Implementation

In this page, we are going to work on and describe all the activities day by day that were done to our PDA from Saturday, April 13, to Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Hylatio Tourist Village, at Pissouri, Limassol, Cyprus 

Day 1 - 13.04.2024 - Saturday

Who is the leader - we have opened the project with an energizer so-called "Who is the leader" - where music is played, a secret leader shows the moves and everyone follows, and one volunteer has to guess who the leader is. A few rounds were played to break the ice and create a positive atmosphere.

Name game superpower - This was the first name game of the project, everyone gathered in a circle, and one by one they went in the middle and said their name and what is one superpower or something they were very good at.

Drawing Portraits - It's an activity for getting to know each other, learning names and talking with each other. Each participant got their own paper and wrote their name. That they moved around and exchanged the papers. On a given sign, they stopped and had to draw part of the portrait of that person on the paper. In the end, the last person had to find the person whose portrait he has and take a photo. All portraits together with envelopes were put on the wall with an envelope underneath which was used to place some "presents'' and nice words to each person and nice words by his/her "secret friend".

Secret friend - Secret friend is a game where each participant takes the name of another "participant" and tries to make something beautiful for him/her during the last of the project. Giving attention, taking care, and being nice to them.

Speed dating - It's an activity where participants form 2 circles, inner circle, and outer circle, and in each round, a question was asked so they had to discuss this question for few minutes.After that, they changed partners and had to discuss another question asked by our trainers. Few rounds were made

YouthPass Islands - We split the participants into groups of four and set up eight stations, each representing one of eight key skills. At each station, there is a task card and the needed materials and equipment. Each group gets an empty "passport" divided into eight sections and one die. They had to go through all he stations, complete all the tasks and come to get a stamp once they finish in each station. The game ends when everyone has collected stamps from all eight stations or when the time is up. At the end, we discuss the game and how it relates to the skills and the project.

Mission in Pissouri - as the last activity, participants were divided into groups, and received a QR code with tasks and were taken to the village of Pissouri to complete their tasks as a team. The mission possible activity is a great team building activity for group cohesion. More information and details with photos are at link: https://body-accept.webnode.page/tasks-in-pissouri/ 

Reflection - Every day we closed it with reflections in small groups, using different methods, participants can share their impressions, and suggestions

Day 2 - Sunday 14th of April

Energiser "My name is Joe" - it was an energiser to start the day and boost the energy of the group

The backpack activity (expectations, contributions, challenges) - is an activity where everyone draws their backpacks on a piece of paper at first. Then music is played and everyone starts reflecting individually on how they applied for this project, the feeling when they were accepted, what they imagined, what they expected, do they have any fears, etc, So they start writing these things in their backpack which is divided into 3 layers - for each step of the reflection. |In the end group sharing happened.

Body statements - this workshop aimed to open the project topic and to make participant share their opinions, hear each others opinions and also give a picture to trainers about the involvement and knowledge of participants on the topic. The activity was the following: the trainers was reading statements related to body and body topic, and in the room there were divided 3 sides "yes, no, and maybe", so everyone had to chose a side, and in the end after each statement, discussion followed.

Defining terms - this workshop aimed to explore all the terms connected with our topic such as: body positivity, body negativity, positive body image, negative body image, body neutrality, body shaming etc. Participants were divided and working in groups, everyone got a topic - one of these terms, they had to explore the meaning, define it, search for examples and later presented. Presentation from each group followed.

Ideal bodies through centuries - Participants were divided into groups, with each group receiving a specific time period—such as the Baroque era, the 18th century, 1920, 1950, 1990, and 2024. Each group was tasked with creating a representation of what was seen as the ideal body in their assigned period. They used the Internet for research and were encouraged to visually present their findings through drawings or collages. At the end, everyone presented their work, shared their points of view, and watched a few videos on the same topic for further discussion and reflection.

Self-acceptance meditation - In our self-acceptance meditation workshop, we led participants through calming exercises and reflections to help them feel kinder towards themselves. We practiced deep breathing and relaxation techniques to find inner peace. Through gentle guidance, everyone learned to accept their thoughts and feelings without judging themselves. The workshop aimed to boost self-awareness, resilience, and a positive view of oneself.

