✨ Experience the launch of the EU HAVE A DREAM project, held in Cyprus on October 23, 2024! This press conference marked the beginning of a unique, EU-funded journey to enhance democratic participation among young citizens across Europe. Key stakeholders, including youth, civil society organizations, and project partners, gathered to share insights into this two-year initiative focused on empowering voices through participatory theatre debates and international discussions.

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🎭 Lights, Drama, Action… Democracy!
From January 16–18, 2025, the city of Turin, Italy became the stage for an exciting fusion of performance and participation: the Pilot Theatre Debate! Hosted by Stranaidea at the buzzing youth hub Antro, and joined by 63 participants from 5 countries, this three-day gathering turned serious civic topics into a powerful, theatrical experience.

🌍 Participants from Italy, Germany, Cyprus, Greece, and Belgium explored how theatre can ignite youth engagement, spark debate on European issues, and challenge democratic fatigue. From interactive workshops and coffee-fueled brainstorms to a live theatre debate at Via Baltea, the vibe was all about co-creation, citizenship, and creative chaos.

🗳️ A fictional EU election candidate was brought to life, and discussions on freedom of expression and sustainability got center stage. With live audience interaction, Q&As, and even simultaneous translation, everyone got involved—actors and citizens alike!

By the end, participants had not only learned new methods, but had laughed, debated, and dreamed together, making democracy just a little more… dramatic. 🎬🇪🇺

Citizens’ Workshops in Turin

Location: Turin, Italy

Organised by: Stranaidea SCS Impresa Sociale

Work Package: WP3

About the Event

Between January and May 2025, the vibrant city of Turin hosted a series of Citizens’ Workshops under the EU HAVE A DREAM project, aimed at amplifying youth voices and fostering inclusive democratic engagement through creative methods. The activities were carried out at “Antro,” a youth cultural centre in the heart of Turin, and organised by Stranaidea in close collaboration with Visionary.

Key Highlights:

• Hands-on artistic methods like recycled art and co-design sessions with a graphic designer,
• Gamified tools like the Climate Fresk, enabling active learning through visual storytelling,
• Interactive discussions with:
  • Fridays for Future,
  • A circular economy enterprise,
  • An ethical food company,
  • A community foundation working on solidarity energy,
  • The City Councillor for Ecological Transition,

• Inclusive participation with special focus on engaging LGBTQI+ youth, NEETs, and underrepresented communities.

Participation:

• 33 participants from 4 countries (Italy, Spain, Ireland, France),
• Gender balance: 18 female, 14 male, 1 non-binary,
• Core group formation: A consistent team helped shape the process and the future debate.

Conclusions:

The workshops not only fostered critical dialogue but also gave youth the space to share personal stories, reflect on their European identity, and envision future action. The insights and proposals gathered will directly inform the content of the Theatre Debate performances in Italy, ensuring bottom-up representation of youth concerns within the European discourse.

Dates:

• 24 April 2025 – Stakeholder Workshop
• 7–8 May 2025 – Citizens’ Workshops
• 9 May 2025 – Europe Day

Public Event (Hybrid) Location: Nicosia, Cyprus

Organised by: OTI Group

Work Package: WP4

About the Events

Between April and May 2025, Cyprus hosted a dynamic series of citizens’ workshops and a major hybrid public event as part of the EU HAVE A DREAM project. These activities contributed directly to the co-creation and implementation of the Theatre Debate format on climate and environment, amplifying the voices of young citizens and underrepresented groups.

🗓 April 24 – Stakeholder Engagement Workshop

Local civic organisations, youth networks, and decision-makers came together to: Identify urgent European issues relevant to the Cypriot context, Set the foundation for the upcoming citizens’ workshops, Highlight opportunities for democratic participation and green engagement.

🧠 May 7–8 – Citizens’ Workshops in Nicosia

Young participants worked in interactive sessions to: Explore themes such as the Green Deal, climate justice, and inclusion, Develop proposals and discussion points for the upcoming theatre debate, Connect with local NGOs, educators, and policymakers. Workshops were inclusive and designed to empower youth from economically, socially, and geographically marginalised backgrounds.

🌍 May 9 – Europe Day Event:

Theatre Debate Preview A special hybrid public event was held on Europe Day with: Keynote speeches from political and civic leaders, A participatory preview of the theatre debate format, Artistic installations and youth proposals presented to a broad audience both online and onsite.

