ACTIVATE FOR THE EARTH!

The Erasmus+ youth exchange “ACTivate for the Earth” took place from 22nd to 30th September 2025 in Brežice, Slovenia. The program gathered young people from several European countries who explored how theatre, dance, and music can be used to express ideas about sustainability, social responsibility, and active citizenship.

The exchange stood out for its focus on emotional expression and artistic collaboration. Participants engaged in a wide range of activities that combined trust-building, storytelling, movement, and creative exploration. These processes encouraged them to reflect on their relationship with society and the environment and inspired them to communicate their ideas through performance. The project created a setting in which young people could share experiences, discuss environmental challenges, and build connections through vulnerability and creativity.

Throughout the week, the group worked on improvisation, character development, expressive movement, and collaborative theatre-making. They explored topics such as ecological awareness, human impact on nature, equality, and social justice. As the program progressed, these sessions grew into a collective artistic process that encouraged participants to transform their reflections into a meaningful message for the audience.

A central part of the youth exchange was the creation of a four part theatre production, entirely co designed and performed by the participants. Each act addressed a different dimension of sustainability or citizenship and wove together movement, dialogue, symbolism, and music. The result was a powerful performance presented to a public audience at the end of the project. The final play can be watched here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAkUybb0LNQ&t=3324s

The experience also strengthened intercultural understanding, as the group included young people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Working side by side allowed them to develop empathy, teamwork skills, and a deeper awareness of the challenges faced by communities across Europe. Many participants expressed that the artistic tools they learned would also support them in future initiatives and in creative activities with their local groups.

Organized by Pozitiva Samobor and supported by the Erasmus+ programme, ACTivate for the Earth demonstrated the power of performing arts as a tool for civic engagement. The project highlighted how creativity can inspire young people to act, reflect, and advocate for environmental and social change. It showed that art can help communities rethink their relationship with the planet and encouraged participants to continue using their voices to foster a more sustainable and compassionate society.