The Joyful Minds project officially began its journey through the first online consortium meeting, held via the Zoom platform. Partners from four countries gathered to harmonize the activity plan, exchange ideas, and lay solid foundations for the successful implementation of the project.
Partners United by a Common Vision
The project consortium consists of four organizations that share the same mission – strengthening the mental resilience of young people through humor:
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Youth Can (North Macedonia)
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NISMA ARSIS (Albania)
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Forum za slobodu odgoja (Forum for Freedom in Education) (Croatia)
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Genesis Project (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
These organizations have combined their knowledge and experience to empower youth workers and educators with practical, research-based humor techniques that help young people develop emotional regulation, cognitive flexibility, and stress-coping skills.
What Does the Joyful Minds Project Bring?
During the online meeting, the partners presented the shared goals and key activities of the project, which will cover the next two years:
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Training more than 50 youth workers and educators in applying humor-driven mental health strategies,
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Engaging over 1,000 adolescents through resilience and emotional balance workshops,
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Developing a digital platform that combines e-learning and interactive live training,
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Strengthening international cooperation among youth organizations in the region.
Humor as a Bridge to Mental Resilience
The Joyful Minds project starts from the idea that humor can be a powerful tool in working with young people, especially those facing mental health challenges. Through workshops, digital tools, and innovative educational approaches, the project strives to create a safe environment where young people will learn through laughter, strengthen their emotions, and develop resilience.
Looking Ahead
The first online meeting marked the beginning of an inspiring partnership and a shared journey toward creating positive change. In the coming months, the teams will work on developing the curriculum and preparing educators who will soon begin implementing the humor-driven workshops across the region.