with creative artistic expression, we aimed to enhance participants’ self-awareness, teamwork abilities, empathy, and capacity to manage stress. The project sought to create innovative educational materials that would assist educators in delivering meaningful workshops and remain valuable beyond the project’s duration. Through international collaboration with experts and the involvement of a partner from Spain, the project also aimed to promote cultural diversity and the exchange of experiences. An additional objective was to provide young people with a space to express themselves through art while fostering social connections in a supportive environment. The project was designed not only to impact the individual growth of participants but also to produce lasting educational resources applicable in various contexts.
The "Growth & Art" project was designed to address critical needs among young people in the development of soft skills and stress management. In Poland, formal education predominantly focuses on hard skills, often neglecting interpersonal and personal competencies, which are essential for the labor market and mental well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the need to support young people in coping with uncertainty and stress. This project filled that gap by offering workshops that integrated psychology and art therapy, promoting self-awareness, creativity, and empathy. The educational materials developed by an international team of experts provide tools for educators to deliver meaningful sessions. Moreover, the project aligns with the priorities of the Erasmus+ program by fostering diversity, social inclusion, and enhancing youth employability through the development of soft skills and creative teaching methods. Its implementation enriched educational opportunities at both local and international levels.