SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus

Who are we

The NGO Kremenchuk Information and Educational Centre “Euroclub” has been operating since 2008. Its main areas include non-formal education in democracy and human rights, promoting tolerance and inclusion, developing facilitation and non-violent communication skills, building trust in the community, and supporting cultural and intellectual development of youth. The organisation also works on international cooperation, youth mobility opportunities, and information exchange between institutions.

The youth centre “Space of Ideas” is a creative space for young people and active citizens. The main target group is youth aged 14–30, but many visitors are also younger or older people interested in learning and communication, says Olesia. The centre hosts regular activities, implements projects, and supports people in developing their own ideas. Our slogan is: “Our space — your ideas” she adds.

Spring Art Labs

Spring Art Labs are part of a larger project “Civic Art”. The idea emerged after Olesia participated in a training course in Spain on civic art education for youth workers.

The project included continuation, multiplication, and funding, so while still in Spain the idea was born to combine our creative workshops, which we often hold in the space, with the development of civic competences among young people, says Olesia.

She later developed the structure and topics, creating a series of 10 sessions from March to May.

I chose the format of laboratories because, firstly, I felt in practice how it works during the training in Spain, and secondly, because such learning is really research. It is not a lecture where a lecturer transmits information, it is not just a discussion where everyone explains their opinion, it is not a workshop, where participants repeat actions after the trainer. It is research into how art influences, what it says, what each person sees in it, how it can be used, how through it one can influence and unite people.

The project aims to develop civic competences, creativity, and confidence, helping young people realise they can influence their environment.

Now, in the conditions of war, young people do not have enough opportunities for new acquaintances and communication, reasons for meetings and interaction, since due to the lack of sufficient shelters most schools operate limited time offline and often online. And in our laboratories there is space for meetings, communication, improving communication skills, exchange of thoughts, experiences, and ideas, and this will contribute to the development and mental well-being of young people, she adds.

Cohesion through creativity

All labs are united by the theme of cohesion — a sense of community and safe space for communication.

Mostly, the laboratories are attended by people who are open to new things, who want to try something non-standard, communicate and find new acquaintances. There are those who are more deeply interested in the topic, interested in music or visual arts. And since laboratories are an example of classical non-formal education, there is space and opportunity to share one’s own experience, learn from each other, so it is comfortable for everyone — both young artists and people without experience.

Each session combines a topic and a creative practice. Participants have explored identity and diversity, participation and influence, freedom and responsibility, and storytelling through art. Upcoming topics include civic activity, human rights, and cohesion. Creative practices include theatre, collage, drawing, symbolic objects, and stop-motion animation, with further activities planned.

Participants’ impressions

Dariia Mykhailyk is an 11th grade student, she has long been attending Space of Ideas and participates in almost all projects and workshops.

I love such projects, so participation in them brings me only pleasure! I think they suit everyone — there are both discussions and a creative part. I highly recommend joining, because having the life of an 11th grader, you need to clear your head and just enjoy what you really like, shares Dariia.

Another participant is Diana Nahaievska. The girl is also in 11th grade, and also volunteers and conducts workshops in Space of Ideas and participates in various initiatives of the youth centre.

I attended all the workshops, and each session is a discovery of something new, filled with rich and vivid impressions. In addition to exploring art, this is accompanied by team-building and communication games. Each session is connected with an important topic, and we discovered it through art. For all the sessions I attended, I now have my own artistic collection… This project gave me a deep understanding of art… I have long been looking for an opportunity to try myself in this field… and this is exactly it! says Diana.

Viktoriia Komorna works at a school as a teacher’s assistant and studies pedagogy. She says she joined the Spring Art Lab project because she likes such educational and creative initiatives.

Viktoriia attended the laboratories “Introduction”, “Identity, diversity, respect” and “Participation and influence”. She says that these meetings leave not only pleasant memories, but also new thoughts, ideas, and inner resources that she wants to carry into her life and work.

No one judges you here — on the contrary, they support, and that is why you want to come back again and again… This is a place where you can recover emotionally, get inspired, feel support and just be yourself… you feel free, says Viktoriia.

Impact and change

I will consider it a success if someone believes in themselves, someone finds a friend, someone joins an initiative, someone dares and goes on a youth exchange in the future… I think that the knowledge and experience gained… will give young people an impetus to be independent, conscious, active… to defend their rights, says Olesia.

Although the idea existed before, Erasmus+ Youth provided the support, funding, knowledge, and tools to implement it in practice.