Create the Moment was a nine-day training program that focused on providing youth workers highly impactful tools they need to increase the quality of their work, creativity, resilience, active engagement, personal and professional development and mental well-being using techniques based on the core values of art improvisation and Flow Theory.
The project aims:
– To enhance and upgrade the quality of youth workers’ practice, resilience and mental well being, by incorporating improvisation and its core values: empathy, trust, risk-taking and innovation, inclusivity, adaptability, playfulness, collaboration, acceptance, into their work.
– To equip youth workers with the skills and knowledge needed to use improvisation as a tool for communication, innovation, active participation, problem-solving and team-building, as well as a means of promoting positive mental health and stress management.
– To raise awareness of the importance of self-care and well-being for youth workers, and to provide them with practical strategies for using improvisation to support the mental well-being, inclusion and active participation of young people in their care.
– To promote the integration of improvisation into youth work practice, to the benefit of both youth workers and the young people they work with.
– To provide methods and tools that can upgrade the quality of youth work as well as personal, professional development and mental well-being of individuals that are actively involved in youth work.
The course concluded with sharing of best practices and resources for incorporating improvisation into youth work practice. Participants received a certificate of attendance from the Erasmus+ program.
Project objectives:
– Promote mental health and well-being among youth workers by using improvisation as a tool to manage stress and enhance resilience.
– Promote life-long learning and non-formal educational practices.
– Develop the communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills of youth workers through active participation in improvisation activities and workshops.
– Encourage creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and critical thinking among youth workers by providing them with opportunities to practice these skills in a supportive and safe environment.
– Provide methods that will make youth workers’ practices more inclusive.
– Enhance youth workers’ ability to engage and connect with young people through the use of improvisation in their work.
– Improve team-building and leadership skills among youth workers, as well as their ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate with others.
– Foster personal and professional growth and development among youth workers, by providing them with opportunities to reflect on their practice and explore new techniques and approaches to youth work.
– Provide a platform for youth workers to share their experiences, exchange best practices, and network with colleagues from other countries.
– Inform participants about the ERASMUS+ Programme as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth.
The project was linked with the objectives of the Erasmus+ Programme in the field of youth and it strongly promoted the importance of mental health and well-being, social inclusion, youth work, personal and professional development of youth workers. The project also enhanced international cooperation as it was addressed to organizations from both Program Countries and Eastern Partnership.
Activities
Training course
A 9-days training course was implemented in Hungary. The project involved 24 participants from both Erasmus+ program countries (Finland, Greece, Austria, France, Hungary) and Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine) who were over 18 years old as well as trainers and support staff.
The goal of the project was to bring together a group of youth workers, peer educators, volunteers, trainers, NGO staff, educators or individuals who are all motivated in facilitating their own personal and professional development by incorporating creative and expressive practices into their daily lives and work environments. Participants came from a wide range of backgrounds, with some experiencing cultural, economic, geographical, social or educational obstacles.
A variety of non-formal learning methods and activities were applied to support participants with their personal and professional development as well as mental well-being such as:
– Flow theory
– Positive psychology
– Team building activities
– Informational activities
– Art therapy
– Dance improvisation sessions
– Theater improvisation sessions
– Creative writing sessions
In general the methodology was based on non-formal education and learning by doing approach. It included daily reflection sessions and evaluation activities.
Follow-up activities
🇦🇲 Armenia – Finding Your Flow: Focus & Erasmus+ Opportunities (27 September 2025)
On 27 September 2025, Youth Horizons Armenia, in cooperation with the Armenian Centre for Cultural Relations and Development, hosted an online webinar titled “Finding Your Flow: Focus & Erasmus+ Opportunities” as part of the Create the Moment project. The session gathered 16 motivated participants to explore the psychology of the “Flow” state and its practical application in everyday life, studies, and work. Led by expert speaker Avag Grigoryan, the webinar combined theoretical insights with interactive discussions, encouraging participants to reflect on how mastering focus can enhance personal growth and unlock international learning opportunities through Erasmus+.
The activity provided a valuable platform for young people to deepen their understanding of concentration, self-awareness, and purposeful engagement. Participants highlighted that the session helped them view productivity as attention management rather than time management. The event fostered an atmosphere of curiosity and collaboration, aligning perfectly with the Create the Moment project’s mission to promote mindfulness, creativity, and personal development in youth work.
🇦🇲 🇫🇷 Armenia and France – Joint Online Webinar on Creativity and Flow (24 October 2025)
On 24 October 2025, Armenian Centre for Cultural Relations and Development and the Association des Relations Culturelles jointly organised an online dissemination webinar as part of the Create the Moment project. The event was hosted by Nare Manukyan and featured Marine Mossot as guest speaker, bringing together participants from Armenia and France for an inspiring intercultural exchange on creativity and personal growth.
The session highlighted key elements of the project, including Flow Theory, artistic expression, and experiential learning methods used during the training course in Hungary. Through shared reflections and discussion, participants explored how creative practices such as storytelling, movement, and mindful presence can strengthen communication and connection across cultures. The event created a warm and engaging atmosphere, celebrating the ongoing collaboration between Armenian and French participants. A short video summary of the webinar is available on Instagram: watch here.
🇦🇹 Austria – Improvisation Workshop within “Waves of Inclusion” (18 September 2025)
On 18 September 2025, the Austrian Association for Cultural Relations organised a short dissemination workshop at KLYO Café, Vienna, as part of the Create the Moment project. The session, conducted by Dragana Vasilijević-Valent, introduced six participants to improvisational techniques as a creative preparation for filming short movies within the Waves of Inclusion project, jointly implemented by Moveo International (Austria) and Crps NGO (Serbia).
Drawing inspiration from the Create the Moment training course, the workshop revisited the memorable metaphor of “frying potatoes”, which helped participants understand how to build the structure of a scene and prepare effectively before filming. Through playful yet purposeful improvisation, participants explored how spontaneity and collaboration enhance storytelling and inclusion in creative projects. The activity successfully connected the principles of improvisation and flow to real-world artistic practice, demonstrating the transferability of project methods into diverse cultural and educational contexts.
🇦🇹 Austria – Erasmus+ and Flow Theory presentation in Graz (5 October 2025)
On 5 October 2025, Veronika Shelestova organised a follow-up event at the Martin Auer Center in Graz with seven participants. The session began with an introduction to Erasmus+, where Veronika explained how the programme works and the motivation of the European Union behind funding youth learning opportunities. Participants expressed surprise and curiosity about the accessibility of such international projects, leading to an open discussion about how to find and apply for them.
Veronika then shared insights from her experience in the Create the Moment training course, describing the daily programme, the concept of Flow Theory, and the mix of creative and reflective methods used during the activity. She highlighted both the challenges and rewarding aspects of participating, encouraging others to explore Erasmus+ as a pathway for personal and intercultural growth. The session concluded with a Q&A, where participants expressed great interest in joining future projects.
🇫🇷 France – “Create the Moment” Follow-up Activities in Bordeaux (September–October 2025)
Between September and October 2025, Association des Relations Culturelles supported a series of follow-up activities in Bordeaux, initiated and coordinated by Evelyne Lherm from ESN Bordeaux to extend the experience of the Create the Moment project. The initiatives aimed to integrate the project’s artistic and reflective methods—particularly Flow Theory and improvisational creativity—into the association’s local events with international students. Rather than a single event, the follow-up consisted of multiple small-scale and spontaneous actions, each highlighting creativity, collaboration, and intercultural connection. These included a Creative Table during a Language Café where participants practiced French through the “Yes, And” storytelling method; a Jam Session in Lacanau recreating the spontaneous joy of shared artistic expression; and a Yoga Session during the ESN Integration Weekend, engaging over thirty students in a collective exploration of balance, focus, and flow.
In addition to these structured moments, informal discussions emerged around Flow Theory and its connection to nature, reflecting the project’s deeper emotional and philosophical dimensions. Participants shared personal reflections on mindfulness, presence, and unity with their environment. The series culminated in the development of a forthcoming theatre and public-speaking workshop—linking law, art, and communication—designed to help international students build confidence through creative expression. Altogether, these activities vividly demonstrated how Create the Moment continues to inspire local initiatives, fostering intercultural dialogue, self-awareness, and collaborative learning in everyday settings.
🇬🇪 Georgia – Online Presentation on Flow Theory (21 October 2025)
On 21 October 2025, the Georgian Association for Cultural Relations organised an online presentation on Flow Theory for students of Ilia State University as part of the Create the Moment project. Conducted via Google Meet, the session gathered around 16 students who explored the psychological concept of flow developed by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. The presentation introduced the key components of the theory—such as balance between challenge and skill, deep concentration, immediate feedback, and the sense of control and timelessness that define optimal experience.
Through interactive discussion and personal reflection, participants identified moments in their studies, creative work, and sports where they had naturally experienced flow. The exchange encouraged them to think about how to consciously create such conditions in their academic and personal lives. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with students expressing appreciation for the topic’s relevance and the engaging delivery. The activity effectively translated one of Create the Moment’s core themes—mindful focus and engagement—into a meaningful local learning experience.
🇬🇷 Greece – Flow and Balance Workshop at the University of Athens
As a follow-up to the Create the Moment project, Kostas Vasilopoulos and George Koulopoulos organised a small dissemination workshop at the University of Athens with six participants. The session began with an interactive balance and connection exercise in pairs, where participants explored physical coordination, trust, and communication through movement. This playful introduction created an open and reflective atmosphere, mirroring the experiential approach used during the original training course.
Following the activity, the facilitators introduced Flow Theory, discussing how the state of full immersion and focus can enhance creativity and well-being. To conclude, each participant created a personal drawing representing their own “flow state” — whether through music, art, sports, or other passions. The workshop provided a meaningful opportunity for students to reflect on their motivations, connect theory with personal experience, and apply Create the Moment’s core ideas to their everyday lives.
