We aimed to (1) facilitate cross-cultural collaboration among young artists in different countries through a structured, mentored online process; (2) strengthen participants’ digital skills and confidence for creating and sharing art in digital environments; (3) promote inclusion and non-discrimination by intentionally engaging young people with fewer opportunities (including LGBT+ participants) and embedding inclusive practices into project design; and (4) demonstrate alternative forms of artistic participation and youth engagement through a digital-first approach and a final public showcase.
We applied for this Erasmus+ project because we identified a clear need for accessible, inclusive, and cross-border artistic opportunities for young people, especially young artists with fewer opportunities who faced geographic, social, economic, disability-related, and discrimination-related barriers to participation in traditional art spaces. We also recognized the need to strengthen young people’s digital readiness and to provide safe, non-discriminatory environments for creative self-expression and civic dialogue (including for LGBTQIA+ young people).