And so, our story begins…
Nestled away from the bustle of everyday life lies the charming town of Bartninkai, Lithuania — where this journey took shape.
Young people from Portugal, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Lithuania came together this April sharing a single purpose: to deepen their understanding of what it means to nurture both their mental and physical health.
The opening two days were all about forging a team — because no great adventure is meant to be faced alone, least of all one this meaningful. Through lively games and icebreakers, the group grew closer and began stepping into the rich, complex world of emotions and inner balance.
Have fun, learn more!
In the days that followed, participants dove into a variety of activities designed to sharpen their emotional self-awareness. Using non-formal education as their compass, everyone got to tackle this journey in a way that felt natural to them. Though united by a shared goal, each person brought their own perspective — exploring the theme through games, challenges, and hands-on quests!
One standout session was Theatre of the Oppressed, where participants put different emotional regulation strategies to the test while trying to defuse hilariously over-the-top scenarios. More than just an exercise in understanding emotions, it pushed everyone to think on their feet, get creative, and lean on one another.
In another session, participants signed up for physical activities like volleyball and yoga. After tiring yet energising hours of movement, they checked in with themselves — and discovered what many already suspected: that staying active and spending time together can lift even the dreariest of moods.
Culture in the Spotlight
The group’s rich cultural diversity took centre stage during cultural night, when each national team had its moment to shine. From traditional dances and homemade foods to quirky fun facts, everyone celebrated both the things that connect them and the wonderfully unexpected differences that set them apart!
Carrying a piece of home with them, each participant glowed with pride as they raised their flags, filled the tables with flavours from their countries, and fielded their peers’ curious questions with warmth.
The mission doesn’t end here!
On the final day, sandwiched between tearful hugs and a bittersweet mood, one feeling ran through the room: this was far from a farewell, because the bonds formed over the week were stronger than any distance between their home countries.
Each participant’s journey was honoured as they received their Youthpass certificate, and together they brainstormed how to carry their new knowledge back home — into their friend circles, their schools, and their wider communities.
As everyone paused to reflect on all they had experienced and learned, one last emotional puzzle lingered in the air: how can the end of something so joyful leave such a tender ache??
Results
Some of the cool things created during this activity:
Have a look at these flipcharts about ways in which you can identify and name emotions!
Take some time and read these awesome presentations with valuable information about mental health:
History of mental health
Technology and mental health
Relation between mental and physical health
Photo Gallery
A few more moments from this activity :)