Body mapping - During our body mapping workshop, each participant laid down on a large sheet of paper and traced their body outline. Then, they used colors or symbols to mark areas where they felt discomfort, pain, or other sensations. They were encouraged to highlight areas of their body that they felt positive about, areas they struggled with, and significant experiences or emotions associated with different parts of their body. This activity provided a powerful visual way for participants to express their feelings, gain insights into their body image, and promote a deeper understanding and acceptance of their bodies. Through this process, participants could reflect on their personal journeys, share their stories, and support one another in a safe and empathetic environment.

Reflection - Every day we closed it with reflections in small groups, using different methods, sp artiipants can share their impressions, and suggestions.

First intercultural night

Day 3 - 15.04.2024 - Monday

Stereotypes & Society Activity - this workshop is often used to raise awareness about stereotypes and their impact on society. Each participant receives a sticker on their back with a label, such as a profession, nationality, or personality trait. Without seeing their own label, they interact with others based on assumptions related to the label they see on other participants' backs. This activity encourages reflection on how stereotypes influence perceptions and behaviors towards others.

Media and social media checklist - The participants received the checklist and went through it individually. After completing it, the group shared and reflected on the questions together. This questionnaire was individual and aimed to do a self reflection, but also to open the topic of Bodies in media.

Body in Pop Culture - The participants wrote down their favorite songs, music videos, series, games, and movies. They then created a group list. Once the list was ready, the participants divided into small groups to take one song and analyze it based on the discussion and reflection questions. In the end, each team presented their song and video, they shared thor perception of what they analyzed and others could also give comments or feedback.

Social media campaigns - participants were divided into national teams, and each team had to explore positive but also negative campaigns in their countries where the topic of the body is presented, and to analyse what kind of campaigns are presented to people especially young people, what they show, what kind of influence they have,

Reflection - Every day we closed it with reflections in small groups, using different methods, sp artiipants can share their impressions, and suggestions.

Second Intercultural Night

Day 4 - 16.04.2024 - Tuesday

Connecting with nature - we started with grounding activities in order to feel more connected with earth.We begin with the participants walking on the grass barefoot and be aware of this feeling.Barefoot walking has been shown to help increase antioxidants, reduce inflammation and improve sleep.The next activity was to walk in pairs,one was blindfold and the other was the guide, and we also placed on the floor some sensory mads in order to activate their senses.Sensory play encourages learning through exploration, curiosity, problem solving and creativity.And, we continue with blindfold activities and active listening activities.All,these activities aimed the participants to connect with themselves and others and to develop trust between them.At the end of each activity,we did a reflection and each participant could express their thoughts and emotions.

-Mindful Eating- In the Mindful Eating workshop, everyone focused on eating slowly and paying close attention to their food. Each person held a small amount of food and looked at it carefully, noticing how it felt, its color, and smell. Then, they took a small bite and savored it, thinking about how it tasted and felt in their mouth. This helped them be more mindful and connected to their food, and appreciate eating more.

Self-esteem workshop portrait - In our self-esteem workshop, each participant created a portrait of themselves and wrote comments or positive / negative messages and feelingsinside it. Afterward, we moved around the room, visiting each portrait of other people to write compliments or words of encouragement for the person. This activity boosted our self-esteem and created positivity and received affirmations from others. It created a supportive atmosphere where everyone felt valued and appreciated.

Trip to Paphos and local tasks - In the second half of the day, the group took an organized trip to Paphos where they had a chance to make few stops, do cultural exploration, enjoy Cypriot culture and meet locals. ALso, they had some local tasks to do, such as interviewing locals and exploring their opinions on the topic of Body awareness

Day 5 - 17.04.2024 - Wednesday

Image theater - We worked through Image Theatre games to explore different ways of expressing emotions and ideas through body movement. This helped us understand the power of nonverbal communication and how it can enhance our performances on stage. In one of these activities,they worked in pairs, with one being the sculptor and the other being the clay. This activity allowed us to deepen our understanding of physical storytelling and how it can be used to convey complex emotions and narratives without words. By embodying different characters and scenarios related to our training topic, we were able to expand our creative expression and connect with our audience on a deeper level.

