Between 25 and 31 January 2026, the first Transnational Training for Youth Workers within the MYndTheater project (101184193) took place in Belgrade, Serbia. Hosted by the DAH Theatre Research Center for Culture and Social Change, the training gathered youth workers and representatives from partner organizations across Europe to explore innovative approaches to promoting youth mental health through Forum Theatre and participatory artistic methodologies in the context of the digital environment.
The training was based on non-formal education principles and focused on the intersection between digital risks, mental well-being, and youth work practices. Over the course of five intensive working days, participants engaged in a dynamic mix of discussions, creative workshops, and collaborative activities aimed at strengthening their capacity to address the challenges young people face in the online world.
Programme Highlights
The training began on 26 January with a welcoming session and team-building activities, followed by a Digital Risks Escape Challenge, which encouraged participants to critically reflect on the pressures and dangers young people encounter in digital spaces. The evening concluded with a social dinner that fostered intercultural exchange among participants.
On 27 January, the focus shifted toward dialogue with young people through a Conversation Circle: Young People Speak About Their Online Lives, allowing youth workers to gain deeper insight into real-life digital experiences. This was followed by sessions such as “From Insight to Action: The Youth Worker Commitment Lab” and “The Digital–Mental Health Matrix,” which supported participants in translating observations into concrete youth work strategies. The day ended with a Cultural Night that celebrated diversity and mutual learning.
The third day, 28 January, introduced participants to the theoretical foundations of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed through a documentary screening. This set the stage for practical workshops on identifying critical digital situations and applying theatre as an educational tool in youth work. The day also included coordination trainings among staff members to ensure alignment on next project steps.
On 29 January, participants engaged in a series of Forum Theatre workshops, working collaboratively to design interactive scenes that reflect real digital dilemmas faced by young people. These sessions allowed youth workers to practice facilitation techniques and experience Forum Theatre as a participatory method for social change. The day concluded with a collective reflection.
The final working day, 30 January, focused on the creation and performance of seven multinational Forum Theatre scenes, developed collectively by participants from different countries. These performances addressed themes such as cyberbullying, social media pressure, misinformation, and online exclusion. The training concluded with closing remarks and discussions on future cooperation and implementation at local level.
Project Significance
The MYndTheater project seeks to equip youth workers with creative, participatory tools to address mental health challenges linked to the digital environment. By combining theatre, dialogue, and critical reflection, the project promotes safer, more supportive online spaces for young people.
This first Transnational Training marked a crucial step in building a strong international network of youth workers committed to innovation, inclusion, and well-being in youth work practice.
BRAVO is proud to be part of this initiative and remains dedicated to advancing youth empowerment, mental health awareness, and creative education across Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond.
