Together for more resilient futures – via nature, creativity, and care
Erasmus+ youth mobility project
Together for More Resilient Futures is an Erasmus+ youth exchange project exploring how creativity, community and connection with nature can support young people's well-being, personal development and emotional resilience. Implemented in cooperation with My Madeira Island, the project brings together young people living in Germany and Portugal coming from all over the world, creating space for self-expression, mutual understanding and new perspectives on navigating personal and collective challenges.
The first exchange took place in Essen, Germany, in August 2026, bringing together 24 participants from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. Based in the welcoming, nature-connected Atelier Horst, the group explored resilience, community and artistic expression through creative workshops, reflection and intercultural exchange. Together with artists Nils and Nora, participants developed their own messages and visual ideas and transformed them into graffiti at Essen's Wall of Fame.
A particularly powerful outcome emerged when the participants' individual artworks came together around one shared theme: HOPE. Their colourful messages reflected different perspectives and experiences while expressing a collective vision of hope in times of crisis, uncertainty and social and environmental challenges. The creative process offered an opportunity to make personal experiences visible, strengthen connections and discover the power of working together across differences.
In November 2026, the project will continue with its second youth exchange in Funchal, Madeira, in cooperation with My Madeira Island. Shifting the focus from urban art to nature-based experiences, the group will explore how mindfulness, outdoor activities and a deeper connection with the natural environment can contribute to well-being and resilience. Through shared experiences, creative workshops and reflection, participants will have the opportunity to deepen their self-awareness, strengthen their relationships and discover new ways of caring for themselves, one another and the environment.
By bringing together two contrasting settings – the urban landscape of the Ruhr region and the natural environment of Madeira – the project encourages young people to explore resilience from different perspectives and to carry new ideas, skills and connections into their everyday lives and communities.
We stay curious for the next adventure!