Youth exchange | Mezzoldo 9-16 June 2026
Stage at High Altitude (in Italian “In scena ad alta quota”) is an international mobility project funded by the Erasmus+ programme. It brings together 36 young people from Italy, Spain, Romania, France, Lithuania and Greece in a shared learning experience set in a unique mountain environment.
The project creates a safe and inspiring space where young people can explore culture in all its dimensions through theatre and improvisation. Culture is not approached as something to study, but as something to live, reinterpret and express.
Through embodiment exercises, storytelling, stage improvisation and collective reflection, participants transform elements of their personal and cultural backgrounds into creative performances. The focus is not on historical accuracy, but on emotional truth, identity and connection.
In this way, the stage becomes a space of encounter — where differences are valued, voices are heard, and culture becomes a living, shared experience.
We strongly believe in the power of non-formal education — not simply because it is widely used within the Erasmus+ youth framework, but because it opens up meaningful and dynamic learning possibilities. It creates space for participation, experimentation and genuine group processes.
From a youth work perspective, this approach supports the development of key competences such as intercultural communication, teamwork and emotional awareness. By prioritising body language and theatre, and complementing them with moments of mindfulness and reflection, we create an inclusive learning environment that goes beyond language barriers.
This methodology offers an expressive channel that is accessible even to those who may struggle with English or with more traditional forms of learning. As a result, the experience becomes especially meaningful for young people with fewer opportunities, who can find authentic spaces for self-expression, confidence-building and active participation.
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Participants will develop expressive, relational and intercultural competences, learning to communicate more authentically beyond language barriers. Through theatre and improvisation, they will strengthen self-confidence, teamwork and listening skills, while deepening awareness of their own cultural identities. The experience aims to foster active citizenship, openness and motivation for future European engagement.
For partner organisations, the project strengthens international cooperation and introduces innovative non-formal methodologies that can be replicated in future activities. The combination of a mountain setting, practical sessions and collective reflection offers a reusable model for youth exchanges.
At community level, the impact will continue through public events, social media outreach and the sharing of performances and digital materials. Participants will act as ambassadors in their communities, spreading messages of inclusion, creativity and intercultural dialogue.
The activities will take place in Mezzoldo, a charming mountain village in Val Brembana, in the province of Bergamo, Italy.
The venue, Rifugio Madonna delle Nevi, offers welcoming indoor spaces and wide outdoor areas where participants can engage in group work, creative sessions and moments of reflection in close contact with nature. The mountain setting is not just a backdrop, but an essential part of the learning experience, fostering focus, connection and a strong sense of community.