Forum theater- Forum Theatre offers youth a creative and empowering platform to explore social issues, express themselves, and enact meaningful change in their communities. By engaging in interactive role-playing and dialogue, youth participants develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and a sense of civic engagement, laying the foundation for a more just and equitable society. We split participants in five groups, giving them three different topics such as body shaming etc.Then we gave them some minutes to prepare their play, and then they performed it one time, and on the second one, anyone from the audience (spect-actor) could stop the play and play one of the characters,changing the outcome. This interactive approach allowed for a deeper exploration of the themes and encouraged audience engagement. It provided a unique opportunity for participants to challenge and reshape the narrative about body image in real time.

Boundaries- We did a kinesthetic activity designed to explore personal boundaries. The participants were divided into two groups, A and B, and positioned in two rows facing each other.In the first part of the activity, individuals from Group A were instructed to walk through the line formed by Group B. At any point, if someone from Group B felt uncomfortable or wanted to assert their personal space, they could say "Stop," and the person from Group A would have to pause.In the second part of the activity, the dynamics were shifted. This time, Group B members were coached by trainers to not stop anyone from crossing their boundaries. The purpose of this exercise was to highlight the importance of respecting personal boundaries and understanding the impact of boundary violations on one's sense of safety and body image.This activity provided a powerful experiential learning opportunity, helping participants become more aware of their own boundaries and the boundaries of others, fostering empathy, and promoting a deeper understanding of personal space in the context of body image.

Signs of healthy boundaries & Seven types of boundaries - We also conducted a session to explain the concept of boundaries and their importance in maintaining healthy interactions and personal well-being. Using a flipchart, we detailed the seven types of boundaries and provided examples for each to ensure a clear understanding among the participants.

The seven types of boundaries we discussed were:

1. Physical Boundaries: These involve personal space and physical touch. We explained how respecting physical boundaries means understanding and honoring personal comfort levels with proximity and contact.
2. Emotional Boundaries: These relate to our feelings and how we manage and express them. We highlighted the importance of recognizing our emotions and communicating them appropriately while respecting others' emotional states.
3. Intellectual Boundaries: These concern our thoughts and ideas. We discussed the value of respecting differing opinions and intellectual property.
4. Sexual Boundaries: These include consent and respect in sexual interactions. We emphasized the importance of mutual consent and understanding in all sexual activities.
5. Material Boundaries: These pertain to possessions and how we share or protect them. We provided examples of how to set limits on lending or borrowing items and respecting others' belongings.
6. Time Boundaries: These involve how we use and value our time. We discussed strategies for managing time effectively and respecting others' time commitments.
7. Relational Boundaries: These address our roles and responsibilities in relationships. We explained how to maintain healthy relationships by setting clear expectations and limits.

We also talked about the signs of healthy boundaries, which include:

• Self-Awareness: Understanding and recognizing your own needs, feelings, and limits.
• Clear Communication: Being able to clearly express your boundaries and needs to others.
• Respect for Others: Honoring and respecting the boundaries of others.
• Assertiveness: Confidently and respectfully standing up for your own boundaries without being aggressive.
• Emotional Stability: Maintaining your emotional balance and not feeling guilty or anxious when enforcing your boundaries.
• Mutuality: Engaging in relationships where there is a balance of give and take, ensuring both parties' needs and boundaries are respected.
• Consistency: Being consistent in upholding your boundaries over time.

Throughout the session, we emphasized the importance of these boundaries in protecting one's sense of self and promoting healthy, respectful interactions. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own boundaries and consider how they can communicate and enforce them in their daily lives.This discussion provided valuable insights into the role of boundaries in fostering self-respect and mutual respect, contributing to a positive body image and overall well-being.

Art Therapy timeline activity- In our art therapy timeline activity, participants explored their relationships with their body image through creative expression. Each participant created a visual timeline, using drawings, colors, and symbols to represent significant moments and experiences that have shaped their perception of their body. This activity provided a safe and reflective space for participants to chronicle their journey, identify pivotal events, and express their feelings about their body image over time. By engaging in this artistic process, participants gained insights into how past experiences influence their current self-image and fostered a deeper understanding and acceptance of their bodies.

