Our initiative addressed pressing issues such as discrimination, hate crimes, and harassment, which remain significant challenges in European society. We wanted to foster equal opportunities, promote inclusivity, and encourage intercultural dialogue; the project aligned with the objectives of The Youth Exchange and supported key goals such as promoting mental health, quality education, gender equality, sustainable development, and partnerships for broader societal goals.
Through the use of art therapy tools and creative expression, young participants were empowered to take action against discrimination and LGBTQ+ violence. This creative approach enabled them to explore complex issues, build resilience, and express their ideas for a more inclusive society.
In addition, the project enhanced the capacities of the participating organizations. It introduced innovative approaches to youth engagement, fostered a dynamic and professional environment, and strengthened the organizations’ ability to operate on a European or international level.
Ultimately, the project aimed to contribute to a more inclusive and empathetic European society, one that celebrates diversity and actively works to combat discrimination.
The youth exchange aimed to achieve the following specific objectives:
Establish a social bond between people living in the immediate neighborhood and the international participants and the Catfarm community
Bring together people from different cultures in a co-creative social and environmental project by involving participants in all phases of the project
Raise awareness of homophobia, discrimination and LGBTQ+ violence and share knowledge and ideas with the participants on Queer theory, history and its place in modern society
Inspire the participants to explore and express through various forms of art, including painting, drawing, writing, dancing, theatre, creating a mosaic
Enable young people to acquire personal, social, and professional skills
Immerse participants in an experimental way of life within an eco-place which offered an example of leading ecological lifestyles
Promote social inclusion by sharing food cultures, exchanging international perspectives, developing intercultural competence, understanding different cultures and appreciating diversity
Share cultures, exchanged ideas among youth to form a base for future corporations and projects
Raise awareness on the practices of policies and systems in matters of non-formal education of youth in the EU
Implementation
Activity 1: KA1 Erasmus+ Youth Exchange
Venue: Catfarm, Poussan, France
Planned Dates: 16th May - 30th May 2024 (including 2 travel days)
Countries involved: Netherlands, France, Portugal, Hungary, Spain, Italy
Number of participants: 36 + 2 facilitators
Of which, with fewer opportunities: 12
Activity 2: APV - I CREATE, Preparatory visit
Venue: Online
Planned Dates: 4th and 5th April 2024
Countries involved: Netherlands, France, Portugal, Hungary, Spain, Italy
Number of participants: 6 youth leaders
The youth exchange participants were motivated young people aged 18 to 30. Youth for this project came from 6 partner countries and were selected to bring diverse cultural backgrounds. During the partner selection process, we prioritized gender balance and included participants who face barriers related to education and training systems, discrimination (including minority groups and those with migrant backgrounds or who identify as LGBTQX), cultural differences within their country, and social and geographical barriers (such as living in rural areas) . Although bringing together a group with such diverse cultural backgrounds can be challenging, we ensured all participants fit the profile below to build common ground.
Participants Profile:
Aged between 18 and 30
Motivated to participate in the youth exchange and interested in the topic (living with nature, climate change, community living)
Have no or very little experience of participating in international youth exchanges
Appreciate differences and enjoy a multicultural environment
An open mind to an alternative lifestyle at the Catfarm community
Willing to open up and share their vulnerability with others
We search for and prioritize participants with fewer opportunities
Motivated to participate in all stages of the project, from the beginning till the end
Motivated to disseminate project results and get involved in future follow-up projects
Having the ambition to explore their soft/hard competencies such as interpersonal interaction, sense of initiative, intercultural understanding, DIY, positive attitude, entrepreneurial, eco-citizen, and green skills
Being motivated to deepen their values of sustainability, cooperation, creativity, active citizenship, solidarity, and community life
Being able to understand and communicate in English
Results
The participants were greatly impacted by the atmosphere, exposure to different cultures and traditions, and the educational content. They formed meaningful connections with people from across Europe and had the chance to collaborate on projects from the planning stage. They got to know new people and cultures, improving their language skills and strengthening their European identity.
This experience inspired them to create the change they want to see in the world, dedicating their passion to some of the project's key themes to make a positive impact. As a result, participants not only expanded their knowledge and built a network for future collaboration, but they also found motivation to contribute to sustainability efforts in their local communities.
In addition, participants gained valuable professional skills and insights by participating in the various stages of the project. For instance, all participants were part of a team of 6 that organized a workshop for the entire group, an activity aimed at boosting confidence, improving public speaking, and enhancing technical skills. These workshops also provided opportunities for creativity, knowledge sharing, collaboration, and group bonding. As a result, they not only expanded their knowledge and built a network for future collaborations, but also used this foundation to contribute to their local communities. To amplify the project’s impact, we shared best practices through international platforms and among the project partners.
Through this project, participants built resilience in response to societal changes and the complex social challenges of the present and the future. They gained an understanding of alternative ways of living, consuming, working, and learning. They also recognized the power of collective action and commitment in bringing change to their communities. The project promoted European identity and values through the multicultural friendships formed. Participants enhanced their linguistic, educational, cultural, social, and ecological skills. This sparked strong motivation to become agents of change and continue working for peace and respect for all living things, driven by their passions and interests. Ultimately, the experience empowered them to help create a new societal narrative and become experts in their own experiences and life journeys.
Like all projects hosted by Catfarm, the I create youth exchange promoted the idea that open dialogue with the volunteers living at Catfarm can produce diverse outcomes over time, leading to tangible impacts on young people. Through interactions with travelers, digital nomads, creatives, artists, etc., participants explored different ways of living and working, managing their time and investing in socially impactful projects—ecologically, culturally, and economically. These exchanges fostered friendships and international connections, reinforcing their understanding of global commitment.
Overall, the participants benefited from the following outcomes:
They improved their learning performance;
Their employability was enhanced and their career prospects improved;
Their sense of initiative and entrepreneurship increased;
Their self-empowerment and self-esteem increased;
Their foreign language competencies improved;
Their intercultural awareness was enhanced;
Their participation in society became more active;
Their awareness of the European project and the EU values improved;
Their motivation for taking part in future (formal/non-formal) education increased.
Social and civic competences, namely working with different people to co-construct, speaking in public, non-violent communication, creativity, and improvising, among others.
Technical skills, such as identifying different types of plastic, making the machines operational, creating objects from it, and initiative and entrepreneurship.
Dissemination of results and outputs:
Social Media Posts on Adventures of the Valparaiso accounts: https://www.facebook.com/adventuresofthevalparaiso
Social Media posts on Catfarm accounts:
https://www.facebook.com/Catfarm.poussan
https://www.instagram.com/the.catfarm/
Open Source: Workshops, Games, Activities, Tools, Evaluations, and methodologies shared by participants and facilitators
https://catfarm.notion.site/Workshops-7ebffcf0dc294f76b7579730e45ae4ec
Open-source Practical and Reusable Resources and Tools used at the Catfarm
https://www.notion.so/catfarm/Development-and-Learning-247a0f9ea67e441fbaea50902a1becde
Dates: 16th May - 30th May 2024
Location: Catfarm community - France
Coordinator: Netherlands - Adventures of the Valparaiso
France - Catfarm Education
Spain - Back to the Roots
2023-3-NL02-KA152-YOU-000181677