Social Dance for Social Impact
Zagreb, Croatia
Gymnázium, Park mládeže 5, Košice is proud to be a partner in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project titled "Social Dance for Social Impact", which will take place in June 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia. This project is funded by the European Union. This inspiring project will bring together over 60 young people from Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, and North Macedonia to explore how social dance, with a focus on bachata, can foster confidence, connection, and intercultural understanding.
As a secondary school with a strong emphasis on language education, personal development, and cultural enrichment, we see this project as an ideal opportunity for our students to grow both personally and socially. The project is hosted by Urbana Mladež (Urban Youth) from Croatia, and we are honored to collaborate with other institutions dedicated to empowering youth with fewer opportunities.
Project Goals
- To help youngsters feel more confident, outgoing, and self-assured through social dance.
- To create a welcoming space where participants can connect, share, and support each other.
- To introduce young people to different cultures and perspectives in an interactive and engaging way.
- To inspire participants to explore new opportunities within Erasmus+ and beyond.
- To develop essential life skills through movement, creativity, and teamwork.
Why We Support Social Dance
At Gymnázium, we believe in providing learning experiences that go beyond the classroom. Whether through bilingual education, our Spanish Drama Club, or student-led events like the Days of Spanish Culture, we empower students to become confident, creative, and open-minded individuals.
This project aligns with our educational values and complements our students’ passion for languages, culture, and personal expression. Social dance—especially bachata—offers a fun and accessible way for students to express emotions, connect with others, and overcome social barriers. It’s an ideal method for strengthening communication skills, collaboration, and cultural empathy in a lively and inclusive environment.
For our students who participate in after-school activities like drama, volunteering, or the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, this exchange will add a new and exciting dimension to their development. It will allow them to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds, challenge themselves in a new setting, and build memories that will last a lifetime.
A Dynamic Erasmus+ Experience
By taking part in “Social Dance for Social Impact”, our students will:
- Broaden their horizons by engaging with different cultures
- Enhance self-confidence and teamwork skills
- Gain firsthand experience in international collaboration
- Be encouraged to pursue more Erasmus+ opportunities in the future
Our school is continuously working to give students real-life experiences that strengthen their independence, creativity, and global perspective. We are confident that this project will support those goals while giving our students an unforgettable adventure through learning, dancing, and international friendship.
We look forward to seeing our students grow through this experience and thank our partners and the European Union for supporting such meaningful youth initiatives.
Adriána Pivarníková
