ART FLOW: Create & Sustain is an international youth project focused on developing creativity, environmental awareness, and collaboration among young people through non-formal education and experiential creative activities in nature. The project took place within the Erasmus+ program, in cooperation with partner organizations NaZemi (Czech Republic) and Somos la Otra (Spain). The organization Človek v ohrození was our partner for reaching out to and supporting Ukrainian participants who joined the project.
The aim of the project was to support the personal and professional growth of participants, boost their self-confidence, and foster new international friendships, especially among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The project also responded to the need for young people to spend more time actively and creatively in real life, rather than passively using social media.
The youth exchange took place in the beautiful natural surroundings of central Slovakia, in Zaježová, from June 23rd to 30th, 2025. The main language of communication was English, but even basic knowledge was sufficient, as most activities were practical and experiential.
Groups of young people aged 18–30 from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Spain participated in the project (8–9 participants plus 1 group leader from each country). Special emphasis was placed on including young people facing disadvantages—economic, social, geographical, or cultural. Both the Slovak and Czech groups also included Ukrainian participants who are currently living in Slovakia and the Czech Republic due to the war.
What did participants experience?
Participants took part in creative workshops, where they upcycled textiles and created original pieces with environmental messages, engaged in creative photography (light painting, imaginative landscapes), and experimented with sound and music creation. They discussed environmental topics such as the impact of the textile industry and sustainable consumption, and practiced facilitation and presentation of their own creative work.
The program also included an excursion to the Sekier eco-community, where participants learned about permaculture, sustainable agriculture, and simple living in harmony with nature. In digital workshops, they developed skills in editing photos, videos, and music, and prepared creative outputs. There were also movement activities in nature, hiking, and games to support creativity and mental well-being.
At the end of the exchange, participants prepared a public presentation of their outputs (videos, graphic works, music compositions) for the local community.
The ART FLOW: Create & Sustain project offered young people a unique space for inspiration, creative thinking, and personal development in an international environment, with an emphasis on sustainability and active citizenship.
