The “Reclaim your Body” project aims to empower young people and youth workers through the use of physical theater as an innovative tool for self-exploration, emotional well-being, and social inclusion. By implementing this project, we seek to address urgent needs in the field of youth work, particularly in the wake of the social and emotional impact left by the COVID-19 pandemic on younger generations. We aim to help participants rediscover and unlock their bodies as a means to express repressed emotions, reconnect with their inner selves, and improve their overall well-being. In an era where social isolation and digitalization have led to alarming levels of anxiety, stress, and emotional disconnection among young people, this project offers practical and sustainable solutions. Main objectives of the project: - Foster emotional management and body awareness: Through techniques based on physical theater, such as the methods of Theodoros Terzopoulos, The Body Speaks by Lorna Marshall, and Viewpoints by Anne Bogart, participants will learn to better understand and manage their emotions. They will develop skills to identify and release emotional tensions through breathing, movement, and physical expression. - Provide practical tools for youth workers: This project will train educators and youth workers in innovative methodologies that can be integrated into their daily activities. By implementing these techniques in their communities, they will be able to address issues such as anxiety and social disconnection, promoting the emotional well-being of the young people they work with. - Combat disconnection and social isolation: Through group dynamics and collaborative exercises, such as physical improvisations and collective narratives, participants will explore how their bodies can communicate emotions and build meaningful connections. This will strengthen their interpersonal skills and foster a network of social support within and beyond the group. - Promote social inclusion: The project is designed to include young people with fewer opportunities, such as those with disabilities or from rural areas. Activities will be accessible and adaptable, ensuring that all participants can contribute and benefit from the process. - Create sustainable impact in local and broader communities: We aim for the techniques learned during the project to extend beyond the direct participants. By creating a digital toolbox that will include exercises, dynamics, and best practices, youth workers and participating organizations will have access to reusable resources that can be replicated in their local communities. Furthermore, each organization will host multiplier events to share the project’s learnings, maximizing its impact at regional, national, and European levels. Focus on youth work practice: From a youth work perspective, this project addresses a critical gap in training and resources available to support the emotional well-being of young people. The lack of practical and creative tools to manage emotions, combined with growing social disconnection, has made it increasingly difficult for youth workers to meet the emotional needs of new generations. This project offers an accessible, innovative, and effective approach that not only transforms young people but also strengthens educators’ capacity to build more resilient and cohesive communities. Ultimately, “Reclaim your Body” aspires to be more than a training program: it aims to be a catalyst for change. Through the power of physical theater, we seek to unlock participants’ emotional and creative potential, build meaningful support networks, and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and empathetic approach to youth work.