Poetic Act
Discover Poetic Act and bring creative, embodied approaches to mental well-being into your youth work
Poetic Act
The Poetic Act Training Course will introduce youth workers to a creative methodology combining artistic expression, embodiment, mindfulness and storytelling.
When: 9-18/2/2027 (including travel days)
Where: Statek Habří, Moravecké Pavlovice, Czech Republic
For whom: 21 youth workers from Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Portugal, Italy and Bulgaria
Apply until: 30/10/2026
“What is the definition of a poetic act? It should be beautiful, imbued with a dreamlike quality … and should create another reality within the very heart of ordinary reality.”
– Alejandro Jodorowsky
What Is Poetic Act?
Main info
- Hands-on Poetic Act experience — create and facilitate your own individual or collective acts
- A practical creative toolkit using art, movement, storytelling, voice, symbolism and mindfulness
- New approaches to emotional well-being and supporting young people beyond verbal communication
- Skills for creating safe and inclusive spaces for exploration, expression and reflection
- International exchange with youth workers and practitioners from across Europe
- Tools and inspiration to bring Poetic Act into your own youth work after the training
- Youth workers, youth leaders and facilitators working with young people
- People interested in creative, artistic and embodied approaches to youth work
- Youth workers who want new tools for supporting emotional well-being and self-expression
- Participants interested in international exchange and learning from other European youth workers
- Both experienced practitioners and emerging youth workers are welcome
- Open-minded people willing to experiment, reflect and actively participate in the creative process
- You will take a full part in the whole programme
- You will fill the evaluation form send by INspire within 6 weeks after the program, and Impact form send within 3 months after the program.
- You will develop and perform personal or group Poetic Act in front of the audience, that will be recorded (but shared only with your permission)
- You will contribute to the dissemination of the programme
After the Training course, as a national team, you will:
- Organise a Local Workshops — Bring Poetic Act to your local community through workshops with young people and introduce them to creative approaches to self-expression and well-being.
- Organise a Workshop for Youth Workers — Share the methodology and practical tools with colleagues and other youth workers so they can use Poetic Act in their own practice.
- Organise a Public Performances — Present Poetic Acts to a wider audience and use artistic performance to open conversations about mental health, emotions and well-being.
- start with filling the application form.
- every partner organization (see below) will select participants to take part in the programme.
- if you are selected, you will receive a Confirmation Letter with more information regarding your participation. ONLY then you can start managing your travel arrangements and booking your tickets!
- if you have any questions, please contact us on an email info@czechinspire.eu
In a reflection groups, you will have daily cleaning tasks as a part of your community living experience. Namely, it is about:
- Prepareing breakfast
- Cleaning after lunch/dinner
- Cleaning outdoor/indoor spaces of the venue
Learning Process & Programme
* This is a plan but it will most probably change according the current needs of the group. Thus, you have an idea what is coming, but nothing is written in stone. Breaks are organised ad hoc according the needs of the group, and the exercise, and we are aiming for having minimum 30 mins breaks.
O1 – Empowering youth workers with innovative, holistic tools combining artistic expression, embodiment and mindfulness.
O2 – Creating meaningful artistic processes through which youth workers and young people explore personal stories, release tension and strengthen self-awareness.
O3 – Promoting mental health awareness through public performances, open dialogue and destigmatisation, while promoting inclusion, solidarity and respect for human dignity.
- Experiential learning — learning through direct experience, practice and reflection.
- Expressive arts — using visual art, voice, movement and other creative forms for self-expression.
- Embodiment & mindfulness — developing awareness of the body, emotions and present moment.
- Storytelling & creative writing — exploring personal stories and experiences through words and narrative.
- Peer learning & reflection — sharing experiences, giving feedback and learning from others.
- Poetic Acts & performance — transforming personal exploration into symbolic individual or collective performances.
7:30 Breakfast prep
8:00-9:00 Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Service & care
9:30-13:00 Morning program
13:00-14:00 Lunch
14:00-15:00 Siesta / Service & Care
15:00-18:00 Afternoon program
18:00-19:00 Reflection groups
19:00-20:00 Dinner
21:00-22:00 Evening program
22:00-7:00 Silent time (by law in a Czech republic – you can still do what you want, but do it in a way you are not disturbing the villagers)
23:00-7:00 Please, let people sleep (you can still do what you want, but do it in a way you are not disturbing the ones who want to sleep)
* You are obliged to take a full part in the program. If you need to be out (because you don’t feel well, or have an urgent business) or desire not to participate (because of sensitivity of the programme), let the facilitators know in advance.
- Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUWplAN8GoE
- Read this booklet: https://www.czechinspire.eu/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Magic-of-Art-Final.pdf
- Watch this documentary: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPwT-gd_2SEtjmXu0anpWqEyX-Tu7Y8ki-EbeFH/photo/AF1QipMpjHACc3kec2ZfNj1FZFBYEAs23y7A1RGZ5FvC
- Write one poem daily. Share it in our Discord channel & upload it here.
Programme Principles & Rules
- Program is fully vegetarian. Please, don’t bring any meat on spot.
- Alcohol is allowed only outside of the programme and is strongly discouraged.
- You will be helping with cooking (breakfasts) and cleaning.
a) Confidentiality. What participants are sharing during the project should not be discussed publicly, but should be respected, with the focus on anonymity of everyone.
b) Zero tolerance to discrimination and sexual harassment.
c) Active participation. You are expected and obliged to be on time and to take part in the whole morning and afternoon program. It is possible to skip, but you need to first talk about it with facilitators, and you need to have a relevant reason for it (i.e., need for decompression, feeling sick, job call, etc.).
d) No touch without consent. First ask, only then hug, etc. In a few days, this principle will not be necessary, but have it as a starting line.
e) Tap out sign & decompression zone. You are obliged to be on the programe, but you are not expected to do anything you don’t want to. You can anytime step out of the process, but please, stay present, or discuss with the facilitator if you need to leave.
CARE approach was devised by Veronica Spagna, and we follow it as much as possible. We would like to invite you to same. It is not a hard rule to follow, it is an ideal to practice, and achieve. We are neither perfect in practicing it… but we are doing our best.
- Co-creation. We are all creating the space and experience together. By being present, you have a power to influence that is going on. Speak up (either publicly, or in private with the organisers), and co-create the space with us. It is said, more you will put to the project, more you will get out of it.
- Accountability. We all make mistakes, and we don’t punish for mistakes. But we ask you to own the mistake. If you are late because you needed to run to bathroom, you are still late, and it is impacting others. If you offended someone without intending so, you still offended them. Recognize your part in everything that is happening around you.
- Radical tenderness. The world tends to be harsh and punishing, and we tend to be harsh to ourselves. Practice kindness towards yourself, and others. Every day, an act of kindness can change the world around you.
- Engagement. Some things might be boring for you. You might want to disengage and disappear to the online world or anywhere else. Choose to stay with the process, and make your pro-active. You hold the power to change what is happening in a way that is working for you.
- It is ok to step out of the process if you don’t feel well.
Please, review our Emergency Procedure
You will be a part of international programme. Please, review our document on basic cultural do’s and don’ts, and get familiar with our Risk Assessment.
Accommodation – Statek Habří
- The venue is a pension in the Vysočina region. Forest is nearby, there is a pool, stand-alone studio.
- Rooms will be from 4 to 8 people. The rooms are equipped with bedsheets.
- We are not providing gender separated room, unless it is a psychological or religious necessity (if so, contact Project Supervisor on info@czechinspire.eu who will arrange you extra support).
Website (in Czech).
- There will be 3 meals a day + 2 coffee breaks. The food provided during the program will be an environmentally-conscious vegetarian diet cooked by our amazing vegan chef who will be happy to provide you with information on sustainable and healthy cooking.
- Before the project, we will ask you about your special diet or allergies to arrange your needs in time.
- There are no shops nearby, please bring all the necessary stuff with you.
- In case of need, we can do shopping from time to time, based on availability of our shopping crew.
- travel insurance (by EU law obligatory on Medical Coverage, Accidents, Third-Party Liability Insurance, Travel and Death – if you need support with this, contact us)
- swimsuit (there is a jacuzzi)
- earplugs (for your own comfort)
- personal notebook (we have some for you as well, but they are not so fancy)
- umbrella/rain coat
- towel
- comfortable and warm clothes + shoes for indoors/outdoors activities, including longer walks
- some local vegan sweets (you can share them together during the breaks)
- water bottle
- slippers (only for your own comfort)
- personal hygiene, medicine, etc.
There is a dog in the neighbour’s garden – he’s super friendly, fluffy and cute and loves us. There are also 2 cats. If you are afraid of dogs or if you have any animal allergies, please let us know in the confirmation form (after you are selected, and we will arrange things accordingly).
Arrival & Departure
- Reach Křížanov (district Žďár nad Sázavou) on February 9th at 17:00. Once you arrive, we’ll take care of your transport to the facility.
- For traveling in the Czech Republic, you can use this website: https://idos.idnes.cz/en/vlakyautobusymhdvse/spojeni/
- Good tip: It can be difficult to pronounce the names of Czech cities. Write the names on a piece of paper and show them to people! They will try to help.
