What is it about?

What if dreaming of a better world was the first step toward building it?

"Utopian Thinking" is an Erasmus+ training course bringing together 32 youth workers from 6 European countries to explore how utopian thinking can be a powerful tool in response to today's challenges: youth mental health, eco-anxiety, social disengagement, and fear-driven media narratives.

For 10 days, we’ll use non-formal education methods (role-playing, silent debates, design thinking, creative workshops...) to imagine desirable futures and learn how to share this positive energy in our work with young people.

Objectives:

✔ Understand how hopeful narratives support mental well-being
✔ Learn to apply utopian thinking in youth work
✔ Deconstruct fear-based media portrayals of the future
✔ Create alternative, collective, and realistic utopian stories
✔ Develop practical, creative, and inclusive tools for youth work

Who can apply?

✔ Youth workers, facilitators, or volunteers (18+)
✔ Living in France, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Germany, or Italy
✔ Interested in youth work, mental health, storytelling, or education
✔ Basic English is enough — just be curious and open
✔ Priority will be given to applicants with fewer opportunities

Venue & Practical Info

🏕 Accommodation in an wooden houses near a lake, close to Pau
🌿 Activities held outdoors, indoors, and in small groups
🍽 Vegetarian and local food (3 meals + 2 coffee breaks daily)
🛏 Shared bungalows for sleeping

Travel & Costs

✔ Travel, food, and accommodation are covered by Erasmus+
✔ Travel reimbursement up to a certain amount (see the infopack for more info)
🚨 Travel must be approved before booking

What to bring:

✔ Comfortable clothes, warm layers, reusable bottle, European health insurance card or any private insurance.
✔ Something from your culture for the intercultural evening
✔ Optional: notebook, inspiring books, creative or photography material

How to apply?

📩 Fill in the form hereafter
📥 Questions? Write us at: info@rakonto.org

✨ Let’s dream together.
🌀 Let’s imagine other futures.
🌱 Let’s turn hope into action.