Young people and youth workers from Hungary, Turkey, France, Spain, Romania, and Portugal participated in the youth exchange supported by the Spanish National Agency (INJUVE) and the EU.
Our project aimed to prevent violence among young people through the transformative power of art. Globalization and mass media have exposed young people to stress, social pressures, and negative role models, which have increased their propensity for violence. By integrating art into their daily lives, the project encouraged young participants to express their emotions in constructive ways, manage their anger, and reduce their aggression. Artistic activities such as painting, drama, music, and dance provided young people with safe spaces to explore their creativity, strengthen their self-confidence, and replace violent impulses with peaceful expression. In this context, art served as both a preventative and a healing tool.
The overall aim of the project was to use art as a tool to reduce young people's propensity for violence. Its specific objectives are to highlight the causes and consequences of violence, share best practices among stakeholders, leverage the calming and healing effects of artistic activities, raise awareness about anger management, and demonstrate how art can enhance happiness and social cohesion. The project also aims to foster long-term collaboration among stakeholders in combating youth violence.
During the events, participants aged 16-25, including disadvantaged youth and group leaders, actively participated. They participated in icebreaker games, expectations-sharing sessions, and Youthpass promotions. Expert-led workshops on "The Role of Art in Violence Prevention" were held, including abstract painting sessions and creative drama. Participants prepared brochures, implemented anger management challenges, and conducted fieldwork, sharing materials with local communities. Museum visits were combined with sculpture workshops, combining artistic observation with practical application. Country-specific presentations and social experiments enabled participants to analyze the roots of violence in their own communities. In the following days, dance choreographies, theater competitions, and interviews with local residents further connected the themes of art, peace, and youth expression. Cultural nights, energizing activities, and daily evaluations strengthened group cohesion, while leadership meetings supported coordination. The final day was dedicated to project brainstorming, developing newsletters, and planning dissemination strategies for sustainability.
The expected results were achieved at both the individual and community levels. Participants increased their awareness of violence, learned non-violent conflict resolution methods, and discovered the role of art in reducing stress. They also developed competencies in self-expression, teamwork, intercultural communication, and creative problem-solving. At the community level, dissemination of project results through brochures, performances, and social experiments raised awareness of the importance of art for peace.
When participants returned home, they were motivated to integrate art into their schools, youth centers, and local initiatives, and long-term effects were seen. They increased the impact of the project by sharing their knowledge and experiences with their peers. Intercultural dialogue and tolerance were encouraged, prejudices were reduced, and a more peaceful attitude toward diversity was adopted. Participants were also encouraged to adopt environmentally friendly habits such as green travel and low-carbon activities, and they linked social peace with sustainability. Partner institutions established new collaborations and strengthened European networks, ensuring the continued circulation of knowledge and best practices developed in the project.
Ultimately, the project demonstrated that art is not only a creative tool but also a practical and effective tool for preventing violence, fostering empathy, and building peaceful communities. By combining education, creativity, and intercultural exchange, the project successfully provided young people with new perspectives on dealing with conflict and promoting a culture of peace.