Preparation Activities

🔧 Preparation Activities – Analytical Report

In preparation for the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange VOICE, each national group is actively involved in a series of structured and creative tasks aimed at building strong foundations before the physical mobility in Latvia (April 2026). These activities ensure youth engagement, critical thinking, cultural awareness, and theme-based learning.

PREPARATION ACTIVITIES

1️⃣ Personal Introductory Posters

  • 🖼️ Goal: Self-expression and expectation setting
  • 🧠 Skills developed: Self-awareness, creativity, visual storytelling
  • 📌 Instructions: Each participant must create a personal A3-sized poster introducing themselves. 
  • This can include: Name, age, interests/hobbies
  • One sentence or quote about stepping out of their comfort zoneWhat they hope to achieve or learn during the project
  • Symbols, photos or drawings that reflect their personality
  • 💡 Educational Value: This icebreaking tool enhances group dynamics and encourages reflection on individual growth goals related to mental well-being and personal challenges.
  • Deadline: till the end of January 2026
  • In this link you can see personal posters from another project: https://mental-comfort2.webnode.page/participants/

2️⃣ Project Logo Contest

  • 🎨 Goal: Collective identity building
  • 📌 Instructions: Each national group will design a logo that reflects the project's main ideas:

  1. Empowerment through Digital Storytelling – Equip young people with creative and digital skills (video, photography, theatre, media) to tell their own stories and raise awareness about social issues.

  2. Promoting Social Change and Inclusion  – Use storytelling as a tool to challenge stereotypes, fight discrimination, and give voice to marginalized groups.

  3. Intercultural Dialogue and Cooperation – Bring together young people from different countries to share perspectives, learn from each other, and strengthen European solidarity.

  4. Youth Participation and Advocacy – Encourage participants to become active citizens, capable of influencing their communities and contributing to positive change.

  5. Skill Development and Personal Growth - Develop participants' teamwork, leadership, communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

  • 🏆 Logos will be judged based on:

  1. Relevance to project themes

  2. OriginalityVisual appeal and clarity

  3. Inclusion of the project title or acronym

3️⃣ Research on the theme of the YE

📖 Goal: Thematic understanding and cross-national learning

📌 Each group will conduct a mini research project on the theme of the project according the following Guidelines, presenting it in word file so to upload it in the webpage of the project. Also they need to represent their research during the exchange in a 5–7 minute presentation.

🔎 Research Guidelines for Participants (Preparation Activities)

1. Understanding the Project Theme

  • Research what "digital storytelling" is and look at examples (short videos, photo stories, theatre pieces, blogs).
  • Explore how storytelling is used for social change (e.g., human rights campaigns, environmental activism, gender equality).
  • Collect 1–2 inspiring examples from your country or abroad.

2. Exploring Social Issues in Your Country

  • Identify one main issue that affects young people in your country (e.g., discrimination, inequality, climate change, unemployment, mental health).
  • Gather facts, statistics, or news articles about this issue.
  • Interview or talk with peers/friends to understand how they feel about this issue.

3. Connecting Media and Social Perceptions

  • Research how media in your country portrays marginalized groups (e.g., migrants, minorities, LGBTQ+, rural youth).
  • Find one positive and one negative example of media representation.
  • Reflect: How can digital storytelling give a more authentic and fair voice?

4. Erasmus+ and Youth Participation

  • Learn about Erasmus+ opportunities for young people (youth exchanges, training courses, volunteering).
  • Prepare to explain in your own words why mobility and intercultural exchanges are important for youth empowerment.

5. Creative Preparation

  • Bring along a personal story, photo, or object that represents your identity or community.
  • Think about how you could tell a story visually (through photos, theatre, or short videos).

6. Digital Skills Self-Check

  • Reflect on your digital skills (video editing, photography, social media use).
  • Try one simple digital tool (Canva, CapCut, Instagram Reels, or PowerPoint) to practice storytelling.
  • Be ready to share what tools you used and what was easy or difficult.

7. Team Country Presentation

  • Each national group should prepare a short creative presentation about:
    • Their country's culture (music, traditions, dances, foods).
    • One chosen social issue they will represent during the exchange.
    • A slogan or quote about youth and change.

📊 Preferred formats: PowerPoint, digital infographic, or printed brochure.

💡 Educational Value: Encourages analytical thinking, cross-cultural comparison, and understanding of mental health strategies across Europe.

4️⃣ Best Practices Collection (2 per country)

🌍 Goal: Sharing effective methods used in local communities
📌 Each team will collect and present two best practices that promote:

🌍🌍 Guidelines for Best Practices Research

  1. Identify Local Examples of Digital Storytelling for Social Change
    • Look for NGOs, youth groups, schools, or community projects in your country that use videos, photography, theatre, or social media campaigns to raise awareness about issues like inclusion, environment, or human rights.
    • Choose one example that inspired you and be ready to share how it made an impact.
  2. Evaluate Why It Works as a Best Practice
    • Reflect on what makes this initiative successful: Is it creative? Inclusive? Easy to replicate? Reaching many people?
    • Prepare a short description (max 1–2 minutes) to explain it to others during the exchange.

📝 Format: Short article or slideshow with photos or videos if possible.

💡 Educational Value: Allows for exchange of real-world strategies and enriches the project with proven models.

5️⃣ Poster Creation (4 Posters per Group)

🧩 Goal: Visual learning and communication
📌 Each national group will prepare 4 posters, with each focusing on a sub-theme of the project. Suggested themes include:

🖼️ Themes for the 4 Preparation Posters

  1. About the Project

    • Title: "Voices of Change: Empowering Youth Through Digital Storytelling"

    • Content: Main ideas, objectives, dates, venue, and why digital storytelling is powerful for social change.

  2. Meet the Partners

    • Title: "Who We Are – Our International Team"

    • Content: Introduction of the 6 partner organisations + associated partner (logos, country, short focus).

  3. Guidelines for Preparation

    • Title: "How to Get Ready for the Youth Exchange"

    • Content: Tasks before arrival (research on digital storytelling, explore a social issue in your country, bring one cultural object, prepare country presentation).

  4. Best Practices from Our Countries

    • Title: "Stories that Inspire Change"

    • Content: Instructions to participants to collect one local best practice where media, arts, or storytelling created social impact, and prepare to present it.

This way, the posters prepare participants step by step:
➡️ What is the project about → Who is in it → How to prepare → What examples to bring.

🖥️ Format: Digital or printed A3 posters; will be used during the mobility and published online.

💡 Educational Value: Supports visual literacy, teamwork, and reinforces understanding of core concepts.

6️⃣ Intercultural Night Preparation

🌍 Goal: Celebrate diversity and develop intercultural competence
📌 Each national group should prepare a fun, interactive cultural presentation including:

Traditional or humorous dance or performance

Fun quiz or game about the country

Display or tasting of typical food (if possible, eco-friendly packaging)

Use of props, flags, or costumes

🎭 Emphasis is on being funny, engaging, and educational while respecting all cultures.

💡 Educational Value: Strengthens cultural awareness, group bonding, and non-verbal communication skills.