Empower young people with practical skills in animation, video-making and media storytelling to express themselves and advocate for democratic values.
Project
AnimActors: Youth Actors of Democratic Change
Animation, Storytelling and Youth Participation
AnimActors is an Erasmus+ youth participation project that brings together young people and youth organisations from France, Hungary, Germany and Croatia. The project creates space for young people to use creativity, animation, video and storytelling as tools for participation, expression and democratic dialogue. At the heart of the project is the idea that young people should not only consume media, but also create it.
Overview
Quick
Facts
Programme
Erasmus+ KA154-YOU Youth Participation Activities
Project title
AnimActors: Youth Actors of Democratic Change
Duration
01 March 2026 – 28 February 2027
Coordinator
Le Lab Lisieux Normandie, France
Partner countries
France, Hungary, Germany, Croatia
Partners
Le Lab Lisieux Normandie, TEIS Foundation, eSquare e.V., JEDNA MLADOST
Main fields
Youth participation, animation, video-making, storytelling, media literacy, democracy, inclusion
eSquare e.V. role
Partner organisation
Status
Ongoing
About
About the
Project
AnimActors emerged from a shared need identified by partner organisations in France, Germany, Hungary and Croatia: young people need more creative and accessible ways to express themselves, participate in society and be recognised as drivers of democratic change.
Although young people are surrounded by media, they are rarely encouraged to move from passive consumption to active creation. AnimActors responds to this by helping young people create animations, videos and media campaigns on themes such as inclusion, migration, climate justice, gender equality and mental health.
The project combines non-formal education, creative media production and youth participation. Young people co-create storytelling cards, develop media outputs, lead local events and present their work to peers, educators, youth workers and decision-makers.
Context
Why this project
exists
Democratic participation can often feel distant or abstract for young people. At the same time, media is part of their everyday lives, but not always used as a tool for active citizenship and dialogue.
AnimActors connects these two worlds. It gives young people practical and creative ways to speak about the issues that matter to them and to be heard by their communities and decision-makers.
The project turns media creation into a youth participation tool: by creating animations, videos and stories, young people become visible, confident and active voices in democratic life.
Goals
Project
Objectives
Amplify youth voices by creating platforms where young people’s media outputs can reach decision-makers, educators and the wider public.
Ensure inclusion by engaging young people with fewer opportunities and using supportive, youth-friendly methodologies.
Promote European Youth Goals, especially Inclusive Societies, Information and Constructive Dialogue, and Space and Participation for All.
Strengthen cooperation among youth organisations in France, Hungary, Germany and Croatia through a transferable methodology combining creative media and youth participation.
Timeline
Project
Journey
- 01
Preparation and youth co-creator teams
The project begins with an online kick-off meeting, confirmation of roles and responsibilities, creation of a shared digital project management space and recruitment of Core Youth Co-Creator Teams in each partner country. These teams include motivated young people aged 16–30 who are interested in creativity, media and civic participation.
- 02
Local exploration and storytelling workshops
Each partner works with its local youth group through introductory meetings and creative workshops. Young people explore animation, video, storytelling, democratic values, inclusion and youth participation. They begin developing story ideas and early media concepts.
- 03
Call to Action — Youth Participation Event in Berlin
Berlin, Germany
The Berlin meeting brings together participants and partners for exchange, teamwork and co-creation. Young people connect, build a shared vision, test and refine storytelling cards, share initial ideas and prepare the next steps of the project together.
- 04
Youth Exchange — AnimActors in France
Lisieux, France
The international youth exchange in Lisieux, France, is the central creative hub of the project. Young people take part in workshops on animation, video-making, editing, storytelling and media campaigns. They work in international teams to transform their ideas into short animations and videos on democracy, inclusion and social issues.
- 05
Digital hub and media finalisation
After the youth exchange, partners and young people finalise the media outputs through editing, subtitling and preparation for online publication. The animations, videos and storytelling cards are prepared for the project’s digital hub, including YouTube, social media and partner websites.
- 06
Final Conference — AnimActors Voices
France
The final conference in France provides a platform for young people to present their animations and videos to educators, youth workers, decision-makers and peers. Dialogue sessions create space to discuss youth participation, inclusion and the role of creative media in democratic life.
- 07
Local youth events
Local youth events in Croatia, Hungary and Germany give young people the opportunity to present their media outputs, lead discussions, facilitate mini-workshops and engage local peers and stakeholders.
- 08
Sustainability and dissemination
The project concludes with evaluation, recognition of learning outcomes, publication of outputs and a sustainability plan. Storytelling cards, animations, videos and methods remain available as open resources for youth workers, schools and youth organisations.
Gallery
Project
Moments
Outputs
What we
create
Storytelling cards that help young people transform social issues into stories, animations and media concepts
Short animations communicating civic messages in an accessible and creative way
Youth-made videos exploring inclusion, democracy, migration, gender equality, climate justice and mental health
A digital hub sharing outputs through YouTube, social media, partner websites and Erasmus+ channels
Local showcases with youth-led screenings, discussions and workshops
A transferable methodology combining storytelling, animation, video-making, media literacy and democratic dialogue
Audience
Target
Groups
Core Youth Co-Creator Teams — young people aged 16–30 from France, Germany, Hungary and Croatia
Wider youth audience aged 15–25 taking part in local events, screenings, discussions and workshops
Youth workers, teachers, trainers and facilitators mentoring young people and integrating creative media methods
Decision-makers and stakeholders — municipal representatives, youth councils, schools, NGOs, media partners and community actors
Results
Expected
Results
- Core Youth Co-Creator Teams in partner countries
- Storytelling cards for creative media and youth participation
- Animations created by young people
- Short videos and media campaigns
- Youth-led local events in Croatia, Hungary and Germany
- Final conference AnimActors Voices in France
- Digital hub with project media outputs
- Open-access resources for youth workers and educators
- Youthpass certificates recognising participants’ learning outcomes
- Dissemination materials and social media campaigns
Resources
Downloads and
Resources
Project materials, storytelling cards, animations, videos, infopacks and digital resources will be added here during the implementation of AnimActors.
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