WATER

WATER is an Erasmus+ project that strengthens trauma-informed, embodied and arts-based youth work. Coordinated by APIS Institute, it brings together organisations from Slovenia, Spain, France, Greece, Latvia, Morocco and Jordan to support young people whose lives have been shaped by displacement, violence, discrimination or exclusion. The project coordinator is Romana Zajec.

Some experiences are difficult to put into words. Movement, breath, voice, visual arts and symbolic expression can offer other ways to connect, participate and express oneself. WATER explores how to use these resources safely and ethically, with attention to choice, personal boundaries and cultural context. Its approach builds on the work of Dr. Nena Močnik, Hana Alhadi and APIS Institute, moving from sensory perception through embodied regulation to artistic expression.

The project connects an international training with local follow-up activities, a digital WATER handbook and a community of practice. Participants will adapt methods to their own settings and share what they learn with young people and colleagues. This is professional development for youth work, not therapy, and no one is asked to disclose personal traumatic experiences.

Learning that travels home

After the training, run a workshop with at least five young people or present the methods to at least ten youth workers. Practice examples will help shape the WATER digital handbook.

The WATER partnership

APIS Institute / Zavod APIS (Slovenia); Asociación EuroMuévete (Spain); AMSED (France); ASANTE (Greece); Education, Culture and Sports Department of Riga Municipality (Latvia); Coconut Morocco (Morocco); East & West Center for Sustainable Development / WE Center (Jordan).

International training and open call

From 29 November to 6 December 2026, 30 youth workers will come together for eight days of experiential learning at Mekinje Monastery in Kamnik, Slovenia. Arrival is on 28 November and departure on 7 December. Led by Dr. Nena Močnik and Hana Alhadi, the training explores grounding, body awareness, creative expression, responding to challenging situations, youth worker wellbeing and cultural adaptation. The working language is English, with agreed peer and intercultural language support.

Applications are open to people aged 18 and over, with no upper age limit, who work directly with young people, can attend the full programme and are ready to apply the learning with support from their organisation. Choose the application for the country where you legally reside, rather than your nationality. National partner organisations coordinate applications and selection; participation is subject to selection and available places.

The application deadline is 25 October 2026 for Slovenia and 18 October 2026 for all other partner countries. Visit the WATER website to view the participant infopack, find the application for your country and contact the team.

Explore WATER and apply

View the infopack (PDF)

Contact

Questions and support needs: water@zavodapis.si.

Project coordinator: Romana Zajec, APIS Institute / Zavod APIS.

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 Slovenian National Agency MOVIT. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.