We are delighted to share highlights from the International Joint Creative Workshop of the Erasmus+ KA2 project “Local Discovery – Developing Solutions for Geographically Excluded Areas and Social Activation of People in Local Communities”, held on 8–10 April 2026 in Limassol, Cyprus.
Hosted by DOREA International Research and Sustainable Development Centre, the three-day workshop welcomed project partners from Poland and Cyprus. Together, they explored, tested, and refined the educational tools developed so far — bringing the project’s vision to life through hands-on collaboration.
Three Days of Exchange, Testing, and Co-Creation
The workshop served as a vital milestone in the project, providing partners with the opportunity to:
- Strengthen partnership and integration between the Polish and Cypriot teams
- Present and evaluate educational materials developed within the project so far
- Exchange working methods and experiences between partner organisations
- Test workshop scenarios in real conditions, gathering feedback for further improvements
Putting Educational Materials into Practice
A central focus of the workshop was the practical testing of the multimedia training sessions (Output 1) and method scenarios (Output 2) developed by the partnership. Participants explored a rich variety of topics, including:
- Cultural and natural heritage as drivers of social activation for people aged 50+
- Building pro-ecological attitudes through nature trails and use of local resources
- Creating ethnographic maps to promote and activate marginalised areas
- Digital storytelling and memory-based narratives about local places
- Intergenerational quests and historical trails connecting seniors and youth
- Building informal learning groups around local history, culture, and traditions
Through interactive sessions, storytelling activities, and creative exercises, participants experienced first-hand how these methods can engage local communities and unlock the hidden potential of peripheral regions.
Achievements and What’s Next
The workshop successfully achieved its objectives — deepening partnership, validating the quality of educational materials, and establishing a clear plan for the months ahead. With valuable input now in hand, the partners will continue refining the project’s outputs and preparing for the next international workshop in Poland, where representatives of the project’s final target group — seniors aged 50+ — will take centre stage.
Project Partners
- Coordinator: Forum Regionalnych Organizacji Turystycznych (Poland)
- Partner: DOREA International Research and Sustainable Development Centre (Cyprus)
Stay tuned for more updates as the “Local Discovery” project continues its journey to empower local communities, celebrate hidden treasures, and create new opportunities for social activation across Europe!