Kick-off meeting of “The Art Sanctuary” projectopens a creative path to youth mental well-being

The Erasmus+ project “The Art Sanctuary” (2024-3-IT03-KA153-YOU-000290705) officially
began with an online kick-off meeting, setting the foundation for a year-long journey into the intersection of art, mental health, and youth work. Led by Mosaica APS (Italy), the project brings together an active network of partners: Caminho (Portugal), Kultur & Art Initiative (Germany), Pangaea Youth Network (Denmark), Youth Horizons (Greece), and Sensi Holistic Creative Agency (Italy).

The meeting offered an opportunity to align on the project’s purpose: empowering youth workers through training in art therapy techniques to support young people’s emotional well-being.

Partners revisited the project’s four main objectives: enhancing skills, promoting mental health, introducing non-verbal communication tools, and creatively empowering youth workers and began shaping the practical and creative strategies to reach them.
A key focus of the session was the upcoming APV, scheduled for mid-September in Rome. The APV will allow project leaders and facilitators to fine-tune the learning environment, ensure accessibility, and define inclusive and trauma-sensitive methodologies ahead of the main training event in the first half of December.

The partners also discussed how the final online booklet will be co-created by participants
during the project’s implementation phase. This resource will serve as a practical and adaptable guide, sharing techniques, exercises, and reflections for other youth workers across Europe.

Dissemination and sustainability were paramount to the conversation. In addition to local
follow-up events and a wide-reaching digital strategy, the team reaffirmed their commitment to building a long-term network of practitioners promoting mental health through art in their communities.

The kick-off meeting ended with mutual enthusiasm and shared responsibility. With the
background set, The Art Sanctuary is now ready to bring color, care, and creativity to the heart of youth work.

Stay tuned as the project extends across Europe, transforming how we think about youth
support.