From September 3rd-10th, 2026, we took part in the Erasmus+ training course “Body Image & Self-Esteem – How to Help Young People Accept Themselves and Their Bodies”, hosted by Move2Europe APS and our Elvira Santaniello in Pietrelcina, Italy.

Over several days, youth workers from different European countries explored body image as an educational and social issue, not just a personal one. Through non-formal education, experiential workshops, storytelling, body-awareness exercises, and peer learning, we reflected on our own relationships with our bodies and how these are shaped by social expectations, stereotypes, and the imagined gaze of others.

Key moments included movement-based sessions on presence and expression, activities comparing “the body I feel” with “the body I think others see”, and workshops where we shared real cases from our work with young people. Together, we turned personal insights and international exchange into concrete tools for more inclusive, body-liberating youth work.

Why was this event special? It was a possibility for several of us involved in Body Liberation Network to reconnect and form meaningful ideas for future collaborations that you will hopefully hear soon about!