Ukraine
Local Online Workshop on Mindfulness, Nature Connection, and Art Therapy
Online workshop held on Zoom for all interested participants.
Introduction
At the beginning of the workshop, we presented the essence, values, and objectives of the PEMEHECON training course. We also shared our personal experience of taking part in our first Erasmus project and spoke about what this opportunity meant to us.
Theoretical Part
After the introduction, we gave a theoretical presentation on the main themes related to the project, namely mindfulness and connection with nature. We explained why these topics are important, useful, and especially relevant nowadays.
We then spoke in more detail about art therapy, which was one of the main activities during our training course and one of the ways to be mindful and go with the flow. We explained what art therapy is, why it is beneficial for both mental and physical health, and how it is connected to mindfulness.
In addition, we shared practical ideas on how art therapy can be done at home or in nature. We also showed photo examples of how we practiced it during the project.
Practical Workshop
As a practical part of the meeting, we invited participants to take part in a reflective drawing activity. We asked them to divide a sheet of paper into three parts and draw their past, present, and future.
At the end of the exercise, we asked participants a number of reflective questions to help them think more deeply about their inner state, emotions, and self-understanding.
Discussion and Questions
At the end of the workshop, we summarised the session and answered participants' questions about the project, participation in Erasmus projects, and ways to stay mindful and manage stress in daily life.
Outcomes
The workshop helped participants become more familiar with the PEMEHECON project and its values. It also created space for reflection and introduced practical tools related to mindfulness and art therapy that participants can use in their everyday lives.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18Ve5MSBx5/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Links to the posts on social media & Participants' impressions from the project:
Shymon Yevheniia
Article 1:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DWj_ueQCBOP/?igsh=ZjhjOGMzN3g2dDJk
Article 2:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Dh8Q9caNn/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Shymon Yevheniia
This February I participated in my first Erasmus+ training course "Protect the Environment and Your Mental Health with Your Connection with Nature" (PEMEHECON), which took place in Vienna, Austria from 18.02.2026 to 01.03.2026.
The project was well organised and structured, with a clear programme that combined theoretical input, practical activities, and reflection sessions. The coordination team ensured a smooth flow of the training, provided clear instructions, and created a supportive and inclusive environment for all participants. The balance between structured sessions and free time also allowed us to process the experience and connect with each other.
The training was based on non-formal education methods and included a variety of creative exercises, mindfulness practices, and interactive group activities. A central part of the programme focused on the four natural elements — air, water, earth, and fire — and how they can be used to support mental well-being.
For example, while working with the element of air, we engaged in activities such as "drawing with air," which encouraged imagination and mindfulness. When exploring water, we observed the flow of the Danube River and reflected on its calming and symbolic meaning. Each activity combined artistic expression with self-reflection, making the learning process engaging and meaningful.
During the course, I gained a deeper understanding of the connection between mental health and nature. I developed practical skills in mindfulness, active listening, and creative expression, as well as competences in designing and facilitating activities for young people.
Working in international teams also improved my communication and intercultural skills. On a personal level, the experience helped me reconnect with myself, reflect on my identity, and find new ways to manage stress and digital overload.
One of the most positive aspects of the project was the diversity of participants and the opportunity to share cultures, traditions, and personal stories. The atmosphere was very open and supportive, which made it easier to express ourselves and try new things.
At the same time, some activities required stepping out of my comfort zone, especially those involving deep self-reflection or non-verbal expression. However, these challenges were also an important part of the learning process.
Overall, the experience was very valuable and well-balanced. As a possible improvement, it could be helpful to include even more time for reflection and discussion after certain activities, as well as additional space for participants to connect the methods more directly to their own professional context.
Overall, the course helped me develop both creative and organisational competences, as well as a deeper understanding of how to use nature-based methods in youth work to support mental well-being. It was truly an amazing experience with incredible people.
2. Liliia Fomina
Final Evaluation Paragraph
In my opinion, the organization and preparation for the project were of a very high standard. Although this is my first Erasmus project and I have nothing to compare it to, I am completely—and even more than that—satisfied with the experience I gained.
It was very convenient that the host organization also provided accommodation and a venue for the main activities. The living conditions were very comfortable, and the same applies to the location of the apartments.
In my opinion, all the activities led by the facilitators clearly aligned with the training course's theme and met my expectations before the trip. I am also very grateful to the organizers for their flexibility and understanding regarding the schedule of activities, which was quite comfortable, with a perfect balance between activities and breaks, as well as the start and end times of the activities. I am especially grateful that we had plenty of free time to explore the city and its culture more thoroughly. Additionally, receiving 7-day public transportation passes was a very pleasant bonus, which greatly simplified the logistics of planning our trips.
The activities were interesting and useful, allowing participants to develop key skills for youth workers such as active listening, competitiveness, creativity, problem-solving skills, thinking outside the box, taking responsibility, being a leader, and directly trying their hand at being a facilitator—and thus creating their own activity from scratch.
I also really liked the idea of reflecting on each exercise or activity—specifically, that we were first prompted to answer questions and only then were the essence and purpose of the activity revealed. And of course, the reflection time was very useful, where we could talk in a smaller group (which is definitely more effective) about our impressions, what we liked and what we didn't like, and all our complaints or suggestions were immediately listened to and taken into account.
I discovered a lot for myself during the reflection after the activities. One of the challenges was definitely stepping out of my comfort zone and expressing my opinion or feelings, being constantly surrounded by people I didn't know from the very beginning. However, with each passing day, it became easier and even more fun, so this can be considered another skill I've acquired.