🇭🇺 Hungary – Presentation on Erasmus+ Opportunities and the Create the Moment Project (8 October 2025)
On 8 October 2025, Júlia Kriván organised a dissemination event at her university for a group of 13 pedagogy students as part of the Create the Moment project. The session aimed to introduce participants to Erasmus+ opportunities and inspire them to take part in international learning experiences. Júlia gave a comprehensive presentation about the Erasmus+ programme, explaining who can participate, how to find open calls, and what benefits such projects offer for personal and professional growth.
She also presented her experience from the Create the Moment training course, sharing details about the project’s location, hosting organisation, international participants, and the creative, experiential activities that shaped the learning process. Júlia spoke about how the project influenced her perspective and motivation, and she encouraged attendees to explore similar opportunities in the future. The event successfully raised awareness of Erasmus+ programmes while promoting intercultural learning and active engagement in youth mobility projects.
🇺🇦 Ukraine – Online Webinar on Create the Moment and Erasmus+ Opportunities (15 October 2025)
On 15 October 2025, Tetiana Nikora conducted an online webinar presenting the Create the Moment project. The session introduced participants to the Erasmus+ programme, explaining its goals, types of projects, and application process. Attendees showed strong engagement, asking insightful questions about participation opportunities and the practical aspects of joining international learning experiences.
Tetiana also shared highlights from Create the Moment, focusing on key topics such as Flow Theory, creative learning, and experiential education. Using examples from the training – like dance, theatre, relaxation, and collage-making – she illustrated how these tools enhance teamwork, communication, and self-expression. The event created a warm and motivating atmosphere, inspiring participants to stay curious, embrace creativity, and pursue their own Erasmus+ journeys. The webinar was supported by Forward for Future, whose collaboration made this dissemination activity possible.
🇺🇦 🇫🇮 Ukraine and Finland – Joint Online Webinar on Creativity and Flow (27 October 2025)
On 27 October 2025, participants from Ukraine and Finland held a joint online webinar inspired by the Create the Moment training course in Hungary. The event brought together young people from both countries to exchange experiences, explore Erasmus+ opportunities, and discuss how creativity – through dance, theatre, and art – can foster growth and meaningful human connection.
The session revisited central themes of the project, including Flow Theory, experiential learning, and creative educational methods. Participants reflected on how activities such as dance, theatre exercises, relaxation practices, and collage-making can strengthen teamwork, communication, and self-expression. The discussion also acknowledged the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, author of Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, whose ideas inspired much of the project’s methodology. The webinar was warm, interactive, and full of positive energy, successfully continuing the spirit of Create the Moment across borders and demonstrating how shared creativity can connect people even at a distance.
Impact
The training assisted participants in effectively improving and upgrading the quality of their youth work, everyday practice and mental and overall well-being. They gained skills, knowledge and key competencies that assist them in doing so. It also increased their active participation, self-confidence, creativity, resilience, personal and professional growth and development as well as mental well-being.
Furthermore, youth organizations and their collaborators generated new ideas and projects, as well as raise public awareness of their activities and extend their outreach. The project empowered youth workers by providing them with a framework in which they can improve their youth work techniques and practices, self-awareness, communication skills, and life approach by utilizing experiential learning, basic values of improvisation, mindfulness, and reflective practices as tools. Participants got the opportunity to share ideas and skills with colleagues from host and partner organisations, increasing their knowledge and impactful methods. They also gained multicultural communication skills, qualifying them for future international projects.
Participants made an impact at international, European, national, regional and local level by sharing their experiences with several other youth workers. This lead to international collaboration and the creation of new European projects. This project contributed to upgrading the quality of youth work and the growth of youth and Erasmus+ community.
Results
As a key outcome of the Create the Moment project, a practical handbook has been developed to support youth workers in applying improvisation, movement-based and creative methods in their everyday practice. The publication gathers selected activities tested during the project, complemented by short methodological explanations and reflections to help practitioners adapt them to different youth work contexts. The handbook serves as a long-term resource for fostering emotional awareness, creativity, and group dynamics, ensuring the sustainability and transferability of the project’s results beyond the training experience.
Create the Moment – A handbook for improvisation and creative methods in youth work
Profile of participants
This training gathered 24 participants who are employed (or volunteering) directly at the partnering organizations, or who are working with their local partners, and contribute to the activities organised in the future in collaboration with the sending organisation. The training course was designed for:
– Youth Workers and Educators
– Youth Leaders and Volunteers
– Project Coordinators and Organizers
– Teachers and Trainers in Non-formal Education
– Community and Social Workers
– Erasmus+ Coordinators and Facilitators
– Young People with Leadership Potential
Additional requirements from the participants included:
– Good level of English to follow the courses and to contribute to it;
– Wish and ability to participate fully in the two training course.
Key information
Date and location: 6-15 September 2025 | Fonyod (Hungary)
Partner countries: Armenia, Austria, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Ukraine
Number of participants: 24 participants + 4 staff
Info pack: Create the Moment (pdf)