About the Project

Be Festive brings together organisations from Greece, Cyprus, Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt, and Italy to explore traditional festivities across the Mediterranean as a platform for youth empowerment and cross-cultural exchange. Through an online cultural map, “Learning with Heritage” educational toolkit, international and local trainings, and immersive festival experiences, the project deepens cross-cultural understanding among young people and youth workers.

Why This Matters

Youth participation in civic life remains low across the Mediterranean region, with countries such as Jordan, Egypt, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Türkiye reporting youth engagement rates below the OECD average, and at the same time, growing cultural diversity calls for stronger opportunities to build cross-cultural understanding and inclusion. Traditional festivities offer an accessible, community-rooted entry point for engaging youth, including those from marginalised or rural backgrounds, at a time when appreciation of cultural heritage is fading among younger generations. The project targets young people and youth workers directly, while families, local communities, and civil society organisations benefit indirectly.

Objectives

• Develop a cultural map and educational resources that serve as tools for promoting diversity and inclusion
• Equip youth workers with an educational toolkit to promote preservation of cultural heritage, cultural sensitivity, and inclusivity
• Provide young people with immersive experiences in traditional festivities to foster a deep understanding of diverse cultures
• Raise awareness and foster a network of culturally aware youth workers capable of leading initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion