Back to Roots
Client: Windmill Foundation, June 2023
10-day international youth exchange exploring identity and culture
Project Overview
Commissioned by the Windmill Foundation and funded through the Erasmus+ framework, Back to Roots was a 10-day international youth exchange bringing together 30 participants (ages 18–29) from Poland, Ukraine, France, Georgia, Italy, and Spain. The program explored the concept of identity through the lens of “roots”—including cultural, psychological, ideological, biological, and environmental dimensions—with the aim of fostering self-awareness, intercultural understanding, and community connection.
Curriculum
The curriculum was rooted in experiential learning, with a strong emphasis on embodied awareness, emotional intelligence, storytelling, and community-building. Together with the Foundation’s CEO, I co-developed a program that blended structured workshops with personal exploration and artistic expression.
Key sessions and formats included:
Cultural and ideological roots: group storytelling exercises, dialogue circles, and reflective writing
Biological and nature roots: walking barefoot and blindfolded through the forest, dawn mountain hike
Psychological roots: men’s and women’s circles, emotional mapping, and identity exploration exercises
Creative expression: intuitive painting, free movement, collaborative installation design
Stillness and presence: a full-day silent retreat modeled on Vipassana practices
The final days culminated in a two-day creative project where participants, working in teams, created immersive “root experiences” for their peers—ranging from guided rituals and nature installations to interactive storytelling spaces. This project allowed for synthesis of the learning, expression of personal insight, and peer-to-peer engagement.
Facilitation
As the program’s lead facilitator, I delivered six of the ten program days, designing and leading three 120-minute sessions per day. My role included:
Holding space for deep emotional and intercultural exploration
Guiding high-energy group processes while maintaining psychological safety
Providing structure and momentum to each learning arc
Supporting group cohesion across national, linguistic, and personal differences
I facilitated all major embodied, artistic, and nature-based exercises, while also co-leading the reflection sessions and supporting the integration of participant experiences. The program was conducted entirely in English and required continuous adaptation to the emotional tone and energy of the group.
Outcomes
Back to Roots had a profound emotional and social impact. Participants repeatedly described the experience as transformative and deeply meaningful. The WhatsApp group created for the program has remained active for over two years—a testament to the sense of connection and community it generated.
Impact
For me personally, the project was a milestone in my facilitation career, offering a chance to lead a long-form, intercultural learning experience from design to delivery. It also refined my skills in holding space, sequencing complex learning experiences, and guiding international groups through immersive transformation.
