🇩🇪 Erasmus+ Training Course in Germany ✍️ Creative Autobiography and Storytelling for Youth Work 🎭

Description

A hands-on Erasmus+ training for youth workers exploring creative autobiography, storytelling, Photovoice, theatre and digital storytelling as tools for identity, self-expression, inclusion and emotionally safe youth work.

What happens when we give young people more ways to tell their story?

STORY2SPEAK is a practical Erasmus+ training course for youth workers, educators, trainers and facilitators who want to use creative autobiography and storytelling as tools for identity, self-expression, connection and participation.

Not every young person finds it easy to explain what they feel, where they belong or what they have experienced. Sometimes conversation alone is not enough. A photograph, fictional character, movement, memory, voice recording or a few written lines can open a different door.

During the training, participants will experiment with:

• creative autobiography and personal storytelling

• creative writing

• autobiographical theatre and movement

• Photovoice and visual storytelling

• Digital Storytelling

• identity, voice and self-expression

• emotional literacy and reflective practice

• consent, boundaries and ethical storytelling

• trauma-aware and inclusive facilitation

• peer learning and intercultural exchange

• adapting creative methods to everyday youth work

The training is based on non-formal education and learning by doing. Participants will write, photograph, move, create, experiment, work in groups, reflect and exchange practice. This is not a lecture-based training.

Because personal stories can involve sensitive material, particular attention will be given to consent, boundaries, emotional safety and ethical facilitation. Participants always decide how deeply they want to engage with their own personal material.

The aim is not to turn participants into artists. The aim is to provide practical creative methods that youth workers can adapt and use with young people in their own organisations and communities.

The training is primarily aimed at youth workers, youth leaders, trainers, educators, mentors and volunteers who work directly with young people or communities in non-formal learning settings.

No previous experience in writing, acting, photography, filmmaking or editing is required. Curiosity, motivation and active participation are more important than artistic experience.

Each participant will also develop a concrete follow-up plan for transferring at least one method into their local youth-work practice.

Dates: 3–10 November 2026

Venue: Berlin-Heiligensee, Germany

Working language: English

Countries: Germany, Slovakia, Spain, Bulgaria and Italy

The project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.

This stays very close to the core concept in the infopack: creative writing, autobiographical theatre, Photovoice, Digital Storytelling, reflective practice and inner-child work, combined with consent, boundaries, emotional safety and trauma-aware facilitation.

Activity details

Activity type

Training Course

Activity dates

3-10 November 2026

Location

Berlin, Germany

Application deadline

7 October 2026

Selection date

8 October 2026

Participants

20

Recommended for

Youth workers, Trainers, Youth leaders, Volunteering mentors, Youth coaches, Youth researchers, Educators, mentors, facilitators and active volunteers working directly with young people or communities in non-formal learning settings

Working language

English

Organiser

Costs

Participation fee

There is no participation fee. Participation in the training course is fully supported by the Erasmus+ project. No contribution will be requested from participants before departure or during the project.

Accommodation and food

Accommodation and full board are organised by Talent Push e.V. and fully covered by the project. Participants stay in shared rooms at Zeltlagerplatz Heiligensee – Gruppenhaus in Berlin. Three meals per day and coffee breaks with snacks are provided. Vegan and omnivore options are available, and dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances are collected in advance. Bed linen is provided; participants should bring their own towel.

Travel reimbursement

Travel costs are reimbursed based on real and documented expenses, up to the maximum amount allocated for each country. Participants must send their proposed itinerary and total price to the organisers and receive written approval before purchasing tickets. Maximum reimbursement per participant: Slovakia: up to €417 with green travel; €309 if travelling by plane Spain: up to €309 Italy: up to €309 Bulgaria: up to €309 Germany: up to €285, provided the journey qualifies as green travel Green travel means that more than half of the total return journey is made by low-emission transport such as train, coach or shared car. Reimbursement is based on actual eligible costs and cannot exceed the stated ceiling. Participants must retain all tickets, invoices, boarding passes and relevant local transport documents.

Looking for participants from

5 countries can apply. The activity takes place in Berlin, Germany.