Unboxed Democratic Youth

Main aim: to foster democratic participation among young people by utilizing the power of filmmaking and storytelling. The project will engage young participants in the creation of a movie that raises awareness about democratic values, encourages active citizenship, and highlights the importance of youth voices in shaping democratic societies.

Objectives:

Increase awareness and understanding of democratic principles and practices among young people.
Empower young participants to actively engage in democratic processes and decision-making.
Enhance the media literacy skills, critical thinking, and digital storytelling abilities of the participants.
Foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration among participants from different countries.
Create a thought-provoking and impactful movie that raises awareness about democratic participation and inspires action.

Activities:

Kick-off Meeting in Lithuania | March 2024

A kick-off meeting took place in Lithuania, on March 19, 2024, bringing together 6 participants from project partners to introduce the project, define objectives, and plan upcoming activities. During the meeting, partners discussed responsibilities, timelines, and the structure of training sessions and outputs, ensuring a smooth project implementation.

Online Training and Project Launch | April 2024

An online training and project launch were organised on April 2–3, 2024, bringing together 27 participants from different countries. The sessions focused on visual storytelling, filmmaking basics, and the role of emotions in storytelling, helping participants develop initial ideas and prepare for the production phase.

Research and Story Development | 2024

Research and story development activities were carried out in each partner country, where participants explored democratic values, youth engagement, and social issues. Based on this research, initial story concepts and scripts were developed, forming the foundation for the films produced during the project.

Film Production in the Czech Republic | November 2024

Film production activities took place in Písek, Czech Republic from October 29 to November 2, 2024, bringing together 24 participants from partner countries. Participants worked in international teams to transform their ideas into short films. Through practical workshops, they developed skills in camera work, directing, and on-set collaboration.

Post-production and Editing in France | November 2024

Post-production activities took place in Strasbourg, France from November 4 to 8, 2024, bringing together 24 participants from partner countries. During the activity, participants developed their skills in film editing, sound mixing, and colour grading, working in international teams under the guidance of professionals.

Local Activities and Film Screenings | March- May 2025

Local activities were implemented in partner countries, including the Czech Republic, France, and Lithuania. Participants took part in film screenings, discussions, and workshops focused on democratic participation, storytelling, and media literacy, promoting the project results at the local level. In Lithuania, a local activity was held on May 6, 2025, bringing together 18 participants. In France, a session took place on April 11, 2025, with 9 participants. In the Czech Republic, three local sessions were organised on March 14, March 17, and May 3, 2025, engaging a total of 58 participants.

Online Distribution and Outreach | 2025

The final films were shared through online platforms, including YouTube, partners’ Facebook and Instagram pages, and dissemination channels to reach a wider audience. These activities aimed to raise awareness about democratic participation and youth engagement, while promoting the project’s outcomes across different communities.

Final Meeting and Conference in Lithuania | May 2025

The final meeting and conference took place in Lithuania on May 19, 2025, bringing together 101 participants to present the project results, including the produced films. The event included screenings, discussions, and evaluation of the project’s impact, as well as planning future initiatives.

Expected Results:

Increased knowledge and understanding of democratic principles among young participants.
Enhanced skills in filmmaking, storytelling, and digital media production.
Heightened awareness and engagement in democratic participation among young people.
Creation of a powerful and thought-provoking movie that raises awareness about democratic values and youth empowerment.
Strengthened cross-cultural understanding and collaboration among participants.

Outputs (downloadable):

Video 'A matter of time'

Video 'Making of or off'

Video 'The red nose, version 1'

Video 'The red nose, version 2'

This project is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program, supporting education, training, youth, and sports initiatives across Europe.