THEATER
FOR YOU(TH)
Mobılıty of Young People (Youth Exchange) 15th-25th of October 2024
Behind the Mask
What is Erasmus+ Youth Exchange?
Youth exchanges give groups of young people from different countries the opportunity to meet, live together, and work on shared projects for a limited time. These activities take place outside the school environment and include various tasks such as workshops, exercises, debates, role-plays, and outdoor activities. Participants have the chance to gain recognition for their learning experiences through a Youthpass certificate.
Youth exchanges typically last between 5 and 21 days, not including travel time. They are open to young people aged 13 to 30, with group leaders required to be at least 18 years old. These projects are organized by youth organizations, informal groups of young people, or other organizations.
The European Union provides financial support, covering travel costs as well as expenses related to organizing and running the activities during the exchange. Individuals cannot apply for a grant directly – applications are made by organizations or groups of young people who then select participants.
The Key Competences
Multilingual Competence
European youth projects involve interactions with people from different countries, who speak different languages. For many participants, communicating in a foreign language is of crucial importance.
Personal, Social and Learning to Learn Competence
Projects often rely on group interactions which can be intensive where one is confronted with own attitudes. Reflecting on the self, the relation with others and one’s own role in the group is therefore essential. Working together with others in a meaningful and constructive way plays a big role.
Citizenship Competence
Participants are directly or indirectly involved in a civil society organisation or they work on a locally or globally relevant social or environmental theme. They reflect on values, laws, human rights, make comparisons between practices, problems and needs in different realities in Europe.
Entrepreneurship Competence
European projects are about turning ideas into reality, about being creative, and trying out new things that might also be risky. The project has to be managed in different contexts.
Participants have different possibilities to develop talents, discover passions, try out new roles and get inspired to turn their ideas into action.
Competence in cultural awareness and expression
Young people often develop creative forms of expression to make contact with others or to reflect on experiences. Either organisations offer an opportunity to develop cultural aspects during the project or the participants use this form of expression based on their own initiative.
Digital competence
Participants in youth projects can be involved in creating content for blogs, websites, social media platforms, etc to share their projects.
Theatre
The Theatre for Youth project, part of the Erasmus+ program, connects young participants from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Portugal, and Italy. The main goal is to use theatre as a tool to explore current social issues, such as disinformation, while also fostering international collaboration and creativity. We worked with the concept of silent theatre, allowing them to express complex topics without words, using only movement and facial expressions, which helped us enhance our non-verbal communication skills. Brainstorming sessions provided a platform for generating ideas for the final perform.
Workshops
In the context of Erasmus+ youth exchanges, workshops are vital for promoting intercultural learning, personal growth, and active participation. They bring together young people from different backgrounds to work on common goals, such as addressing social issues, fostering inclusion, or promoting sustainability. Through workshops, participants can improve communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while also gaining a deeper understanding of global challenges. Workshops serve as a dynamic platform for youth to learn from one another, share their perspectives, and build lasting connections.
Culture
In the context of Erasmus+ youth exchanges, culture plays a central role in promoting understanding, diversity, and mutual respect. By bringing together young people from different cultural backgrounds, these exchanges create opportunities to explore and appreciate each other’s traditions, values, and worldviews. Cultural exchange helps break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build bridges between nations. It also enhances participants' ability to navigate and thrive in a globalized world. Through intercultural activities, we not only learn about other cultures but also reflect on our own, fostering a sense of global citizenship and solidarity.
Opinion of the Participants
Marek
Czech Republic
This project is really awesome! We’ve learned so many new things – like silent theater, brainstorming about Sustainable Development Goals, and we’ve also dug deep into topics like misinformation and disinformation, which has really helped us understand how miscommunication can happen.
Each nationality prepared their own workshops, where we shared ideas and learned new things. We also had an intercultural night, where we celebrated our diverse cultures and traditions. Overall, it was a great experience that not only taught us new skills but will also stay with us as an unforgettable memory!
Zuza
Poland
This Erasmus+ project wasn’t just about learning new skills, but mostly about meeting amazing people. We made a lot of new friends and created bonds that will last a lifetime. We also gained a deeper understanding of cultural differences and how our diversity actually brings us closer together. It was an unforgettable experience full of new friendships, sharing, and respect for various cultures.
Marianna
Italy
Theater for Youth project really helped us grow, both personally and professionally. We learned how to work in a team, be creative, and how to communicate better with people from all over the world. These skills will definitely be useful in the future, whether in our jobs or personal lives.
The project also inspired us to keep learning new things and to not be afraid to collaborate with people from different cultures. It made us more open and confident in trying new things.
Krıs
Poland
It’s amazing how the project brought together people from different parts of Europe – from the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Portugal, and Italy – and gave us the chance to create something together. It’s not just about learning theatre techniques, but also about how to collaborate, think about important issues, and at the same time develop our skills.
“Erasmus+ is changing lives. Opening minds.”
― Mr Erasmus