E-magazine Volume 4

ROMANIA

The piloting activity in Romania involved 24 young people aged between 15 and 18. Most of them live in rural areas (Snagov, Ghermănești, Gruiu, Siliștea Snagovului, Balotești, Tâncăbești etc.) and usually face both economic and geographical challenges, as well as discrimination. Thirteen of them experienced non-formal education for the first time during our piloting.

The activities were simple, and the participants had no difficulties engaging with them. The objectives were to get the young people familiar with the concept of non formal activities and to share improvisation theatre activities we had learned and experimented with during the LTTA.

At the end of the activity, the facilitators did a debriefing session with the participants. The majority of the participants said they liked the activities, mentioning that they were enjoyable, engaging, and different from what they usually do. What stood out the most was how quickly they opened up — from a bit of hesitation at the beginning to full involvement, creativity, and genuine connection by the end.

These kinds of activities create a safe space where young people can express themselves, try new roles, and reflect on their experiences in a different way. For us, it’s really valuable to see how the methods work in practice and the kind of impact they can have on young people.

The piloting confirmed that non-formal, arts-based methods are engaging, accessible, and effective, especially for participants with little prior experience.

CROATIA

Delta piloted two methods: Forum theatre and Labyrinth Theatre.

Both involved young people aged between 20 and 30, some coming from rural areas and some facing different challenges (young people with developmental and physical disabilities, economical disadvantages and similar).

Forum theatre workshop was held in the Rijeka City Library during two days and was organized in partnership with the Erasmus Student Network Rijeka and the Cerebral palsy Association Rijeka. The topic of the scenario was inaccessible public infrastructure for people that move with wheelchairs. The first day the group of young people engaged in theatre game activities and connected, learned about Forum theatre and came up with the oppression scenario. The second day, the group performed for an audience and came up with different solutions.

In addition to young people and some members of the Association of the Blind of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, an international group of youth work professionals also joined the audience during their study visit to the University of Rijeka. The workshop was therefore inclusive on multiple levels—providing translation from English into Croatian as well as visual adaptations for blind and visually impaired participants.

In the second piloting, a group of young people co-created two labyrinths over two sessions, which they then performed for each other. They actively engaged and visibly enjoyed while creating together a unique audience experience by activating less dominant senses (hearing, smell, touch, and taste) and through a non-linear narrative and poetic motifs.

Through collective creation and theatrical play, the group connected, empowered one another, and explored theatre that is open to everyone, regardless of prior experience, education, or abilities.

AUSTRIA

Our Austrian partner Interaktion and participants who attended the LTTA in Romania brought their newly gained skills back to their local communities through a series of theatre-based workshops in Graz, Wels and Linz.

Linz – Together with the Student Representatives at JKU Linz, participants used Forum Theatre to explore a scenario involving a student with a learning disability facing barriers within the university system. Through role-play and discussion, they reflected on power dynamics, inclusion, and ways to create more supportive learning environments.

Graz – Young people with fewer opportunities from Jugend am Werk took part in an Improvisation Theatre workshop where they practiced German language skills, built confidence, and strengthened communication through playful theatre games and collaborative exercises.

Wels – A mixed theatre methods workshop brought together young people from diverse backgrounds, including rural areas, migrant communities, and LGBTQ+ from Upper Austria. Through storytelling, improvisation, and collaborative theatre exercises, participants explored self-expression, creativity, active listening, and connection within the group.

These pilot activities demonstrated how theatre can foster communication, empathy, creativity, and social inclusion while creating spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and connected.

DENMARK

The workshop held at GAIA Academy explored improvisation through play under the title “The Birthday Party.” Participants worked in groups through a series of imaginative exercises involving invisible gifts, balloons, movement, eye contact, and collaboration.

The workshop quickly developed its own playful logic, and it was inspiring to see how naturally the groups engaged with one another and built shared dynamics together. Humor, attentiveness, spontaneity, and cooperation became central elements throughout the process.

An interesting reflection afterwards was how differently the idea of a “birthday party” was interpreted by participants — showing how personal associations and expectations shape the way we enter a shared activity.