Digital Pathways – Days 3 & 4: Creativity as a Pathway to Empowerment

By the third and fourth day of Digital Pathways, the energy in the room had shifted once again.

Trust had been built.Ideas had been exchanged.And now, it was time to experiment.

These two days were dedicated to exploring how creative facilitation and digital storytelling can become powerful tools for youth empowerment — especially for young people facing exclusion and limited opportunities.

(Digital) Storytelling: Giving Voice and Meaning

Participants first explored the importance of storytelling in Youth Work and boosted their creativity using Dixit cards as inspiration for the creation of their common stories. Then, we moved to digital storytelling, which we viewed not simply as a technical skill, but as a method for participation and self-expression.

Stories became bridges:

• between personal experience and collective reflection

• between local realities and European dialogue

• between silence and voice

Through creative prompts and collaborative design, youth workers experienced how digital narratives can support identity, confidence, and active citizenship.

The message was clear: when young people tell their stories, they reclaim agency.

Theatre and Role Playing: Experiencing Perspectives

Creativity continued through theatre-based methods and role playing.

These approaches allowed participants to step into different realities, explore social challenges, and experiment with alternative outcomes in a safe and structured way. Theatre became a space for empathy, critical thinking, and emotional awareness.

Role playing proved once again that learning is deeper when it is experienced, not explained.

Music, Movement and Beyond Words

Another powerful element of these days was the use of music and movement as facilitation tools.

Not all participation happens through discussion.Not all expression happens through words.

By activating the body and rhythm, participants reflected on how alternative forms of engagement can create inclusion for young people who may feel uncomfortable in traditional verbal settings.

Creative facilitation expands access.

Strategies for the Empowerment of NEETs

A central focus of the discussions was how these creative and digital methods can support the empowerment of NEETs (young people not in education, employment, or training).

Participants reflected on:

• how to build confidence through expression

• how to create safe and engaging spaces

• how to re-activate motivation and participation

• how to combine structure with creativity

It became evident that empowerment is not delivered. It is co-created.

A Shift in Mindset

By the end of Day 4, something deeper had emerged.

Participants were not just collecting tools.They were rethinking facilitation.

Creativity was no longer seen as an “extra” activity. It became recognised as a strategic pathway toward inclusion, participation, and transformation.

Digital Pathways continues to unfold — and with every step, the connection between innovation and human experience becomes stronger.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.