Erasmus+ Mobility for youth workers
Echoes and Bodies
Deep listening through non-violent
communication and embodiment
Echoes and Bodies is an 8-day training course for 24 youth workers from 6 countries (Latvia, Spain, Poland, Greece, Netherlands & Slovenia), which will take place in the countryside of Latvia from 24th till 31st of July 2025.The training incorporates an integrative pedagogy that combines embodiment and somatics, dance and movement, nature-based activities, and Nonviolent Communication, with a focus on promoting positive mental health outcomes for young people and fostering community development and mutual support.
About the project
The idea of the project came from our curiosity to explore different practical applications of NVC methodologies and put them in the embodied experiential environment.The training integrates, in an integrative pedagogy the approach of embodiment & somatics, dance & movement, nature based activities and Non Violent Communication, focusing on creating positive impacts in the mental health of the youngsters, as well as fostering community development & mutual support.Participants will develop their learning process based on: body & nature based learning, playfulness, creativity, reflection work, and integration in collective & individual level.Therefore they will get tools to work for the best balance on the physical, emotional, cognitive and social level in their professional and personal life.
The methods and tools
What you will experience
Group Dynamics and NVC
Hiking
Somatic Awareness activities
Open jams for dance
Nature based activities
Creative Procesess
Practical approach of all the listed,
and ways to apply these topics in your work.
In addition to hands-on experiences, you will receive a theoretical foundation for each of these methods, gaining insights into their benefits and applications in youth work and personal practice. The program will equip you with practical tools that you can integrate into your professional work, fostering meaningful engagement and well-being for yourself and those you support.
Elements of the project
Before the Training preparation
Once the selection process is complete, all accepted participants will be required to fill out a pre-training questionnaire. This step is essential in helping us tailor the training experience to better suit both individual and group needs.During the Training
You will take part in an intensive 8-day training, exploring methods such as Contact Improvisation, Authentic Movement, Dance Movement Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Yoga, Non-Violent Communication, Group Dynamics, and Playfight.
The training is highly experiential, involving movement, reflection, and group work. You will not be a passive participant—you’ll be actively engaged in co-creating the learning space.
The program will be adapted to group needs, and you will be invited to bring your full presence, openness, and willingness to explore.
If needed, personal support or individual tutoring will be available during or after the training.Dissemination and Follow-Up Activities
As a selected participant, you will also be involved in spreading the results of the project and sharing the methods you have learned:✅ Training Booklet Contribution: During the training, you will contribute to a collective Booklet documenting the activities and experiences. This will be edited after the training and shared with you, your organization, and wider networks.✅ Sharing in Your Community: After the project, we expect you to organize a local workshop, presentation, or informal session to share what you’ve learned with your peers, organization, or youth group.✅ Content Creation: You are also expected to contribute by creating short texts, video reflections, blog posts, or testimonials that will be shared through project websites or social media platforms.✅ Ongoing Connection: You’ll be invited to join an online community (e.g., WhatsApp or Facebook group) to stay in touch with other participants and trainers, share how you’re applying the methods, and support one another in the longer term.These dissemination activities help ensure the learning spreads beyond this one training and supports broader change in youth work practices. These will also be prerequisites for the travel reimbursement.
The team
Myrto Zarokosta
Myrto is a dance movement therapist, dance artist, and social anthropologist.
Her work finds it´s base in a trans-disciplinary approach, using movement arts, embodiment, creative process and group dynamics, supporting people to discover and express themselves.
During the last 10 years, she has been working with many different populations in psychosocial support and non formal education, facilitating sessions and trainings. As a dance artist, she has created and participated in performances and laboratories between Greece and Spain. Currently, she is studying the body-oriented trauma therapy method of Somatic Experiencing.
Kristaps Ditke
Since 2007 Kristaps has started his embodiment awareness journey through learning and teaching Yoga and breathing techniques under one of the world’s largest volunteer-based non profit The Art Of Living. In 2015 thanks to meeting with Antonio Cargnello he found Contact Improvisation. Since then the intentional dance discovery of Kristaps has been touched by somatics, contemporary dance, aerial silks, acrobatics, martial arts, dance improvisation and nature based learning approaches as well as many teachers from them few the most impactful – Antonio Cargnello, Julia Melnik, Charlie Morrissey, Inese Upe, Asaf Bachrach. He has found dance and particularly CI as an essential and complementary tool for spreading human values and joy.
Kārlis Laizāns
Kārlis has over 8 years of experience in creating and facilitating events, gatherings, and workshops. His expertise lies in fostering meaningful connections through socializing, networking, and practices centered around consent, touch, cuddling, free-form dancing, and authentic relating. He has also deeply explored community living, group decision-making processes, and collaborative co-creation, gaining a well-rounded understanding of these dynamics. Lately, Kārlis has been delving into Playfight, a practice that has quickly become one of his favorite tools. It beautifully integrates a variety of powerful techniques and principles, including embodiment, emotional awareness, Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and consent.
The venue
Guest house "Laumas"
Laumas Recreation Park, located in the scenic Talsi Municipality of Latvia, offers a peaceful and nature-rich setting for your Erasmus+ training course. Just 20 km from Talsi, this venue features a spacious guesthouse with a 100 m² seminar hall, comfortable accommodations, and essential amenities for group learning and collaboration. Surrounded by forests and educational nature trails, it provides a perfect balance between focused training and deep integration. Easily accessible yet secluded from urban distractions, Laumas ensures a productive and inspiring experience for all participants.Accomodation, food and travel in defined travel budget limit per country is funded by EU. Country limits see in the travel reimbursement section.
In order to provide and keep a safe and focused atmosphere for everybody we invite you to agree with an alcohol/drugs-free policy during the whole training course.
Requirements for participation
This project is for you if you are:
Resident of: Latvia, Spain, Poland, Greece, Netherlands & Slovenia.
More than 22 years old.
Youth worker, trainer, facilitator, social worker, volunteer, artist, body worker, therapist, educator, or interested in integrating embodiment methods and NCV method in your work.
Committed to participating in ALL the phases of the training: Preparation, Training course (at least 7 hours per day) & Follow up.
Motivated to offer your knowledge and tools and share your practices during the course.
Being fluent in English so that you can participate fully in the project.
See the specific maximum travel budget according to each country
Travel Cost & Reimbursement
| Country | Reimbursement amount EUR | Partner organization | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | 28,- | Zaptes Rūķi | [email protected] |
| Netherlands | 309,- / Green travel 417,- | Stichting Dar al Yasmin | [email protected] |
| Poland | 211,- / Green travel 285,- | Educational Cha(lle)nge | [email protected] |
| Slovenia | 309,- / Green travel 417,- | Waste Into Treasure | [email protected] |
| Spain | 395,- | Associacio Corpografies | [email protected] |
| Greece | 395,- | EMBODHIMENT COLLECTIVE | [email protected] |
The travel costs of the participants will be refunded after the training course usually within 6 – 8 weeks (after participants send all their travel documents and fulfill closing tasks for the project including dissemination).
We are waiting for Your applications till the 5th of May 2025