As part of the Stronger Together project, a local workshop titled “Body Mapping: Where do I feel my emotions?” took place in Bila Tserkva, Ukraine. The event gathered 22 young participants aged 15–20, including both local youth and internally displaced persons (IDPs). The goal was to explore emotional awareness through creativity and body-based reflection, while also encouraging communication in English.
The session offered a safe and creative space where participants could identify their emotions, express themselves through art, and connect with others in a supportive environment. Many participants had never experienced this kind of self-reflection before, especially through artistic and body-centered methods.
The event was facilitated by Yuliia Lynova and Liliia Stepchenko. Preparations included organizing a safe venue in partnership with NGO “Kebet”, gathering creative supplies such as paper, markers, magazines, and emotional cards, and developing calming visual and musical materials to enhance the atmosphere.
The workshop began with a short introduction to the concept of body mapping and emotional awareness. Participants then joined an icebreaker called “Emoji emotion guess,” followed by a check-in using weather metaphors to describe their emotional state and where they felt it in their body (e.g., “cloudy in my chest” or “sunny in my heart”). During a guided meditation, participants scanned their bodies while paying attention to physical and emotional sensations. They were then invited to silently recognize one dominant feeling and gently touch the part of the body where it lived.
The main part of the workshop was a hands-on Body Mapping session, where each participant created a life-sized outline of their body on large paper and used colors, drawings, and magazine cutouts to show where they felt emotions like joy, fear, anger, or love. This was followed by a short coffee break and a closing Reflection circle. In pairs and as a group, participants shared how they experienced the process, what emotions stood out, and what surprised them.
Many young people expressed personal insights and said it helped them better understand themselves.
At the end of the session, participants completed a short written reflection by answering three questions:
🔹 What did you enjoy most today?
🔹 What would you change or add next time?
🔹 What should we avoid in future workshops?
The results of the workshop showed strong emotional engagement and personal growth. Out of 22 participants, 18 joined the final reflection circle, and around 42% of the group were IDPs. The feedback revealed that participants learned how to recognize and name their emotions, gained experience in creative self-expression, and felt safe sharing their thoughts.
The activity also contributed to integration in the community. While the event was open to all youth, priority was given to internally displaced participants, creating a shared space of mutual support and empathy. Throughout the session, participants listened to one another, shared personal stories, and connected regardless of their background.
This local initiative is another example of how the Stronger Together project helps young people develop self-awareness, emotional resilience, and meaningful connections — one workshop at a time.
About the Project
The course was part of the SYWOR project, implemented by Young Agents of Change in collaboration with:
- Georgian Youth Development Association – GYDA (Georgia)
- European Integration Group (Turkey)
- MilleniuM Training and Development Institute (Moldova)
- Fundacja Nowy Staw (Poland)
The project is funded by the European Union and aims to strengthen youth workers and organizations involved in supporting displaced young people through capacity building and cross-border collaboration.
