This youth exchange aimed to improve participants' cultural awareness and self-expression competence. Throughout the project, we worked with various performance arts methods to help them share their personal stories and those from their communities. Throughout the learning journey, using non-formal education methods such as storytelling, creative writing, theatre, and mindfulness, participants developed an understanding of different cultures, an appreciation of their differences, and an acceptance of themselves, becoming active contributors to an inclusive society that respects human dignity and cultural diversity.
They shared and exchanged their ideas, cultures, and stories while gradually transforming their knowledge into an artistic work performance at the Catfarm Community. Here, we were engaged in creating a whole new kind of culture, one that responded directly to the disconnection and prejudices of modern society. One that brought all peoples of the world together with the goal of reconnection, both to the natural world that we have treated with disregard and contempt and to each other.
This multicultural, ecologically minded generation was represented globally by a multitude of communities, old and new. Many of which thrived precisely because they had formed new rituals from old concepts. What we required then were our very own rituals that bind together our connection to the seasons, our values, and most importantly, our hearts and minds.
We introduced the participants to alternative ways of living, inspired by the space where the project took place, the Catfarm Community. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about community values of sustainability and cooperation. With the “Cats”, the international volunteers created a safe and harmonious environment, leaving room for learning and creativity within an empathetic and supportive group.
The project had the following specific objectives:
Raise awareness about discrimination while empowering youngsters to develop critical thinking around this topic
Raise awareness about European values through self-expression as a tool to form a base for fostering communication and appreciation of differences to create an inclusive society
Increase the competence of social and civic engagement of youth through activities dedicated to tackling discrimination using performance art methods
Educate participants with mindfulness tools to foster connection with oneself, and generate confidence for self-expression and authentic communication
Share cultures, exchange ideas among youth to form a base for future corporations and projects
Raise awareness of youngsters' cultural heritage and encourage commitment in their communities while improving their cultural awareness and expression competence
Foster communication and cooperation with the stakeholders.
Raise awareness on the practices of policies and systems in matters of non-formal education of youth in the European Union
Immersion in an experimental way of life within an eco-place that offers creative solutions to today’s world challenges
Implementation
The participants were part of the e-generations that had grown up in an environment of computers, iPhones, PlayStation, and TV shows. Some of them could stay in front of the computer for hours and hours in a row. Back then, youngsters spent their free time indoors and missed out on experiencing leisure activities like hiking, camping in nature, or watching the sunset. On top of that, those generations did not go anywhere without their mobile phones and laptops, and even when they were out, they were constantly on Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and so on.
Most participants lived in cities and had little or no experience with nature, eco-community places, or alternative ways of living. Most of them had little access, or never had the chance, to witness what was possible to create when groups of driven people connected around a vision, thrived through collaboration and solidarity, and inspired others to be empowered and take action. On the other hand, most of the participants from The Netherlands and France had some more experience in traveling and openness to alternative ways of living, and they wanted to go deeper on their development and learn more, making this experience a fine blend of many different types of people that broke through the initial judgment on others and connected deeply through embodying kindness and openness to others who were different from them.
Each national group was selected and supported directly by the respective partner, ensuring there was an age and gender balance and focusing on looking for and prioritizing participants from minority groups and those with fewer opportunities, such as geographical, social, or economic obstacles, health problems, migrant backgrounds, LGBTQ, and cultural differences.
The project included 32 participants with the following profile:
Age between 18-30
Motivated to participate in the youth exchange;
Have no or very little experience of participating in international youth exchanges;
Interest in the topic of the youth exchange;
Interested in developing competencies such as intercultural competence, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, and social and civic competencies.
The group leaders and some participants have been actively involved in planning and organizing this youth exchange.
Motivated to participate in all stages of the project, from the beginning to the end.
Motivated to disseminate project results and get involved in future follow-up projects;
The main aim of this project was to raise awareness about the shared value of diversity and to contribute to creating a united and inclusive society in participating countries. Youth from various countries came together during the project activities to connect through self-expression.
The main topics of the activities were performance arts and mindfulness, exploring the correlation between these fields and celebrating diversity. By understanding themselves more deeply, expressing what was inside them, and getting to know other cultures, participants felt a sense of belonging, seen, and accepted. Participants learned the basic elements of both topics so they could apply them in their lives and homes and share them in their communities.
In this youth exchange, we taught about several different performance art methods. Participants were led on a journey into the arts, rituals, and traditions to become more comfortable and confident speaking up, sharing their voices, and telling their stories. We aimed to foster people to be proud of who they were and where they came from while embracing others' uniqueness.
Basic and easy mindfulness tools were shared to help participants better manage stressful situations, social anxiety, non-violent communication, conflicts with others, listen to their bodies, and connect with what they truly wanted. They were connected with nature on a daily basis through daily practices like meditation, yoga, breathwork, conscious dancing, and being present in the senses. We hoped to inspire more self-love in participants' daily lives, as with that strength, they could inspire others to do the same.
Moreover, everybody was welcomed into the Catfarm community to promote living in harmony, use mindfulness to bring out the best in oneself, and increase awareness of the world around us. There were several open spaces, and all participants were encouraged to prepare an activity for the group to encourage entrepreneurship.
Results
Blog Post on Patreon about the project:
Event + Social Media Posts: https://www.facebook.com/events/5072389216157472/?active_tab=discussion
Social Media posts on Catfarm accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/Catfarm.poussan
https://www.instagram.com/the.catfarm/
Open Source: Workshops and methodologies shared by participants and facilitators
https://catfarm.notion.site/Workshops-7ebffcf0dc294f76b7579730e45ae4ec
Open source Workshops, Games, Activities, Tools, Evaluations: https://www.notion.so/catfarm/Development-and-Learning-247a0f9ea67e441fbaea50902a1becde
Coordinator: Catfarm Education
• Start date 01-06-2022 • End date 31-03-2023
• ASOCIACIÓN CULTURAL Y MEDIOAMBIENTAL PERMACULTURA CANTABRIA 🇪🇸 Spain • ORIEL APS 🇮🇹 Italy • Stichting Adventures of the Valparaiso 🇳🇱 Netherlands • VšĮ AY Institutas 🇱🇹 Lithuania
2022-1-FR02-KA152-YOU-000051623