Art MINDS: Minority Inclusion via Digital Storytelling

The project aimed to equip adult educators with innovative methods for the inclusion of minorities such as Roma, refugees and migrants. By building on cultural heritage and applying digital storyt...

The project aimed to equip adult educators with innovative methods for the inclusion of minorities such as Roma, refugees and migrants. By building on cultural heritage and applying digital storytelling, we developed practical tools for educators and empowered minority groups to share and preserve their identities. Our objectives were to exchange best practices in promoting minority heritage, to stimulate intercultural dialogue and to strengthen social inclusion through digital skills. At the same time, the project fostered the self-confidence of minority groups by valorising their traditions and improved educators’ competences in intercultural learning and digital communication. We also built strong European networks for dialogue and cooperation, opening new opportunities for mutual understanding and participation. The results show the success of this approach: an online platform with 30 digital stories as a “museum” of shared culture, 285 learners actively engaged in intercultural events and 11 staff members who improved their digital and intercultural skills. The project thus made a strong contribution to the Erasmus+ priorities of inclusion, diversity, digital transformation, cultural heritage and lifelong learning.

The project was implemented in Austria, Portugal and Slovenia through four structured activities. Activity 1 (Project Management) ensured coordination, quality assurance, dissemination and stakeholder engagement, supported by regular online meetings and a physical kick-off in Eisenstadt with partners, policymakers and minority representatives. Activity 2 researched Roma, migrant and refugee traditions through desk research, expert interviews and community consultations, resulting in a multilingual study identifying 30 cultural influences that were developed into digital stories. Activity 3, a five-day LTTA in Madeira, trained staff and educators in digital storytelling, creative writing and intercultural communication, and led to the joint design of an innovative digital platform – a “cabinet of curiosities” showcasing minority heritage. Finally, Activity 4 celebrated diversity through intercultural festivals, presentations and panel discussions in all partner countries, reaching 285 participants and thus far exceeding the originally planned minimum. Together, these activities provided innovative learning to teachers and multipliers, empowered minorities, strengthened networks and delivered new tools for inclusion.

The project achieved concrete and visible results. A major output is the online platform with 30 digital stories – videos, narratives and visuals – presented as an interactive “cabinet of curiosities” that highlights the cultural heritage of Roma, migrants and refugees in Austria, Portugal and Slovenia. A multilingual research study on minority influences provided the basis for these stories and is freely accessible. According to Google Analytics, the project website attracted 572 active users, who generated more than 15,000 interactions, corresponding to several thousand page views. Quality assessments were conducted regularly, every four months. Capacity-building was achieved for 11 staff members, who enhanced their skills in digital tools, storytelling and intercultural education. 285 learners and community members engaged in intercultural workshops and festivals across all partner countries – clearly exceeding the expected minimum. Beyond tangible outputs, the project strengthened European networks, improved educators’ readiness for digital transformation and empowered minorities by valorising their traditions. It raised awareness, promoted intercultural dialogue and created sustainable resources that will remain accessible.