The Film of Identity
- Thessaloniki, Greece 15-23 February 2025)
About the Project
The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange "The Film of Identity" brought together young people from Greece, Serbia, Croatia, Poland, and Germany to explore one of the most deeply personal yet universally shared experiences of youth — identity. The project focused on the challenges young people face in understanding their self-perception and finding their place in society, particularly during key life transitions such as moving from high school to university or entering the workforce for the first time.
These moments of change can often bring confusion, anxiety, and a sense of uncertainty about who we are and where we belong. Through non-formal education and the creative power of film, the exchange created a supportive and inclusive environment where participants could openly explore their identities, build resilience, and foster a greater sense of awareness — both of themselves and of others around them.
Beyond the exchange itself, the project produced a range of tangible outputs designed to reach young people across all partner countries and beyond, ensuring that the conversation about identity continues long after the project ends.
The project aimed to:
- Create a safe and supportive space for young people to explore identity challenges, especially during major life transitions
- Foster self-awareness, resilience, and inclusivity among participants through non-formal education methods.
- Use film as a creative tool to explore and communicate the experience of identity crises among young people.
- Design and distribute posters about identity challenges — translated into partner countries’ languages — in schools, workplaces, and other public venues, including local support contacts.
- Produce a film on identity crises to be shared on social media and reach an international audience of young people.
- Create an article and a booklet documenting and disseminating the project’s outcomes and key messages.
- Reduce the stigma around identity challenges and increase awareness of available support among young people.
Project Activities
The youth exchange was structured around several key activities:
- Non-Formal Education Workshops — Through interactive and experiential learning sessions, participants explored the concept of identity, the pressures of life transitions, and the emotional challenges that come with them.
- Film Production — Participants collaborated to create a short film on the theme of identity crises, using storytelling and visual expression to communicate their experiences and messages to a wider audience.
- Poster Design and Distribution — Groups worked together to design posters addressing identity challenges, adapted into the languages of all partner countries and distributed in schools, workplaces, and community spaces — each including contacts for local support services.
- Social Media Campaign — The project film and key messages were shared across social media platforms to reach young people internationally and spark broader conversations about identity and wellbeing.
- Article and Booklet Creation — Participants contributed to the development of a written article and a project booklet, documenting outcomes, reflections, and guidance for young people navigating identity challenges.
- Intercultural Exchange — Bringing together youth from five countries created a rich space for sharing diverse perspectives on identity, belonging, and the universal experience of growing up.
Expected Results and Impact
Through the youth exchange, participants and their communities gained:
- Greater self-awareness and a deeper understanding of identity challenges during key life transitions.
- Strengthened resilience and the confidence to navigate periods of uncertainty and change.
- A set of practical and creative outputs — posters, a film, an article, and a booklet — serving as lasting resources for young people across all partner countries.
- Increased awareness of available support services for young people struggling with identity and mental wellbeing.
- Broader reach through social media, bringing the project’s messages to young people beyond the participating countries.
- Stronger connections between youth organisations from five European countries committed to supporting young people’s personal development.