“Cultural Storytelling Canvas: Crafting Narratives for Inclusion, Democracy, and the Environment” (#culturalstorytellers) was a youth exchange held in Schaijk, the Netherlands, from March 4 to 13, 2025. The project brought together 41 young people from five European countries — Greece, Slovakia, Spain, Türkiye, and the Netherlands — to explore the rich tapestry of European cultures and tackle pressing global topics such as climate change, inclusion, and digital transformation through collaborative storytelling.

Beyond the experience of the participants, a key highlight of the final day was a series of short interviews conducted with the group leaders from each national delegation. These five youth leaders, each responsible for guiding and supporting their respective teams throughout the exchange, shared valuable reflections on the process from an organizational and mentoring perspective.

Throughout the project, the leaders played a crucial role in ensuring the participants felt safe, supported, and engaged — offering both practical guidance and emotional encouragement. Their presence was instrumental in creating a respectful and open atmosphere where meaningful learning could take place.

In their interviews, the leaders discussed the transformative impact of the project on the young participants, the importance of international collaboration, and the challenges and rewards of facilitating intercultural learning. They highlighted how storytelling — rooted in myth, tradition, and creative expression — became a powerful tool for fostering understanding, empathy, and action among young Europeans.

The leaders also emphasized the vital role of youth exchanges in building bridges between communities and empowering young people to become active citizens in a rapidly changing world. They touched on the significance of providing space for young voices to lead on issues like environmental responsibility and digital literacy, and the ways in which the project inspired both personal and professional growth.

You can hear directly from the leaders in the video below, where they share behind-the-scenes insights, proud moments, and lessons learned during the #culturalstorytellers journey.