By implementing this project we wanted to continue the journey we started in our 2023 project “From Bortistu to Brussels - A Theatrical Approach to Cultural exchange”, where we brought together two youth theatre groups from vastly different environments for a cultural exchange. In 2023, Teater Ung i Fjellregionen, from the Nord-Østerdal region of rural Norway, traveled to Brussels to meet and exchange with English Youth Theatre in the big city. In the follow-up phase of this aforementioned project it became clear that our respective youths felt the project was only half done without experiencing a return exchange in Norway, and so “From Brussels to Bortistu - A return exchange” was born. The overall idea for the project was for our youths to further explore cultural heritage, social and cultural norms and language, while also learning about the environment and their role in its preservation, as well as strengthening their theatrical skills through a joint performance at the end of the project week. We also wanted to give our youths a sense of fulfillment in completing the work they started. The following were the objectives of our project: - Expanding the scope of the project to include other youth participants in both groups. - To continue to foster intercultural dialogue and learning between our youth groups, through cultural non-formal learning activities, as well as social activities and theatrical games. - To improve English language skills, through exchanges between the groups in English, and through performing together in English at the end of the week. - To encourage an interest in the preservation of resources, through learning and sharing experiences of sustainable travel, farm-life and nature. - Creating and performing a play together, based on their shared experiences throughout the entirety of the project, allowing them to process their experience through their shared language of theatre. - Creating and strengthening a new community of international friends. - Giving the youth participants the opportunity to finish the job they started, gaining a sense of achievement and fulfilment. - Give the youth participants from both groups an experience that will stay with them forever, new and strengthened friendships and a growing sense of autonomy.