By implementing Art on Common Ground, we want to achieve something that lies at the very heart of youth work: to create a safe, creative and inclusive space, where art and nature will become the “common ground” for cultivating non-violent communication, strengthening mental health, and fostering active participation. The project’s theme – democratic participation, peace and dialogue through artistic methods in a natural environment – is not just a theoretical framework, but the axis around which our objectives have been designed. Our first objective is the cultivation of non-violent communication. In a time when young people are exposed daily to news of violence and war, there is an urgent need to explore forms of communication based on empathy and respect. Through physical theatre, performance, and other forms of artistic expression in nature, we want participants to experiment with alternative ways of communication, to explore how they can resolve conflicts creatively, and to bring this experience back into their everyday lives. Our second objective is the protection and improvement of mental health. We recognize that uncertainty, social pressures, and the constant flow of negative news have a profound impact on young people. We want to show that art and contact with the natural environment can become powerful tools for release, self-awareness, and empowerment. Creating collectively strengthens self-confidence, a sense of belonging, and mental resilience. A third objective is the strengthening of democratic participation. During the exchange, each participant will have the chance to co-create activities, take part in collective decision-making, and experience democracy in practice. This reflects a core value of youth work: participation and co-creation as tools for learning and empowerment. Equally important is the objective of intercultural understanding and inclusion. The participation of young people from diverse backgrounds – including those with fewer opportunities, migrants, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities – is central for us. We want to prove that diversity is not a barrier but a source of richness. Art gives us the possibility to communicate beyond language or social status, cultivating solidarity and a sense of community. Another key objective is the cultivation of environmental awareness. Through the practical application of sustainable solutions (zero waste, eco-art, use of natural materials, supporting local production), we want to show that caring for the environment is part of our responsibility as citizens. Sustainability will not be presented as a “rule”, but as a daily choice that strengthens collective responsibility and our connection with nature. From the perspective of youth work, all these objectives aim at developing essential competences: communication, collaboration, empathy, initiative, creativity, cultural expression, and active citizenship. Through non-formal learning methods, young people will learn to recognize their abilities and to apply them on a personal, social, and professional level. This process is deeply connected with the values of youth work: empowerment, participation, inclusion, reflection, and self-awareness. At the same time, with Art on Common Ground we want to show how the opportunities offered by the European Union can transform young people’s everyday lives. Erasmus+ provides us with the tools to create spaces of meeting, learning, and creation, where young people can feel the European dimension, share experiences, and return to their communities as agents of change. In this way, we directly contribute to the programme’s priorities: Inclusion & Diversity, Participation in Democratic Life, Green Erasmus, and Digital Transformation. With all this, Art on Common Ground is not just a youth exchange; it is a meaningful youth work process that aims to give young people the tools and the confidence to become more creative, more resilient, more conscious, and more active citizens, who will spread Europe’s values within their communities