Creative Canvas
Obojena klapa together with its partners Hate Fighters Network (HFN) from Serbia, Beyond Borders from Italy and Youth Centre Perspektiva from Albania implements a capacity building project “Creative Canvas” to tackle issues of discrimination, hate speech, cyberviolence and gender-based discrimination and violence through creative tools and methods in work with young people.
Project aims
The main aim of the project is separated in two dimensions:
a) identifying, consolidating and promoting existing best practices of using art as a tool for activism; and
b) creating and enabling an environment to develop new approaches to countering, preventing and fighting cyberbullying, hate speech, discrimination and gender-based violence.
Creative Canvas project will be implemented from November 2025 to October 2027, with activities in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy and Serbia. Creative Canvas project is co-financed by the European Union.
The Experts Meeting of the Creative Canvas project was successfully held from 7–9 February 2026 Orta Nova, Italy, hosted by Beyond Borders. The meeting gathered 12 experts from partner organizations in Italy, Serbia, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who worked together on developing innovative tools to combat hate speech through youth-led online campaigns and artistic activism.
During the meeting, participants defined the research methodology for mapping best practices in online campaigns and planned the development of the guidebook “Graffiti ABC: A Guide to Combat Hate Speech,” which will serve as a practical resource for young activists and youth workers.
This important milestone strengthened international cooperation and laid the foundation for future campaign activities aimed at promoting inclusivity, creativity, and positive social change.
Oriented Research
Each partner organization conducted national-level research to map existing best practices related to the development and implementation of successful youth-led online campaigns. The research was carried out in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, and Serbia, with each partner identifying and presenting a minimum of four examples of effective practices, resulting in at least sixteen good practices collected across the project consortium.
The activity focused on analyzing innovative approaches, engagement strategies, communication methods, and impact measurement techniques used in youth-led digital campaigns. Partners gathered data through desk research, case study reviews, and consultations with relevant stakeholders and youth organizations.
As a result, four national reports on best practices in campaign development were produced, one from each partner country. The findings from these reports were consolidated into a comparative analysis report, which highlighted common trends, successful strategies, challenges, and lessons learned across different national contexts.
Based on the research outcomes, the partnership developed a comprehensive list of recommendations for integrating identified best practices into future youth-led online campaigns. In addition, a collection of case studies showcasing impactful youth-led digital campaigns was compiled, providing practical examples and inspiration that partners could adapt and replicate in their future activities.
The activity was coordinated by Beyond Borders, which oversaw the research process, ensured methodological consistency among partners, and led the development of the comparative analysis and final recommendations.
ABC Graffiti Guidebook
The ABC Graffiti Guidebook was created as an educational and practical tool that explores how graffiti and street art can be used as powerful forms of youth expression, activism and awareness-raising. It provides young people and youth workers with knowledge, inspiration and practical guidance on how to use graffiti art in campaigns that promote diversity, tolerance, solidarity and respect.
Inside the guidebook, readers can find content on the history and significance of graffiti in activism, practical instructions on graffiti techniques, drawing graffiti letters, using stencils, spray paint and paste-up techniques, as well as safety guidelines and ethical and legal considerations when creating art in public spaces. The publication also includes examples of successful graffiti-based campaigns and stencil ideas that can be used in future actions.
The design and layout of the guidebook were developed to be engaging, accessible and youth-friendly, making it suitable for use in trainings, workshops, campaigns, youth work activities and creative public actions.