ROLES: Art-Driven Capacity Building for Mental Health De-stigmatisation
ROLES is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building project in the field of Youth, co-funded by the EU, bringing together partners from EU countries and the Western Balkans region, with United Societies of Balkans (USB) as the project coordinator.
The project aims to strengthen the capacity, resilience, and professional development of youth workers, trainers, facilitators, and non-formal education professionals in addressing mental health challenges. By using arts-based and theatre-based methodologies, the project equips youth professionals with innovative tools to create inclusive, safe, and emotionally supportive environments for young people.
Building on identified gaps in mental health awareness and training, the project responds to the urgent need for practical, creative approaches that can effectively challenge stigma and discrimination in youth work settings. According to recent European data, mental health stigma remains widespread, while youth workers often lack the necessary tools to address it in their daily practice.
ROLES combines international mobility activities, local participatory workshops, artistic interventions, and awareness-raising initiatives to engage both youth professionals and young people. Through experiential learning and non-formal education, participants explore mental health through creative expression, fostering dialogue, empathy, and social inclusion.
The project promotes:
- Capacity building of youth workers through arts and theatre methodologies
- Reduction of stigma and discrimination around mental health
- Creation of safe spaces for dialogue and emotional expression
- Active engagement of young people, including those with fewer opportunities
In the long term, ROLES contributes to the development of more inclusive, resilient, and emotionally aware communities, while expanding a network of youth professionals capable of addressing mental health stigma through innovative and creative practices.
Consortium:
United Societies of Balkans (Greece) – Coordinator
Teatro Metaphora (Portugal)
Hodina H (Czech Republic)
Sempre a Frente (Poland)
LDA Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
ACT Center (Albania)
YIHR Montenegro (Montenegro)