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Nuo Žemės iki Žvaigždžių ir Atgal

2023-3-LT02-KA152-YOU-0001809542023Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: LT|ES|SI · Grant: €19,034.4
Physical and mental health, well-beingPreventing racism and discriminationCreativity, arts and culture

Objectives

In September 2024, an international Erasmus+ youth exchange project "From Earth to Stars and Back" took place in Molėtai, Lithuania, where young people from Lithuania, Spain, and Slovenia gathered for a common project. Based on the themes that project participants identified as relevant and important for further discussion during the 2023 Erasmus+ youth exchange in Slovenia, the focus of the 2024 youth exchange in Lithuania was shaped to address these topics in response to the needs of the youth and to maintain continuity in the project. We deepened our exploration of the following themes: youth mental and emotional health, reduction of discrimination, LGBT. During the youth exchange, we set this goal: to contribute to the improvement of youth mental health and the reduction of discrimination through experiential and stress-relieving activities. We outlined the following objectives: to present the situation in each country, share research, best practices, and discuss the factors influencing mental health, explore methods to reduce tension and stress through activities such as role-playing, walking, dancing, drawing, and stargazing. We aimed to learn methods of self-liberation, stress reduction, and create a short film and artistic performances reflecting the themes of the project. Through role-playing activities, we simulated how discriminated people feel, attempted to understand the internal conflicts they face, and how this impacts their mental health. With this project, we aimed for young people to not only learn more about mental health, discrimination, and ways to reduce it but also to delve into LGBT issues and enhance their general competences. They were to gain insight into the management aspects of an Erasmus+ project, evaluate their cultural identity, improve their cultural knowledge, and communicate with international partners using various informal communication methods. A significant focus during the exchange was placed on developing the skills of the youth, the importance of their opinions, strengthening common values, and rejecting preconceptions and negative stereotypes. In forming the groups, we aimed to maintain the project's continuity. Therefore, each country's group included 2-3 participants who had taken part in the 2023 exchange "From the Earth to the Stars" in Slovenia and could share their acquired experiences. At the same time, we ensured that the project also included young people for whom the Erasmus+ program and its opportunities were new, those who had not participated in similar projects or had never been abroad. As much as possible, we tried to create favorable conditions for young people with fewer opportunities to get involved in the project. One of the reasons why this project was organized in the Lithuanian region of Molėtai, where many rural areas are located, was to help youth from smaller towns understand that the Erasmus+ program offers the same opportunities to young people regardless of whether they live in a city or a rural area.

Project partners (3)