🎥 Join “Beyond the Lenses” in 🇪🇸 Spain! 🌍 Explore Documentary Filmmaking as a Tool for Peacebuilding, Human Rights & Alternative Narratives! 🎬✨

Project Type: Erasmus+ Training Course
Location: Madrid, Spain 🇪🇸
Dates: 3–9 December 2025 (including travel days)
Application Deadline: 19 November 2025
Application Form: Apply Here

🌟 About the Project

In a world dominated by conflict-driven media, “Beyond the Lenses” aims to shift the focus — from division to dialogue, from violence to peace. 🌿

This Erasmus+ Training Course will gather 22 creative participants from across Europe in Madrid, Spain, to explore documentary filmmaking as a transformative tool for peacebuilding, Human Rights education, and social change.

Participants will learn how to use their lenses and voices to capture real stories of coexistence, solidarity, and cooperation — and turn them into powerful messages of hope.

The project includes a second training in Nicosia, Cyprus, where participants will continue their learning journey and co-produce a semi-professional documentary showcasing grassroots efforts for peace and inclusion.

🎯 Main Objectives

🎥 Equip participants with practical documentary production skills (pre-production, filming, and editing).
🤝 Deepen understanding of Peace Studies, Conflict Transformation, and Human Rights.
💬 Develop Non-Violent Communication (NVC) and emotional literacy skills.
📚 Create alternative narratives that challenge stereotypes and strengthen social cohesion.
🌍 Foster civic participation through audiovisual storytelling.
✨ Facilitate the collective creation of three documentary chapters on conflict transformation.
🧩 Support at least six follow-up local initiatives inspired by the training.
🎬 Build a European network of young filmmakers, educators, and peace activists.

👥 Participant Profile

We are looking for 22 participants who are residents of an Erasmus+ Programme Country and fit the following profiles:

🎨 Creative young people passionate about storytelling and innovative narratives.
🕊️ Youth workers and educators engaged in Human Rights or peace education.
🎥 Filmmakers, writers, and visual/performance artists exploring creative activism.
💡 Youth and community leaders involved in grassroots or civic initiatives.
💬 Communication professionals or digital creators working in NGOs or youth projects.
🌍 Young changemakers eager to use media for peace and social transformation.
❤️ Individuals motivated by positive change, inclusion, and community resilience.

Participants must be 18+, open-minded, and motivated to attend both project phases (Madrid 🇪🇸 and Nicosia 🇨🇾).

🌐 Methodology & Learning Approach

The training will follow the principles of Non-Formal Education, ensuring a creative, participatory, and learner-centered experience.

It will combine:

🎭 Workshops & group activities on storytelling and documentary creation
💬 Reflection sessions on conflict transformation and civic engagement
🎞️ Practical filming & editing exercises
🌍 Collaborative team projects based on real community stories

Learning will be experiential, holistic, and focused on empowerment, dialogue, and active citizenship.

🌍 Eligible Countries

Belgium 🇧🇪, Bulgaria 🇧🇬, Czech Republic 🇨🇿, Greece 🇬🇷, Spain 🇪🇸, France 🇫🇷, Lithuania 🇱🇹, Luxembourg 🇱🇺, Hungary 🇭🇺, Portugal 🇵🇹, Romania 🇷🇴, Slovenia 🇸🇮, Denmark 🇩🇰, Germany 🇩🇪, Estonia 🇪🇪, Ireland 🇮🇪, Croatia 🇭🇷, Italy 🇮🇹, Cyprus 🇨🇾, Latvia 🇱🇻, Malta 🇲🇹, Netherlands 🇳🇱, Austria 🇦🇹, Poland 🇵🇱, Slovakia 🇸🇰, Finland 🇫🇮, Sweden 🇸🇪, North Macedonia 🇲🇰, Serbia 🇷🇸, Iceland 🇮🇸, Norway 🇳🇴, Türkiye 🇹🇷