Sustainability on Stage 2.0 – A Transformative Journey in Asturias, Spain
In 2024, a unique project, Sustainability on Stage 2.0, brought together youth workers from six different countries—Serbia, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and Turkey—to explore the powerful intersection between theatre and sustainability. This Erasmus+ funded training, held in the lush forests of Asturias, Spain, provided a life-changing experience for all participants. The project aimed to deepen knowledge of sustainability while introducing participants to innovative theatre techniques, including Sensory Theatre, Social Theatre, and Forum Theatre, which serve as tools for promoting social transformation and environmental awareness.
The Training Journey: A Multi-Dimensional Experience
The training kicked off with an online course in August and September 2024, where participants spent 20 hours diving into the foundational concepts of sustainability, learning about the crucial role of youth work in fostering environmental consciousness. This was followed by an residential course from September 19th to 24th, 2024, in the picturesque region of Asturias, where participants had the chance to practice and apply what they had learned.
The real magic began once we were all gathered in Asturias, surrounded by nature, with no distractions—just the serene beauty of mountains, rivers, and the peaceful sounds of birds. This immersive environment allowed participants to connect deeply with the land and each other while exploring theatre’s potential to engage communities in meaningful conversations about sustainability.
Exploring Theatre as a Tool for Change
The highlight of the training was the application of theatre as a transformative tool for social change. Participants were introduced to different styles of theatre, including Sensory Theatre, which encourages participants to engage with their surroundings through their senses, creating a deeper connection with nature. They also explored Forum Theatre, which invites the audience to become active participants, allowing them to express solutions to social issues in real-time.
Another important technique was Social Theatre, which focuses on reflecting social issues through performance, creating a space for dialogue and learning. These methods proved to be invaluable in helping the group tackle issues related to sustainability, social justice, and environmental responsibility, all while fostering teamwork and collaboration.
Real-World Application of Theatre Techniques
Throughout the week, the participants performed various theatre pieces in real-world settings, including local markets in Infiesto, a community centre, and even in the forests of Asturias. The performances addressed issues such as environmental sustainability, human connection to nature, and social transformation, creating a dialogue between the local community and the participants. The reactions were powerful, showing the impact that theatre can have on raising awareness and encouraging positive change.
As one of the participants beautifully expressed in a poem during the project:
“The same river that can push a ship,
or rotate a mill,
wants to tell us that it’s not about the power,
but the will.”
– Dushan
As a result of this project we created beautiful toolkit called: “Sustainability on Stage Toolkit ” and you can download it here.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the partners, participants, and supporters who made Sustainability on Stage 2.0 possible. Through collaboration, creativity, and the shared desire to make the world a better place, we have planted the seeds for a more sustainable future.
We look forward to seeing how these experiences will continue to ripple through the communities and the lives of those who took part in this incredible journey.
This project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
