Bullying, both in physical and digital spaces, remains a significant challenge in educational environments. To address this issue, the Erasmus+ project “Putting Music and Drama in Play against Peer and Cyber-Bullying” (2021-1-IT02-KA210-SCH-000031501) was launched, focusing on combating bullying through creative and social engagement. The project, which ran from November 2021 to October 2023, was a collaboration between four countries: Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. With an EU grant of €60,000, the initiative aimed to raise awareness, provide training, and offer students safer learning environments.
Main Objectives: A Creative Approach to Bullying
The project’s core objective was to educate students, teachers, and families about bullying—what causes it, how to prevent it, and the steps to create safer school environments. One of the project’s unique aspects was its focus on the role of music and drama in fostering social engagement among students. By encouraging participation in these activities, the project sought to reduce bullying behaviors and promote more positive peer interactions. Additionally, it aimed to enhance the skills of school administrators and teachers in tackling bullying, both in person and online.
Key objectives included:
- Raising awareness about the reasons behind bullying and methods for addressing it.
- Promoting safer educational atmospheres for students.
- Demonstrating how music and social activities can deter bullying.
- Strengthening the teaching skills of educators to prevent bullying and cyber-bullying.
Activities: Engaging Communities and Raising Awareness
A variety of activities were conducted to meet these goals. Drama and music clubs were established in schools to encourage student involvement in creative, non-competitive group activities, which help foster social skills. This allowed students to express themselves in positive ways and build stronger, healthier relationships with their peers.
In addition to artistic endeavors, the project created a strong online presence through a dedicated website, eTwinning page, and other social media platforms to reach a larger audience. Local media outlets were also engaged to further disseminate the project’s aims and results.
Workshops, seminars, and training sessions were held for teachers and school administrators, providing them with effective strategies for dealing with bullying. Information sessions for families ensured that parents were equally informed and able to support their children. Furthermore, the creation of materials like eMagazines, posters, and leaflets helped make the project’s results long-lasting and available to more schools.
Impact: Lasting Change for Safer Schools
The project’s impact has been substantial. Students, teachers, and families involved in the program gained a deeper understanding of the causes and effects of bullying, as well as how to handle these situations. The students who participated in the drama and music activities became more social and engaged, improving their communication and teamwork skills.
An important outcome of the project was improved safety in schools. By learning about digital safety, students also gained skills on how to use the internet and social media responsibly. Teachers and administrators are now better equipped to prevent both peer and cyber-bullying, ensuring a safer environment for students across the participating schools.
Partners: A Collaborative Effort Across Borders
The project was a collaboration between several educational institutions:
- 1o Epagelmatiko Lykeio Geras in Greece
- Darica Neset Yalcin Anadolu Lisesi in Turkey
- Kroz Burak 81 in Croatia
These schools contributed their expertise and shared practices to create a well-rounded, comprehensive program to tackle bullying.
For more information on this project, visit Erasmus Plus KA210.
By integrating music, drama, and education, this Erasmus+ project has proven that creative approaches can be highly effective in combating bullying, fostering safer and more supportive environments for students.