Journaling - In the journaling workshop, participants were given notebooks that our trainers created and personalized, and encouraged everyone to write down their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, to reflect on their own personal stories and write them down. They were guided with some questions and exercises to help them express themselves freely on paper. This activity aimed to promote self-reflection, creativity, and emotional well-being through writing.

Meditation the observer - In the meditation "The Observer" workshop, participants practiced being observers of their thoughts,feelings and their memories through a guided meditation. They sat quietly, focusing on their breathing, and whenever a thought came up, they acknowledged it without getting too involved and without judgment. The aim of this activity was to help participants learn to step back from their thoughts and emotions, recognizing that they are separate from these internal experiences.By cultivating this perspective, participants aimed to promote inner calm and gain a deeper understanding that they are the creators of their lives, capable of mastering their thoughts rather than being controlled by them. This practice fosters a sense of empowerment and self-awareness, enabling individuals to navigate their emotions and sensations with greater ease and composure.

Reflection - Every day we closed it with reflections in small groups, using different methods, so participants can share their impressions, and suggestions.

3rd Intercultural Night 

Day 6 - 18.04.2024 - Thursday

Getting into other people's shoes- This activity is divided into three parts and always done in pairs of two people. One of the participants is moving through the music, and the other is observing and capturing creativity through drawing what he/she experienced through this observation. The second round is about the observer capturing the experience through words-poem. And lastly, the observer has to dance afterwards for one minute showing the essence of the movement that the previous person demonstrated. This activity encourages participants to engage both physically and creatively, fostering a deeper understanding of each other's perspectives and experiences. It also promotes active listening and communication skills, creating a dynamic and interactive learning environment.

Limassol trip - In the second half of the day, the group took an organized trip to Limassol where they had a chance to make few stops, do cultural exploration, enjoy Cypriot culture and meet locals. Also, they had some local tasks to do, such as interviewing locals and exploring their opinions on the topic of Body awareness

Day 7 - 19.04.2024 - Friday

A podcast about body acceptance - participants undertook the challenge to learn how to do a podcast and to record a podcast. They were divided in different teams, each team elaborating and preparing a different topic of the project. They took time to prepare as a group, to explore the topic, and also to record the episode and edit it. All episodes published on YouTube. you can find alllinks here:

Podcast 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3QelZFY7i4

PodCast 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BA2Qo4_Pi5Y

PodCast 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmt-usrW-Yk

PodCast 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8zt8903ymE

Creation and presenting/testing of methods - In our workshop on the creation of methods, participants worked in their national teams to develop at least two new innovative methods. They then presented these methods in small groups, set up as stations, to test them. Other participants rotated between stations, providing feedback on each method. All workshops will be published and can support other youth workers when working on the topic.

Day 8 - 20.04.2024 - Saturday

Hiking in Pissouri: In the morning a group of participants decided to go for a hiking to Pissouri routes since our Cypriot participants were expert in Hiking and they were willing to guide them with safety. The following video shows their experience (amazing views and walking in Pissouri mountains next to the beach): 

Fishing ideas - we used the "fishing ideas" method for brainstorming new potential ideas and discovering the interest of our participants. Participants wrote their ideas on paper fish cut-outs and placed them in an imaginary makeshift pond on the floow. Each participant then took turns fishing for ideas, reading them aloud, and discussing them with the group. This interactive approach encouraged creativity and collaboration, helping us generate new ideas for the project.

Erasmus+ opportunities - We made a detailed presentation about Erasmus+ opportunities for young people. We included links to helpful resources and official websites. After the presentation, we discussed the different opportunities, answered questions, and talked about how participants could benefit from Erasmus+.

Presenting ideas and methods - We presented ideas and methods from the project. Each national team shared the method they created over the previous days. Then, we presented all the results from the project.

Self-reflection - Everyone took some time to think about their own experiences and what they learned during the project. We have used the 5 fingers method as well as the journals from the previous days

Writing messages on their back - each participant had a blank paper on their back, and everyone was going to write some message or nice words to each other, so they can take this paper at home and have it as a memory from the project

Giving YouthPass - Reflection, evaluation of the program through a questionnaire, summing up and giving of youthpasses.  More photos of the ceremony to the link: https://body-accept.webnode.page/youth-pass-ceremony/

In photo gallery there are more photos of the whole week: https://body-accept.webnode.page/photo-gallery/