Project partners: Via Kreaktion – (coordinator); OffLirico – Spain; Elmenyakademia – Hungary; Impakt – Poland; Le LABA – France; La Citta del Sole - Italy.

Through the use of music tools, this project aims to create spaces where tolerance and solidarity are not taught but lived. Working together on a common goal will strengthen youth groups and make each participant valued and relatable. Youth workers will strengthen their capacity in using music as a tool and exchange valuable best practices in providing inclusive support for positive experiences of learning and civic engagement.

The project promotes music as a method to be used for inclusion of young people of diverse backgrounds, and in different areas of civic participation. Music can be a tool for social inclusion, developing young people’s creativity and encouraging reflection and constructive discussion about diversity and about common social issues. Music presents a way of communication that can express what can’t be put in words and create a deeper level of connection. Musical styles are as diverse as people themselves; every situation, every mood, every move has a different melody or rhythm. Making music together in a group therefore shows great potential in strengthening respect, solidarity and team work - some values that identify the EU. During 15 months, 60 young people strengthen their creative and civic competences by developing a music performance that expresses their perspectives on a relevant social issue in their communities. *Video documentary including 12 tutorials on inclusive music tools and interviews with youth workers and young participants *Backstage diary with practice examples and personal stories about the process of youngsters developing their musical performance - for inspiration and replication of similar projects by other youth groups and organizations. *Promotion of music as a tool for inclusion through a communication and dissemination campaign - including social media campaign and 6 multiplication events with a total of 240 participants in all partner countries. Special outreach to organizations of training, education and social work not yet involved in the partner networks.

With the experience of working with youth groups in contexts of diversity and in intercultural environments, partners have realized the importance of building strong personal connections with and among young people as a crucial factor for their positive experiences and for longer term involvement in activities. The partnership provides great complementarity, involving organisations that have been active in youth work and child protection (Elmenyakademia), youth work partners with extensive experience in European projects (Le LABA, Impakt), associations involved in a wide range of creativity in non-formal education (Via Kreaktion, La Città del Sole) and a newcomer to Erasmus (OffLirico) but with professional staff and an extensive network in the area of music, opera and culture.

       Objectives:

- Strengthen youth workers’ capacity to engage youngsters in continued action through creative means of expression

- Foster social inclusion, active citizenship, intercultural understanding and creative competences among young people in

the partner countries

- Promote recognition of music as a tool for inclusion and civic participation in youth work and all fields of education

       Implementation (activities)

-Training of trainers - Exchange of NFE methods for inclusion, civic engagement and using different music styles

-Local youth groups of music artists - Learn about inclusion and civic engagement, discuss issues that concern them and develop a stage performance (songs, rap, musical theatre) to raise awareness.

-Youth Mobility - Local groups meet in an international exchange, present their performances and share their experiences of engagement.

-Social Media Campaign & local stage performances

       Results:

The project activities result in increased involvement of youth in civic action through music, and strengthened capacity of youth workers supporting them.

Tangible project results:

A video documentary as a practical guide for youth workers to apply different musical styles as methods in their work, including at least 12 instructional videos.

A backstage diary presenting real examples of engagement, best practices, success stories and tips from young people and youth workers for replication.