New Beginnings: Initiative for Overcoming Addictions – Building Awareness and Promoting Healthy Choices

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project “New Beginnings: Initiative for Overcoming Addictions” (2024-1-PL01-KA152-YOU-000220301) took place in Lublin, Poland, from 9 to 16 December 2024. Coordinated by Stowarzyszenia Polish Healthy Life Association, the project brought together young participants from Türkiye, Austria, Italy, Romania, and Poland, with GrüneInitiative Verein participating as a partner organization. The project aimed to raise awareness about different forms of addiction, encourage healthy lifestyles, and strengthen international cooperation through intercultural learning and non-formal education activities.

Interactive group games played an important role in strengthening communication and team spirit among participants. Through movement-based and game-oriented activities, young people had the opportunity to interact more closely with one another, develop trust, and improve their social skills. These activities encouraged active participation, increased group cohesion, and created a positive learning environment that supported collaboration throughout the project.

Educational sessions focusing on different types of addiction provided participants with comprehensive knowledge about smoking, alcohol, substance abuse, gambling, technology, and shopping addictions. Through presentations, multimedia tools, and interactive discussions, participants explored how addictions develop, the risks they pose to individuals and society, and possible prevention strategies. These learning experiences helped participants become more aware of the importance of healthy choices and responsible decision-making.

Survey-based activities involving local community members enabled participants to examine public perceptions of addiction and gambling more closely. By collecting and analyzing anonymous responses, young people gained practical experience in research, data interpretation, and critical thinking. The activity also highlighted common misconceptions surrounding gambling and helped participants better understand how addictive behaviors can influence individuals and communities.

Another significant learning experience focused on analyzing gambling-related messages portrayed in television series and digital media. Participants critically examined how gambling is presented in popular culture, discussed its potential influence on audiences, and developed their media literacy skills. Creative reflection activities further encouraged participants to think about the long-term consequences of addiction and express their ideas through personal messages and awareness-raising content. Combined with cultural exchange activities, dissemination work, and evaluation sessions, these experiences strengthened participants’ communication skills, empathy, self-awareness, and commitment to promoting healthier lifestyles within their communities.