The Creative Self- Art Practices for Youth Empowerment

This training is not about becoming an artist. It is about discovering how creativity can transform the way we work with young people.

What happens when art becomes a way of exploring who we are? What happens when creativity is not only about producing something beautiful, but about understanding ourselves and connecting with others?

In a small village surrounded by fjords, mountains and silence, we invite youth workers to step into a creative journey where art becomes a tool for reflection, self‑discovery and empowerment.

The Creative Self – Art Practices for Youth Empowerment is a training course designed for youth workers who want to explore how artistic practices can open new spaces for dialogue, expression and personal growth among young people.

During 8 immersive days in Balestrand, Norway, participants will experience different artistic processes that invite them to slow down, observe, create and reflect. Through creative exploration and concentration techniques, the training encourages participants to reconnect with their own creative potential while discovering practical tools they can use in their youth work.

Rather than focusing only on theory, this training offers a learning experience built around doing, experimenting and reflecting together. Participants will explore how art can support young people in expressing emotions, discovering their identity and building confidence.

By the end of the training, participants will not only gain new artistic skills, but also a deeper understanding of how creativity can be used as a powerful tool for youth empowerment and self‑realization.

Objectives of the Training Course

• To explore the relationship between creativity, self‑awareness and personal development.
• To strengthen youth workers’ creative capacities through artistic practices.
• To experience different art forms as tools for reflection and expression.
• To introduce concentration and self‑realization techniques that support creative thinking.
• To develop practical artistic activities that can be implemented with young people.
• To encourage youth workers to use art as a method for supporting identity exploration and empowerment.

Methodology

The training course is based on experiential learning principles, allowing participants to learn through direct experience, reflection and interaction.

Participants will explore creativity through a variety of artistic practices and reflective exercises including:

• Reflective journaling
• Collage and visual storytelling
• Ebru (traditional marbling art)
• Ceramic work and tactile artistic expression
• Creative observation exercises
• Concentration and self‑awareness practices
• Individual and group artistic exploration

Throughout the training participants will document their experiences in personal journals and engage in reflection circles and group discussions.

The Training Team

• Tuba Ardic is the Director of Creative Connection, a trainer at the National Agency of Norway and a passionate youth worker, mentor and facilitator. She has been working with youth and non‑formal education since 2010, focusing on creativity, personal development and intercultural learning.
• Berat Ezel is the director of BDK Youth, Culture and Art Centre in Bodrum. He works as a youth worker and trainer focusing on empowerment, participation and artistic expression among young people. His work combines art, nature and self‑awareness practices within youth work.

Who Are We Looking For?

• Members or collaborators of youth organizations working regularly with young people (organization should have a valid OID number).
• Youth workers, educators, social workers and community leaders.
• Trainers interested in integrating artistic methods into youth work.
• Participants open to experiential learning and creative exploration.
• People interested in using art as a tool for self‑expression and youth empowerment.
• Participants with good command of English.
• People older than 18 years with legal residence in the country they are currently living in.

Here's the link to view and/or download the call for participants!