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ABOUT THE PROJECT

From Hogwarts to Wakanda, from the Dauntless to the Avengers stories shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. They remind us that despite our differences, we can stand together. And that even the most unlikely characters can become heroes – when they choose to care.

Epic Bonds is a European project that turns the power of popular stories into a new tool for youth work. By using the worlds young people already know and love we explore big ideas like identity, empathy, and belonging. The goal is to help youth workers prevent polarisation, build understanding, and create stronger, more inclusive communities.
We believe social cohesion isn’t just a buzzword – it’s about helping young people live together, see things from another perspective, and feel like they belong.

Here’s how we’ll do it:
1. Create ready-to-use tools – including workshop scenarios, practical syllabuses, and bite-sized microlearning courses. All of them will use stories from popular books and movies to help young people talk about who they are, how they see others, and how we can live better together.
2. Train youth workers from different countries to learn how to use these tools in their everyday work. The goal is to empower them to bring these approaches into classrooms, community centers, and youth spaces.
3. Build a community of practitioners (educators, facilitators, and youth workers) who share a passion for using storytelling and pop culture in their work. Through this community, we’ll exchange ideas, experiences, and best practices.
4. Offer online sessions and trainings – from live webinars to self-paced content, we’ll open up access to our methods and insights so that youth workers across Europe (and beyond) can join the movement.

By the end, we hope more youth workers will feel ready to bring young people together, help them understand each other better, and make their spaces more welcoming for everyone.

Or as Albus Dumbledore once said:
“Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.”

EPIC Bonds Webinar Series

Navigating Minds, Power and Change in Youth Work with support of Harry Potter, Wicked, Wednesday or Star Wars 

We invite educators, youth workers, trainers and professionals working with young people to join our 12-part webinar journey designed to strengthen critical thinking, inclusion, cultural intelligence and resilience.

The series is divided into three thematic seasons. Each webinar can be attended separately, but together they form a coherent learning pathway.

Each webinar is scheduled for 60 minutes, starting at 17:30 CET (dates below).

SEASON I:  The mind at work
Understanding how we think, decide and learn

Before we address inclusion or polarization, we need to understand the mechanisms behind human thinking and group learning. In this season we explore cognitive processes, bias, disinformation and the foundations of reflective thinking.

Webinars:

  • 17.03.2026 – In the shadow of the ring: The hidden forces behind our decisions

Exploring the psychological forces that shape our choices and how unconscious patterns influence decision-making.

  • 14.04.2026 – May the facts be with you: Cognitive bias and disinformation

Understanding how bias works, why misinformation spreads, and how to strengthen fact-based reasoning.

  • 19.05.2026 – How to navigate in the rabbit hole: Developing solid arguments before establishing an opinion

Practical tools for critical thinking, argumentation and fact-checking in a world of instant opinions.

  • 23.06.2026 – Learning magic potions: The ingredients that make group learning work

​What truly creates effective learning environments? Exploring how to work with diverse groups.

SEASON II:  Power, identity and inclusion
Who decides what is fair?

Youth work always operates within power dynamics. Fairness is rarely neutral, and inclusion is never automatic. This season explores how power, empathy, emotional intelligence and cultural differences shape belonging and justice.

Webinars:

  • 14.07.2026 – Navigating the multiverse: Cultural Intelligence in complex worlds

Developing the skills to operate across cultural differences and diverse realities with confidence and sensitivity.

  • 25.08.2026 – Good, Wicked, or just powerful? Fairness in inclusion

Who defines what is fair? Examining power structures, narratives and hidden hierarchies in inclusion work.

  • 15.09.2026 – From the Upside Down to the Learning Spaces: Understanding Emotional Challenges in Adolescents

How adverse experiences shape behaviour, relationships, and emotional regulation in young people? Understanding empathy as a core educational skill.

  • 13.10.2026 – Catching and developing our emotional competences

Strengthening emotional awareness, regulation and resilience in ourselves and in young people.

SEASON III:  Young people in times of change
Belonging, polarization and future readiness

Today’s youth are growing up in a world of rapid change, digital influence and shifting identities. Understanding their realities is essential. This season focuses on generational shifts, belonging, polarization and building preparedness for uncertainty.

Webinars:

  • 24.11.2026 – Generation Alpha Unfiltered: Trends and learning patterns shaping the new learners

Who are the new learners? Understanding generational traits, digital culture and emerging expectations.

  • 15.12.2026 – Logged In for belonging: From peer group to radical community

How belonging works, how it protects, and how it can also become a gateway to exclusion and radicalization.

  • 12.01.2027 – Bridging the divide: Practical strategies for helping young people understand and navigate polarization

Tools for dialogue, perspective-taking and reducing “us versus them” thinking.

  • 09.02.2027 – Navigating the change: building confidence and prepardeness in uncertain times

Developing adaptability, psychological safety and future-oriented skills in young people and educators.

After each webinar, participants will be invited to continue their learning through a short online course. These interactive modules will deepen the topics discussed during the session and provide additional practical tools, examples and reflection exercises. The short online courses are designed to help you consolidate knowledge, apply it in your own context and further develop your skills at your own pace. This way, the learning does not stop after the webinar, but continues in a structured and practical format.

Additionally, each online course will introduce a ready – to use – workshop scenario, inspired by POP culture text & connected to its topic. 

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance after completing each season. The certificate will reflect the webinars attended within that season.

The sessions will be conducted in English, with AI-supported live translation available in Polish, Lithuanian, Italian, Portuguese and Czech. 

Save the date and register now HERE