DiMiCs: Diverse Minds, Creative Sparks
The Diverse Minds, Creative Sparks project aims to increase the availability of therapeutic activities for neurodiverse youth through the use of art and horticultural therapy. It seeks to strengthen the competences of occupational and community therapists, special educators, and activity instructors, as well as to support parents and caregivers in working with young people with special needs.
THE PROJECT AIMS TO:
- foster the passions and interests of neurodiverse youth,
- enhance their independence, creativity, and teamwork skills,
- promote equal access to non-formal education and therapeutic activities,
- support social inclusion and the development of pro-environmental attitudes through contact with nature and creativity.
TARGET GROUPS
The project addresses two main groups:
Direct target group:
occupational and community therapists,
activity instructors and special educators,
neurodiverse youth aged 13–25 (including individuals with autism, Asperger’s syndrome, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities).
Indirect target group:
parents and caregivers of neurodiverse youth,
psychologists, special educators, and teachers,
NGOs and organizations supporting young people with fewer opportunities,
cultural institutions and community centers providing creative or therapeutic activities for young people with special educational needs.
PROJECT RESULTS
The project will produce innovative educational resources and practical tools to support work with neurodiverse youth:
- Toolkit – a set of at least 15 modern art and horticultural therapy techniques,
- Tutorial Kit – a collection of instructional videos demonstrating the methods step by step,
- 30 workshop scripts – including 15 training sessions for educators and 15 intergenerational workshops (youth + caregivers),
- Pilot report evaluating the tested tools,
- 3 dissemination conferences and online information campaigns,
- Communication, Quality Assurance, and Sustainability Plans ensuring the long-term use of project outcomes.
PATRTNERS
- Strefa Inspiracji i Rozwoju (Poland)
- Avrupa Gençlik Sağlık ve Kalkınma Derneği (Turkey)
- ARTIED Ltd (Bulgaria)
- AISBERG (Lithuania)
DURATION
2020-12-01 – 2023-03-31
Source of funding
Co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme
