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Sztuka wyrażania

2024-1-PL01-KA152-YOU-0002382322024Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: PL|BG · Grant: €26,771
Creativity, arts and culturePhysical and mental health, well-being

Objectives

While implementing the project “The Art of Expression,” our aim was to create a safe, international space for young people to grow through art, culture, and shared creative experience. The project sought to combine artistic activities with reflection on mental well-being and the strengthening of young people’s sense of agency, in the spirit of non-formal education. Our objectives can be divided into several areas. The first objective was to develop participants’ ability to express themselves through various forms of art – painting, drawing, street art, and architecture – and to show young people that art can serve as a tool for building identity and regulating emotions. The project was designed to enable participants to explore new cultural fields and gain practical creative experience. The second important objective was to support young people’s mental health through art-based elements, reflection circles, and the introduction of relaxation and mindfulness techniques. We wanted participants to learn how to recognize and name their emotions and to develop the ability to take care of their own well-being. The third objective was to strengthen social and intercultural competences – openness to diversity, cooperation in an international group, overcoming communication barriers, and building relationships based on respect. An important aspect was also involving young people in the real co-creation of the programme and giving them responsibility for selected activities. Another objective was to develop language competences, especially confidence in communicating in English, as well as organizational skills such as planning, teamwork, and implementing artistic mini-projects. The project also had an inclusive dimension – we aimed to involve young people with fewer opportunities, including those on the autism spectrum and those experiencing emotional difficulties, and to create conditions in which each person could fully participate in the activities. At the organizational level, our goal was to strengthen the partnership between organizations from Poland and Bulgaria, develop competences in implementing international youth projects, and build lasting relationships that would enable further cooperation. From the very beginning, one of our most important goals was to ensure the real and consistent involvement of young people in all stages of the project. Young people were engaged already at the stage of developing the project concept and writing the first application. They co-decided on the theme of the exchange, proposed artistic activities, and identified mental health topics that were important to them. After receiving the information that the first application had not been funded, the young participants took part in analysing the feedback and revising and improving the second version of the application. Thanks to this, they had a sense of shared responsibility for the project from the very beginning. During the preparation phase, we wanted participants to co-create the mobility programme, organize specific workshops, plan activities, contact experts, co-decide on logistical matters, and prepare materials. During the mobilities, they co-facilitated workshops for their peers, implemented mini-projects, and actively participated in daily reflection circles. After the activities were completed, they were involved in evaluation, summarizing the outcomes, and disseminating the project results.

Project partners (2)