Empowering Youth Workers: Storytelling – Discovering the Inner Superhero

The Youth Worker Exchange Project brought together 24 enthusiastic youth workers from 11 countries to Candriai, near Trento, Italy. Participants from Italy, Denmark, France, Romania, Cyprus, Spain, Ukraine, Georgia, Poland, Lithuania, and Portugal gathered to share ideas, learn from each other, and explore new ways to support young people. The main focus of the project was storytelling, a powerful tool to help young people build self-confidence and form healthy relationships.

During the exchange, participants learned about different storytelling methods, ranging from spoken word to digital, written, and visual formats. The goal was not just to teach participants how to tell stories but also to demonstrate how storytelling can help build connections, foster understanding, and promote personal growth. Youth workers explored ways to encourage young people to tell their own stories, reflect on their experiences, and express their feelings in ways that promote self-awareness and empathy.

The project also included activities outside the usual workshops, where participants explored different spaces and environments to inspire creativity. Many activities used unconventional spaces to spark new ideas and methods of engaging with young people.

A major part of the exchange was sharing best practices through hands-on experiences, as well as workshops on the Human Library, active listening, and positive communication. This was at the heart of our youth worker exchange, where each participant shared one educational storytelling methodology in a 360° structure (preparation, implementation, and evaluation). This facilitated learning, helped participants gain new skills, and provided tools for working with young people.

By the end of the project, participants felt inspired and gained new skills and ideas to help youth in their communities. The exchange not only empowered youth workers but also highlighted the importance of storytelling, communication, and collaboration in creating positive futures for young people across Europe.

This project was a great example of shared knowledge, creativity, and the powerful impact of youth work!

If you would like to see what was going on during the project, feel free to check our guidebook :