The Erasmus+ initiative Self-Love Through Objective is a shining example of how education and creativity can empower young people to embrace self-acceptance, develop digital skills, and break societal taboos like body shaming. This project, completed between February 2022 and December 2023, brought together 76 participants from five European countries—Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Romania, and Portugal—to foster emotional well-being and digital competence through innovative learning methods.
The Mission and Goals
The project’s primary aim was to address crucial topics like self-esteem, body positivity, and the impact of social media on mental health. By organizing two international youth exchanges in the Czech Republic, Self-Love Through Objective used non-formal education methods to help participants:
- Recognize Social Media’s Influence: Participants explored how social media affects self-image, identifying harmful narratives and breaking the stigma surrounding body positivity.
- Foster Self-Expression Through Photography: Hands-on workshops introduced photography as a tool for self-expression, encouraging participants to appreciate their individuality and resist societal pressures.
- Promote Inclusion and Empathy: By working in diverse groups, participants learned to value diversity and develop empathy for others.
- Create Impactful Campaigns: Participants applied their newfound skills to create photo and video campaigns promoting self-love and acceptance.
Implementation and Activities
The project included two youth exchanges in the Vysočina region of the Czech Republic:
- First Exchange (June 24–July 1, 2022): Focused on participants aged 13-15.
- Second Exchange (August 5–12, 2022): Catered to participants aged 15-17.
A total of 78 individuals participated, including 51 young people and 27 leaders, facilitators, and support staff. Impressively, 76% of participants came from marginalized backgrounds, ensuring the project’s reach extended to those who might benefit the most.
Workshops covered topics like photography, social media awareness, and inclusion. Participants collaborated to create campaigns on self-love, using digital tools to design posters, articles, videos, and stickers. These creative outputs were shared widely to spread the project’s message beyond its immediate audience.
Key Outcomes
The impact of Self-Love Through Objective was profound:
- Increased Self-Acceptance: Over 96% of participants reported a better understanding of their self-worth, recognizing that appearance does not define value.
- Awareness of Media Manipulation: 92% of participants became more mindful of how photo manipulation and social media can distort perceptions of reality.
- Empowerment Through Creativity: 92% felt encouraged to express themselves through photography, gaining confidence in their unique abilities.
- Enhanced Motivation and Citizenship: 90% were inspired to continue spreading the message of self-love in their communities.
- Improved English Skills: All participants noted improvements in their English language abilities, enhancing their communication and career prospects.
Why It Matters
Projects like Self-Love Through Objective highlight the power of education, creativity, and community to create lasting change. By tackling critical issues like mental health and societal pressures, the project equipped participants with tools to thrive in an increasingly digital world while promoting values of kindness and inclusion.
This initiative not only met but exceeded its objectives, leaving a meaningful legacy for its participants and the broader community. Learn more about this transformative project at brnoforyou.cz.
