PROJECTS

PROJECT TITLE: Dance Me to Leadership, Resilience, Stress Management, and Art Therapy

Implementation time: 01.10.2024 – 31.07.2024

Project No. 2024-1-MK01-KA153-YOU-000216990

Project Leader: MATA Skopje

Project Partners: Universe 8 Foundation – Bulgaria, Türk Psikoloji Öğrencileri Çalışma Grubu (TPÖÇG) – Turkiye, Mission: Reconnect, z.s – Czech Republic, Edukacija za budućnost Praskozorje - Serbia

Summary:

The project 'Dance Me to Leadership, Resilience, Stress Management and Art Therapy' aims to reach the following objectives with the aim of increasing the well-being of young people and also those working with them:

-to equip youth workers with tools and methods to be used to deal with stress and anxiety and prevent burnout;

-to raise the ability of youth workers to include movement-based and art-based activities in their work, especially dance, as a tool for improving psychical and mental health, raising their resilience and at the same time developing leadership, teamwork, and communication competencies;

-to increase the competencies of youth workers with new work practices, methods, and tools focused on improving the mental health and well-being of young people, reducing their stress and anxiety, and supporting the development of the competencies of youth workers;

-to support sharing practices across participants' countries tackling the issues of resilience, stress management, leadership skills, and well-being in relation to using art-based and movement-based methods;

-to create space for brainstorming new ideas for local and international youth projects and increase the quality of youth work delivered by the consortium;

-to share lessons learned beyond the consortium through online (interviews) and face-to-face activities in the participant's communities.

The project 'Dance Me to Leadership, Resilience, Stress Management and Art Therapy' will include one international 5 days professional development activity that will bring together 20 participants representing North Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, the Czech Republic, and Turkiye.

Key target group:

The consortium plans to include participants meeting the following profiles:

- youth workers, educators, and leaders in need of developing their competencies enabling them to design and deliver quality youth activities at local, national, and international levels addressing anxiety and stress and contributing to improving mental health and well-being;

- youth workers, educators, and leaders in need to get to know tools, and methods primarily based on body movement (dance), using art therapy that is considered to be innovative in the context of their work and increasing their abilities to use these methods at their work with young people, including those with fewer opportunities;

- in need of new impulses enabling them to grow as youth workers, educators, and leaders to understand better their solid sides and sides to be improved, to discuss common challenges, and establish a support system including other youth workers, partnerships, and networks;

- with motivation to work on debunking stereotypes related to the mental health and well-being of youth workers and young people, to include at their work new tools and methods, and increase the quality of the activities that they are delivering;

-with a diverse range of experiences (from newcomers to experienced youth workers, working with young people for five years and more);

-with interest in working in mix-intercultural groups, ability to communicate in English, ability to take part in the preparatory activities and international activities and be actively involved in the follow-up period and take part in organizing local actions;

-at the age of 22 or older.

Impact and results:

The project 'Dance Me to Leadership, Resilience, Stress Management and Art Therapy' aims to positively impact several levels. Firstly, the project aims to equip the participating organizations with new tools and methods that will increase the well-being of their youth workers and staff members, and it will increase their capacities to address anxiety and stress among young people and provide them with an opportunity to improve their well-being, as well. Furthermore, the project will be for the members of the consortium an opportunity to explore innovative tools based on using dance and body movement and increase their capacities to use these tools at their work with various groups of young people, including young people with fewer opportunities as tools aiming to increase their self-confidence and self-esteem. Moreover, by utilizing dance as a methodology for leadership development, participants will engage in a dynamic process that fosters teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Through rhythmic expression and collaborative choreography, individuals will learn to lead by example, inspire others, and navigate challenges with grace and resilience, ultimately cultivating a new generation of confident and empowered leaders. Besides the impact on the organizations directly involved in the consortium, the project will also have a positive impact on the individuals and organizations beyond the consortium that will take an active part in the dissemination activities and/or will reach the visibility activities of the project.

PROJECT TITLE: STOP FAST FASHION

Implementation time: 01.08.2024 – 31.07.2025

Project No.:  2023-2-PL01-KA210-VET-000174365

Project leader: Foundation for Education, Development and Innovation

Project partner: Association of citizens for improvement of artisans' work and handicrafts "MATA" Skopje

Sector: VET

MAIN GOAL OF THE PROJECT:

preparing young people, students and teachers to actively participate in the fashion industry more sustainably and consciously and raising their awareness of the impact of fast fashion on the natural environment and the local community.

KEY RESULTS:

• 2 e-learning courses on the sustainable fashion sector for vocational education teachers
• 3 scenarios for teachers for workshops with young people along with educational and multimedia materials on sustainable fashion, including 1 multimedia game
• 10 Feature Articles/Interviews
• 8 webinars promoting the project's products for different target groups
• 1 film promoting sustainable fashion and innovation in the sector
• 1st international conference with a sustainable fashion show
• increasing awareness of project participants and partners on the impact of "Fast Fashion" on the natural environment and society, how to minimize the negative impact of "Fast Fashion"
• promoting sustainable fashion in the local community

EXPECTED BENEFITS:

• Sustainable Development of the Industry: the project will develop solutions that provide the skills needed to implement changes in the fashion industry, striving for a more sustainable approach.
• Responding to Environmental Challenges: By promoting sustainable fashion, the project will respond to global environmental challenges.
• Support Local Designers and Producers: Increasing public awareness of sustainable fashion can lead to greater support for local designers and producers

The project fits into the priorities of vocational education and training by offering practical, future-oriented solutions to the problems related to “Fast Fashion”. It will prepare teachers to educate young people. Students will be better prepared to enter the fashion industry and will have the tools to implement sustainable fashion. The project also has a wider impact by influencing society in a way that raises awareness of the effects of “Fast Fashion” on the environment and people.

THE MAIN TARGET GROUPS OF THE PROJECT WILL BE:

Vocational education teachers, career counselors, coaches, trainers, and teachers working with young people in artistic fields, in particular, those related to applied design

Young people – students of vocational schools, future or current employees interested in shaping their career path in the field of fashion

Universities and vocational schools that provide vocational education and training in the fashion sector, interested in building curricula and internship programs based on the real needs of the labor market today 

Local community – includes people of different ages, with different professions, interests, and needs.

We invite you to follow our cooperation and its effects!

Funded by the EU. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA are responsible for them.

All results developed within the project "STOP FAST FASHION" are made available under open licenses (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED). They can be used free of charge and without restrictions. Copying or processing these materials in whole or in part without the author's consent is prohibited. In the case of using the results, it is necessary to indicate the source of financing and its authors.