Project Code: 2024-1-EL02-KA210-YOU-000243666
NEEDLES – Youth Re-stitching Communities [2024-1-EL02-KA210-YOU-000243666] is a youth-led initiative that responds to a critical yet often overlooked social need: the restoration of connection, care, and emotional resilience among young people through the symbolic and healing power of textile crafts. Born out of the shared belief that traditional handwork can become a tool for rebuilding social bonds and mental well-being, NEEDLES aims to reconnect young people in rural and marginalized communities with their heritage, their peers, and themselves—one stitch at a time.
In the aftermath of social isolation, rising anxiety, and disconnection that many youth experience—especially in rural areas or among vulnerable groups like migrants, Roma youth, and NEETs—this project uses simple, low-cost, and deeply symbolic actions such as embroidery, sewing, and mending to create space for reflection, creativity, and belonging. These practices are inherently mindful and slow-paced, encouraging participants to focus, share stories, and engage in peer-supported creative learning that promotes self-regulation and resilience.
The NEEDLES project is built upon two core aspirations: to promote youth mental well-being through accessible creative expression, and to reclaim traditional crafts as contemporary tools for inclusion and community engagement. From the very beginning, the ComMedi team and the young participants highlighted the need for safe spaces where creativity is not judged by skill but valued for its emotional and social impact. This approach makes NEEDLES particularly inclusive, creating entry points for young people who may have never participated in cultural or youth projects before.
Through a structured program of workshops, community actions, and public events, participants will learn how to use thread and needle not just as craft tools, but as means to process emotion, tell personal and collective stories, and contribute to a shared public artwork—a large, traveling Patchwork Wall. This collective creation becomes both a symbolic and literal stitching together of diverse voices, experiences, and traditions, turning fragmentation into connection.
At the same time, NEEDLES addresses broader social needs by giving young people from rural areas and underrepresented communities the opportunity to be seen, heard, and empowered. Through partnerships with local schools, the Women’s Association of Tyrnavos, Roma community members, and mental health professionals, the project fosters intergenerational dialogue, cultural exchange, and inclusive participation in the public sphere.
Over the course of 18 months (December 2024 – May 2026), the NEEDLES team will implement a series of creative workshops, exhibitions, community storytelling events, and outreach actions, all designed with inclusion, accessibility, and care at their core. The project culminates in public showcases and a community-wide call to “re-stitch” the social fabric—starting from the local level and expanding to broader European networks.
As its name suggests, NEEDLES is more than a project. It is a thread of hope, a gesture of care, and a youth-driven invitation to mend what has been torn—internally, interpersonally, and collectively.