- Careful: There is another Křižanov in a different part of the Czech Republic (quite far away). Be sure to search for the route to Křížanov, okres Žďár nad Sázavou. There is a direct train connection from Prague and Brno. Křížanov, district Žďár nad Sázavou, lies in between them.
- You will be picked up at Křižanov at 17:00 by bus. Be on time!!
- Another arrival time is not impossible, but must be discussed with the project coordinator on info@czechinspire.eu.
- You will be taken back to Křižanov by bus at 8:15, on February 18th.
- Route to Křižanov takes 30 minutes (if you are on all on time in the bus). Plan your departure train accordingly.
- Another departure time is not impossible, but must be discussed with the project coordinator on info@czechinspire.eu.
Examples of other Poetic Acts
Inclusion support
There is extra 100€ as an organizational support for anyone declaring a fewer opportunities. What fewer opportunities means is nicely explained for example here.
If you are declaring yourself a fewer opportunities, those money will be used to arrange your comfortable participation, or can be provided to you for reimbursing specific costs. If you want to use this budget, please, contact us, we will discuss with you further how those money can be used.
If you have a specific limitations (i.e. more complicated diets, physical limitations, etc.), inform us right away!
We promise you to do all in our power to arrange your safe and comfortable participation within given context. Yet, we are learning that some challenges might be simply beyond our power.
To give you a specific example, if you have a serious celiac disease, we might not be able to arrange you a 100 % safety within the limits of the kitchen on the spot, and we have to discuss with you strategies how to approach this timely.
German partner requested an extra inclusion support for its participants, specifically:
- “youth workers who are also are refugees or migrants with fewer opportunities, facing financial constraints and administrative barriers that would otherwise prevent their participation.”
- “The inclusion support will be used exclusively for eligible, documented costs, and all expenses will be justified with invoices/receipts, in line with Erasmus+ rules.”
There is 3000 euro for 2 German participants (150 euro each) that can be used only for following categories:
- Purchase of luggage for participants who do not own suitable bags for international travel;
- Essential tools or materials required for the mobility activities (e.g. basic equipment related to the training or artistic work);
- Fees for official documents needed by refugees, such as residence-related certificates, travel documents, or administrative fees required for cross-border mobility.
If you fit into this category, you can request from us more info to recieve this support.
Travel Reimbursement
The project is co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme.
The costs of the programme, including meals, accommodation, and travel costs will be covered by the Erasmus+ programme. Please contact us to learn more about the financial details, and how to arrange the booking of your travel tickets.
Very important!
The travel expenses will be reimbursed on the basis of tickets, bookings and invoices, so remember to keep them all with you!
This is a recommended travel budget recommended by guidelines of Erasmus+ which we would be happy if you could follow. You will be reimbursed based on your real costs, upon consulting your journey with us.
Green travel means you are obliged to travel in a sustainable way – that means not by plane, but by bus, train, or carsharing (travelling alone in car is not considered sustainable). If you don’t want to travel green, please, contact project supervisor on info@czechinspire.eu.
You are anytime welcomed to travel GREEN – we can support you in it by reimbursing your hotels on the way.
| Country | Travel reimbursement limit | Green travel |
| Czech | €56 | Yes |
| Slovakia | €125 | Yes |
| Italy | €309 | No |
| Germany | €417 | Yes |
| Bulgaria | €417 | Yes |
| Portugal | €395 | No |
Partner organisations
Art Media Project
Bulgaria
oj@abv.bg
Project's Team
Vojtěch Žák
Trainer
I am a trainer, facilitator, coach, storyteller, and writer.
The main topics I am focused on are the labor market, social inclusion (mainly of the LGBT+ spectrum), and personal development. The main methods I use are storytelling, coaching, systemic work, body movement, art, gamification, and LARP.
info@czechinspire.eu
+420 775 636 658
Facebook
Veronica Spagna
Trainer
I have experiences in facilitating activities with young people, in formal and informal education about human rights, sustainable development and social inclusion using non-formal educational methods like embodiment, dance, arts and crafting. Creative and proactive, always a dancing step forward.
Michal Filipek
Chief, Sustainability Master
I am a Kitchen and sustainability facilitator, plant-based chef, low-waste lifestyle geek and sustainability lover. From studying French language and literature to Erasmus+ cooking. Long story short, I like cooking more. I can share with you my experiences in the kitchen, including several years working in a restaurant. My method is simple – everyone can cook. I believe that a sustainable lifestyle is not a matter of being perfect but implementing small steps into your everyday life. During this project, you will have a chance to experience many of these little steps and see which one is working for you. I will be there to support you!