The Self-Telling Kit is the first major output of Eurhope, co-designed by the four project partners and tested during a Training Course held from 9 to 13 December 2024 in Tirana, Albania. During the Training Course, 13 youth workers from partner organizations were introduced to the Self-Telling Kit and provided with the skills and techniques needed to analyze current narratives, develop interview techniques, and prepare content in both self-telling and narrative journalism, as well as measuring the shared vision in the field with participatory interviewing and writing work, together with a Non-Formal Education (NFE) approach. The feedback received from these participants has been incorporated in this final version of the Self-Telling Kit.

This Self-Telling Kit is based on some of the main instruments of narrative journalism, and it is meant to be used as a reference and a guide for the development of self-narrative or reality storytelling projects. As such, the approach that lies at the foundation of the Self-Telling Kit is participatory, and it is centred around the idea that communities should be empowered to tell their own stories. The Kit explores different ways to do this, and is also characterized by adherence to some of the main canons of journalism: verification and protection of sources, fact-checking, protection of vulnerabilities, respectful language, and knowledge of shared contexts and sensitivities, among other important topics.

We hope that this Self-Telling Kit inspires young people and youth workers from countries all around and outside of Europe to share their experiences of what Europe means to them today and how they envision Europe in the near future, as well as how it stands in relation to the values on which it was founded. They can share their perspectives on how EU policies impact their daily lives, education, and job opportunities. They can discuss the challenges and benefits of living in a multicultural society and how the EU’s stance on immigration and integration affects their communities. Moreover, they can reflect on their hopes and aspirations for the future of the EU, including their views on unity, solidarity, and the preservation of European values in the face of rising nationalism and populism. By empowering and hearing directly from young voices, we can gain a deeper understanding of the evolving European identity and the role of youth in shaping its future.