Be (P)Art. Grow with Arts

European cooperation project that aspires to bring young people and artists and their works closer together. The aim of the project is to support the European literary sector and its cultural agents (emerging writers, festivals, publishers, etc.) to reach young audiences by providing them with new methodology based on a participatory approach, international and European networking, new career opportunities, exchange and knowledge. The project includes a capacity building programame for Literary professionals, organisations and student teachers in college, a mobility programme for emerging writers (including writers from rural areas and refugees writers), a series of literary residences in rural areas, a cross sector event merging Literature and running and a European award of best practices in audience development, literature and youth. The Belgian partner, UC Leuven-Limburg, organised an online conference “Education for Global Citizens, the role of Arts and Dialogue in the Wellbeing of Children” in 2021. This event had a special focus on artistic storytelling techniques for teachers and socio-educational workers. It was based on the belief that arts are crucial to understanding the complexity of new societies, boost critical thinking, develop creative problem-solving skills and achieve academic success. Arts can also have a big impact on the well-being of young people and help to build resilience and a sense of identity and belonging. To facilitate creative development, young people should have opportunities to work alongside artists and other creative adults.