Initial Information

Main Idea of the Project

36 youth workers, educators, young people from 9 organizations will gather in a PDA activity in Cyprus to explore the topic of body positivity, to learn different tools and methods on the topic while learning from experienced trainers, learning from each other, testing different methods and gong through specific topics, sharing experiences as well as creating digital content to be promoted online and to reach young people in our local communities to spread the awareness.

It is important to raise awareness on body acceptance among young people because negative body image can have serious consequences on an individual's physical and mental health and grow, and this training course will allow youth workers, educators, facilitators to get familiar with different tools and methods to work on the topic and bring closer this project to the target group of adolescents and young people.

Having a negative body image can lead to low self-esteem, which can in turn lead to poor mental health and even depression. It can also lead to unhealthy behaviors such as restrictive eating, over-exercising, or the use of unhealthy weight loss methods.

Raising awareness on body acceptance can help young people develop a more positive and healthy relationship with their bodies, which can lead to improved mental health and overall well-being. It can also help to reduce the risk of developing eating disorders and other negative health outcomes. By promoting body acceptance and diversity, we can create a more inclusive and accepting society where all bodies are valued and respected.

The Project specific objectives are:

• Improving the key competencies and skills of 36 young people/leaders on the topic of body acceptance and body positivity
• European cooperation between NGOs that are working with target group of young people and in the fields of well-being, self-improvement, skills development.
• Involve 18 participants/youth workers facing fewer opportunities or coming from rural areas1
• To increase participants' knowledge about the negative impacts of body shaming and the importance of body acceptance.
• Raise awareness about self-love and importance of accepting ourselfs
• To provide participants with tools and strategies to manage negative body thoughts and emotions, including techniques for self-compassion and self-care.
• To empower participants to advocate for body positivity and to challenge harmful societal norms related to body image among young people through local activities and follow up activities
• To create a safe and supportive environment for participants to share their experiences and learn from one another.
• To test minimum 5 specific methods on the topic of body positivity
• To develop Spotify podcast with 3 episodes on the main topics of body acceptance
• To involve local community in the local event organized as a follow up activity, with minimum 10 participants.

Project activities will involve:

• Define body acceptance
• Examine the ways in which society promotes body dissatisfaction
• The negative impacts of body shaming
• Explore the role of social media in body acceptance:
• Share personal stories of body acceptance
• Identify how we feel and how we want to feel in the future
• Examine the impact of diet culture
• Discuss the intersection of body acceptance and other forms of discrimination
• Discuss the role of mental health in body acceptance
• Share resources and methods for body acceptance
• Put proposed methods into practice
• Practical workshops on yoga, meditation, body movement, body painting
• Focus on self-care
• Creating digital content for young people: Spotify podcast
• Body positivity fashion show

Methods used: based on experimental learning, in combination with practical theory and information. Learning by doing method.

Project results to be created during the TC:

• Spotify podcast on body awareness episodes (3 episodes)
• Body positive fashion show
• Video

Dissemination activities (per partner):

• 1 follow up activity = workshop with local young people in the local community (ex.self-love and yoga)

• 5 social media post per partner on the topic

Expected impact on participants and organisations

• Improved physical awareness: Participants may become more attuned to their physical sensations, such as tension, discomfort, or relaxation, and learn how to manage these sensations in order to improve their overall physical well-being.
• Increased emotional awareness: Through various exercises and activities, participants may learn to identify and express their emotions in a healthy way, leading to improved emotional regulation and overall well-being.
• Improved self-awareness: A body awareness workshop can help individuals become more attuned to their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, leading to increased self-awareness and self-understanding.
• Improved communication skills: By becoming more attuned to their own and others' physical sensations and emotions, participants may develop better communication skills and be better able to express themselves effectively in various situations.
• Enhanced relaxation and stress management: A body awareness workshop can teach participants various relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation, which can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
• Improved physical performance: By becoming more aware of their body and how it moves, participants may be able to improve their physical performance in various activities, such as sports or dance.
• Enhanced creativity: By becoming more attuned to their own thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, participants may be able to tap into their creativity and come up with new and innovative ideas.
• New methods: Participants will be able to experience different methods during the training course, organized by trainers and participants themselves, and later be able to test those methods with young people during follow-up workshops: how to bring awareness among young people on the topic of body awareness and why it is important to feel good in your own body.
• Increased organizational capacity to work on this topic: 36 youth workers/leaders with newly gained competences in the field of body awareness and body acceptance, and new methods, knowledge and proper tools to use while working with adolescents and other young people in their organisations and communities, and spread these values among young people.
• 36 multipliers: 36 participants who will be part of the training course and will be multipliers of the project.
• Information on Erasmus+ programme: By taking participation in the project, participants will be able to get deeper into Erasmus+ opportunities and get motivated to join other opportunities.
• Future partnerships: organization involved into this project will have a chance to develop their partnerships, and to go deeper into the topic together with their volunteer, develop new projects and continue the journey of self-awareness.