Over 39 participants attended physically, with more joining virtually, celebrating European values of democracy, dialogue, and sustainability.

Event Location: Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Organised by: Consol Theater / Forum Kunstvereint e.V.

Work Package: WP5

About the Events

From February to May 2025, the city of Gelsenkirchen hosted an inspiring and interdisciplinary Citizens’ Workshop series as part of the EU HAVE A DREAM project. Organised by Consol Theater, the workshops brought together young adults aged 18–26 to explore themes of political participation, protest, and democratic expression through performance, dialogue, and creative campaigning.

🎭 Citizens’ Workshops in Gelsenkirchen – Creative Resistance & Civic Voices

The workshops ran across 12 sessions and focused on developing theatrical, musical, and political expressions around the key themes of “Future of Work” and “Climate Crisis / Water Management.” Activities included:

✅ Exploring different protest styles and the role of civic opposition in democracy,
✅ Investigating stakeholders and conducting interviews with employers, unions, farmers, and environmental actors,
✅ Co-creating the fictional character Vera Deemah and formulating opposing viewpoints to challenge her platform,
✅ Preparing materials for an interactive campaign booth and a public theatre debate,
✅ Integrating music, choreography, and scenography into protest scenes and narrative performances.

Key Highlights:

• “Protest Traffic Light” and “Protest Bingo” tools to experiment with levels of resistance,
• Two parallel youth groups worked on moderation training, stakeholder interviews, protest planning, and public communication,
• Interviews with diverse actors:
  • Lisa Fullert (German Union Federation) on labour futures,
  • Julia Nepicks (Gelsenwasser) on climate and water,
  • Christian Scherpel (Malzers) as an employer voice,
  • A farmer from Piemont, Italy to introduce cross-European perspectives,
• Development of a musical protest anthem titled “ASK” and a sculptural installation on water consumption for the performance.

Participation:

• 36 participants from 4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, Romania),
• Gender balance: 20 female, 16 male,
• Broad engagement from local and international youth communities in shaping the workshop's democratic message.

Conclusions:

The Gelsenkirchen workshops were marked by a strong sense of co-creation, youth ownership, and creative resistance. Participants engaged deeply with the dual themes of ecological sustainability and labour futures, crafting a multilayered theatre piece blending critique, hope, and satire. The results will feed directly into Germany’s upcoming Theatre Debate (WP9), where Vera will face the full force of young people’s demands for a better Europe.

Dates:

29–30 May 2025 – Citizens’ Workshops (Preparation & Follow-Up Debate)

Location: Thessaloniki, Greece

Organised by: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Work Package: WP6

About the Event

In late May 2025, the city of Thessaloniki hosted an inspiring two-day series of Citizens’ Workshops as part of the EU HAVE A DREAM project. Held at the artistic venue Lissasmeni Gata in the city centre, this event played a pivotal role in preparing for upcoming Theatre Debates while capturing the voices and visions of young people and underrepresented communities.

🎭 May 29–30 – Citizens’ Workshops in Thessaloniki

Participants—including youth, civic organisations, local authorities, and citizens—gathered to:

✅ Exchange perspectives on European issues like the Green Deal, climate crisis, consumerism, and Europe’s role in their lives,

✅ Engage through theatrical games and expert talks,

✅ Co-create “Vera,” a fictional persona embodying the challenges and aspirations of young Europeans,

✅ Develop content to fuel future Theatre Debates (WP10 & WP14), ensuring authentic representation of youth voices.

Key Highlights:

• Theatrical warm-ups to build trust and encourage free expression,
• Interactive sessions addressing identity, intersectionality, and Europe’s impact on citizens’ lives,
• “Creating Vera” workshops using creative props and storytelling to design a relatable character,
• Strong emphasis on inclusivity, welcoming participants from vulnerable and marginalised groups (incl. LGBTQI+, migrants, people with disabilities).

Participation:

• 29 participants from 4 countries (Albania, Cyprus, Bulgaria,Greece),
• Gender balance: 19 female, 10 male,
• Voices from diverse backgrounds feeding into the European democratic dialogue.

Conclusions:

Young participants voiced concerns about employment, gender expectations, and feeling disconnected from European structures. This valuable feedback will shape the upcoming Theatre Debates, aiming to foster deeper engagement and democratic participation across Europe.