Creative Storytelling in the Land of Ice and Fire – Erasmus+ youth exchange photo exhibtion

Creative Youth Information Award category

Creative Storytelling in the Land of Ice and Fire – Erasmus+ youth exchange photo exhibtion

Organisation

Foundation for the Development of Education and Tourism Rysy

Country

Poland

WEBSITE

https://www.facebook.com/fundacjarysy

Project link

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1466919537401649&set=pb.100022508497321.-2207520000&type=3

General Overview

“Creative Storytelling in the Land of Ice and Fire” was a dynamic project aimed at empowering 16 young individuals (8 from Poland, 8 from Iceland) with essential digital skills, including social media management, photography, videography, and digital campaign planning. The project’s core objective was to raise awareness about climate change and environmental protection through innovative digital storytelling methods, specifically focusing on the creation of interactive, engaging content.

Based on the project results, as dissemination activities, young participants organised:

A social media educational campaign about environmental protection and climate change;
A local photography exhibition in the small city of Swarzędz in rural areas, which lasted for 3 months (October – December 2024)
A radio interview on local Radio Emaus about the Erasmus+ programme, Eurodesk Poland and opportunities for young people offered by the European Union – focused on different ways young people can use the Erasmus+ programme to work in the field of environment and climate protection;
A presentation about Erasmus+, Eurodesk, and environmental and climate protection during the Local Trends conference in Poznań, 14-15.10.2024.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

The initiative “Creative Storytelling in the Land of Ice and Fire” corresponds to the thematic category of Creative Youth Information by combining innovative digital tools with a youth-centred approach to address crucial societal issues. By equipping young individuals with skills in social media management, photography, videography, and digital campaign planning, the project empowered participants to create and disseminate accessible, engaging, and visually appealing educational content. This initiative enhanced the relevance of youth information by tailoring its delivery to platforms and formats widely consumed by younger audiences, such as social media campaigns and interactive exhibitions.

By focusing on storytelling as a medium, the project transformed complex topics like climate change and environmental protection into relatable narratives, making information both actionable and memorable. The project’s outcomes, including a local photography exhibition, a radio interview, and the promotion of Erasmus+ opportunities, underscored the potential of creative communication in fostering awareness and youth engagement. It demonstrated how young people can use innovative methods to advocate for important causes, inspire their peers, and actively participate in societal transformation.

Through this combination of creativity, skill-building, and thematic focus, the initiative exemplified how youth information can be both meaningful and impactful, particularly when grounded in the interests and experiences of young people themselves.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

The project explored the power of storytelling to convey impactful messages on climate issues. Participants engaged in hands-on workshops and activities to develop digital content, such as social media campaigns, videos, photos, and infographics, aimed at educating and inspiring local communities in both Iceland and Poland. By working on these campaigns, they enhanced their technical and creative skills while learning how to use digital tools for social good.

Participants from Poland and Iceland gained essential digital skills, including social media management, photography, videography, and digital campaign planning. These skills are increasingly important in today’s job market, enhancing their employability and future career prospects. Through creating content focused on climate change and environmental protection, participants developed a deeper understanding of these issues. They were empowered to use their newly acquired skills to raise awareness and advocate for positive environmental change.

Participants took the lead in organising various project components, such as the photography exhibition and radio interview. This not only boosted their leadership and organisational skills but also increased their confidence in executing projects and presenting their ideas in public forums. The project’s educational campaign and photography exhibition reached a broad audience in Swarzędz, a small town in rural Poland. Local residents, especially young people, became more engaged with climate issues and better understood the actions they can take to protect the environment. The exhibition and social media campaign encouraged community members to take part in sustainable practices and think critically about their environmental impact. The involvement of local media, such as the radio interview, further spread these messages to a wider audience. Through the radio interview, the project highlighted the Erasmus+ programme and other EU-funded opportunities, encouraging local youth to get involved in international programmes that can provide personal and professional growth, especially in the context of environmental protection.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

The project’s core objective was to raise awareness about climate change and environmental protection through innovative digital storytelling methods, specifically focusing on the creation of interactive, engaging content. The project explored the power of storytelling to convey impactful messages on climate issues. Participants engaged in hands-on workshops and activities to develop digital content, such as social media campaigns, videos, photos, and infographics, aimed at educating and inspiring local communities in both Iceland and Poland. By working on these campaigns, they enhanced their technical and creative skills while learning how to use digital tools for social good.

The project centred on creating a social media campaign and other digital materials to educate the public about environmental issues. The content included tips on reducing carbon footprints, promoting sustainable practices, and understanding the impact of climate change. Participants explored the concept of “transformational storytelling” to highlight the urgency of climate action and inspire.

Creative Youth Information Award category