Reclaim the Real

“Reclaim the Real” is an international youth exchange designed to help young people break free from digital isolation, cultivate their identity, and build deep human connections through art, nature, mindfulness, and adventure. Over 10 immersive days, 60 young participants aged 16 to 25 from six European countries will gather in a remote forest setting near the Slovenian-Croatian border. The experience takes place in a no-network environment, with simple cabin accommodations, encouraging a complete digital detox.

The project focuses on combating loneliness and social isolation among youth by fostering authentic relationships. Participants will engage daily in diverse artistic workshops—such as theater, painting, singing, writing, dance, and photography—each paired with emotional themes like vulnerability, anger, courage, or self-expression. Through these creative practices, young people develop emotional intelligence, active listening, self-confidence, and social risk-taking skills.

Alongside artistic expression, the program incorporates outdoor activities like hiking, bivouacking, campfires, and collective rituals inspired by local traditions. Daily talking circles based on the “council” method create safe spaces for open dialogue and sharing. The pedagogical approach is experiential, rooted in “learning by doing,” collective intelligence, empathetic listening, and reflective cycles.

The project welcomes youth from diverse backgrounds, especially those facing social or economic challenges, with no English proficiency required—art and nature become universal languages. A minimum of 40% of participants are from disadvantaged contexts, ensuring social inclusion.

By the end of the exchange, participants will have deepened their self-awareness, emotional skills, and capacity to form meaningful, lasting connections. They will also create a shared art exhibition and engage in a final ceremony celebrating their creations and personal growth.

Follow-up activities include co-creating a digital e-book compiling testimonials, artworks, and reproducible activities; post-project meetups in each country; and a participant-managed WhatsApp group named “Reconnected” to maintain offline human connections beyond the project.

Ultimately, “Reclaim the Real” aims to empower young Europeans to reconnect authentically with themselves, others, and the natural world—redefining their identities free from social and digital constraints, and fostering inclusive, creative communities.