The Joyful Body: Somatic Tools for Youth Workers was created to provide an innovative, non-formal learning space where youth workers can explore both the inner dimensions of the body (somatic training, self-awareness, resilience, and the role of proper nutrition) and the outer expressions of the body (creative movement, mobility, coordination, and playful activities). The aim is to equip youth workers with practical, body-based tools that enhance their own wellbeing and provide impactful, engaging methods for working with young people. Youth workers are often tasked with creating safe, inclusive environments while facing challenges such as stress, burnout, and limited resources for non-verbal, experiential learning. At the same time, many young people, particularly those from marginalized or disadvantaged backgrounds, experience disconnection from their bodies, low confidence, poor nutritional habits, and limited opportunities for creative expression. Traditional youth work tends to prioritize cognitive or verbal methods, leaving untapped the potential of embodied, movement-based learning for fostering inclusion, empowerment, and resilience. As Deane Juhan reminds us in Job’s Body, “Every change in the body is also a change in the mind; movement and awareness shape our capacity to think, feel, and act.” Likewise, “The nervous system learns through movement. To refine our movements is to refine our capacity for perception, adaptation, and expression.” Nutrition plays a vital role in this process as well: healthy dietary practices not only support physical vitality but also contribute significantly to mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall wellbeing. This project responds to these needs by integrating somatic training with creative, playful practices and nutritional awareness. Through an international training course and local follow-up activities, participants will: - Experience methods that support self-regulation, stress reduction, and resilience. - Explore movement and coordination games that build group cohesion, focus, and mobility. - Gain practical advice and best practices on nutrition, learning how dietary choices can directly enhance both physical and mental wellbeing. - Acquire adaptable tools for non-formal learning that engage young people through inner awareness, outer expression, and healthy lifestyle habits. - Strengthen their facilitation skills in guiding embodied, creative, and inclusive practices. - Promote the Youthpass as a self-evaluation and recognition tool, ensuring that participants reflect on and validate their learning outcomes. The project will unfold in three phases: local preparation, an experiential training course, and community-level application supported by online resources. Results will be consolidated in a practical toolkit for wider dissemination, ensuring sustainability and long-term use. The impact will extend from the individual growth of participants to their organizations and communities, where the learned tools will be integrated into daily youth work practice, fostering innovative, playful, and health-conscious learning environments. By combining somatic awareness with creative movement, playful coordination, and nutritional wellbeing, The Joyful Body aims to expand the horizons of youth work, equipping youth workers and young people alike to cultivate resilience, creativity, and meaningful connection in a changing world.