The Act Out project wanted to counteract social fragmentation & polarisation among young people in Sweden & Austria by introducing innovative participatory learning methods. The goal was to equip youth facilitators with the Forum Theatre Methodology of Polarisation (MoP), enabling them to address issues of discrimination, social divide & intercultural tension in creative & constructive ways. Specifically, Act Out sought to: 1. Develop & adapt MoP tools for diverse contexts through data collection & collaborative practice. 2. Train several facilitators from different cultural backgrounds to apply these tools effectively in youth work & adult education settings. 3. Engage at least 150 young people (18–25)—including NEETs & those with migrant or refugee backgrounds—in workshops fostering dialogue, self-expression & empowerment. 4. Create accessible resources, including an Act Out methodology handbook (WP2), an interactive toolbox (WP3) & showcases (WP4), to ensure sustainability & replication beyond the project’s lifetime. By achieving these objectives, Act Out aimed to strengthen civic participation & intercultural understanding, while providing youth with skills & confidence to overcome barriers & fostering social cohesion.
The Act Out project was launched to tackle growing social fragmentation and polarisation in Europe, which limits interaction between culturally diverse youth and fosters stereotypes and discrimination. Both partners behind this project (i.e., FTS and BEST) observed that traditional learning approaches fail to engage disadvantaged young people — especially NEETs and those with migrant or refugee backgrounds — whose motivation and trust in formal education are low. The project addresses the need for innovative and inclusive methods that promote dialogue and active participation. By using Forum Theatre (FT) and the Methodology of Polarisation (MoP), Act Out equips youth facilitators with creative tools to help young people aged (mainly) 18–25 to express themselves, challenge oppressive attitudes and build skills for civic engagement. It also creates safe spaces for intercultural exchange, reducing barriers to education and social inclusion. Ultimately, the project responds to the urgent demand for participatory learning environments that foster empowerment, social cohesion and equal opportunities.