By implementing the Lotus Project, our main objective was to enhance the emotional well-being, personal development, and social inclusion of young refugees aged 13 to 30. By combining yoga and poe...

By implementing the Lotus Project, our main objective was to enhance the emotional well-being, personal development, and social inclusion of young refugees aged 13 to 30. By combining yoga and poetry, we developed a methodology that provides safe spaces for self-expression, resilience, and reconnection with inner strength and creativity. At the same time, we aimed to empower facilitators, artists, youth workers, and educators by equipping them with innovative tools rooted in movement and creative practice. This body–mind approach, less reliant on verbal communication, helps overcome language barriers and supports vulnerable youth who face difficulties expressing their experiences. Beyond individual benefits, the project sought to foster inclusive communities where participants can heal, learn, and act as engaged members of society. Inspired by EU values of dignity, unity, and respect, Lotus invited young refugees not only to imagine but also to actively shape a more positive future for themselves and the communities in which they live.

At the outset, a phase of collaborative research involved six trainers in France, Greece, and Germany. They selected and shared twenty key resources, providing the theoretical and practical foundations for the project. Three areas were especially influential: art and refugee mental health, yoga and resilience in the face of trauma, and poetic or therapeutic writing. Building on this groundwork, a structured methodology in three chapters was developed, combining yoga, breathing, and poetry (hereafter referred to as the “output”). Pilot workshops took place in Athens, Paris, and Berlin, enabling experimentation and refinement of the method. Each stage was preceded by facilitator training led by the coordinator to ensure coherence and effective transfer of the approach. Multi-level evaluation (participants, associated experts, partners) helped to validate and consolidate the results. Finally, the project disseminated its work through an official manual, two tutorial videos, and a promotional film, as well as through three European dissemination events (Athens, Paris, Berlin). Lotus thus combined research, creation, experimentation, and dissemination to offer a method transferable on a European scale.

The Lotus Project led to several tangible achievements: - A 98-page manual: A detailed methodological guide for leading workshops combining yoga and poetry, accessible to both beginners and professionals . - Two tutorial videos (10 minutes each): Demonstrations of lying and standing postures adapted for educational settings . - A promotional film – Lotus Flowers: Showcasing participant testimonials, highlighting their creativity, and raising public awareness . - Twenty research resources: Articles, reports, and best practices collected and shared among partners . - Three pilot workshops: Held in Athens, Paris, and Berlin, involving young refugees and local educators, followed by evaluations . - Facilitator training: Provided at every pilot stage to ensure understanding and coherence of the method . - Three European dissemination events (Athens, Paris, Berlin): Presenting results to a broad audience of professionals, artists, and youth . - A dedicated website: An open-access platform offering resources (manual, articles, videos, external references) . Together, these outcomes strengthen facilitator skills, highlight the creativity of young refugees, and promote a transferable method at the European level .