Erasmus+ training course for youth workers and educators "Europe's Lens" in Poland, blog by Elfi

For me, joining an Erasmus+ training course isn’t only about picking up new skills – it’s also about getting to know different cultures, meeting amazing people, and finding inspiration in the stories and experiences everyone brings with them.

I decided to join this project as I am constantly trying to find new creative outlets for myself. As someone who was highly involved in scriptwriting for film-related projects in high school, I truly wanted to revisit this passion and was truly very privileged to be part of this awesome project.

This project truly taught me to learn new perspectives. The resources and non-formal educational methods truly showcased and taught me what kind of discrimination can exist in everyday life. As a result, I feel like I learnt about different ways to express potential social injustices, especially in an artistic way.

Moreover, I felt truly seen and like I was given a voice to speak about my personal experiences with discrimination. The professionality and friendliness of the coordinates truly shone brightly, and all the other participants were very kind, interesting and intellectual individuals. Through understanding and mutual respect, a safe environment for the discussion of such potentially sensitive topics was created. It felt like being part of a community where every story mattered.

I believe that this project enhanced my skills in filmmaking, and more specifically, greatly empowered me as a person. The overwhelming positive and supportive feedback from my teammates and coordinators likewise helped me once more reconnect with my creativity and think of other ways to pursue this creative outlet. The tasks we were encouraged to do helped me think of other future activities to do with my colleagues and classmates in the university to cultivate awareness for discrimination in our society.

Looking back, I realize this project gave me so much more than I expected. I came for creativity, awareness and filmmaking, but I left with new friends, new ideas, and a stronger belief in the power of sharing our stories. That’s what makes Erasmus+ so special – it stays with you long after the training ends.