The project aimed to raise awareness among 30 young people from partner institutions about cultural heritage, with a focus on traditional dances, within 12 months. It also sought to strengthen the capacities of 3 partner organisations from Romania, Bulgaria and Italy to promote active European citizenship among youth, both during the project and in the long term. Additionally, the project supported the development of artistic, creative, sporting, and digital skills of 30 young participants. At the same time, it improved the methods and strategies of 15 youth workers, with the goal of increasing young people’s interest in preserving traditions by 70%.
The project was directly connected to the needs of our institutions, as in recent years young people in the participating organizations had shown decreasing interest in traditions in general and in traditional dances in particular. In order to better understand this situation, a survey had been conducted among 30 young people from each of the three participating organizations and their communities. The aim was to identify their values, attitudes and behaviour regarding traditions, as well as their level of knowledge about traditional dances. The results revealed that around 70% of the participants do not know any traditional dances, while about 15% know only a few and perform them mainly during specific celebrations or cultural events. In addition, many of them have limited knowledge about the customs and traditions of their own regions. These results highlighted the need to promote cultural heritage among young people and to encourage their active involvement in learning and practicing traditional dances. Through this project, the participating organizations aimed to raise awareness of local traditions, strengthen cultural identity, and promote respect for cultural diversity among young people.