Francisco Miranda

10/05/2026

01/12/2025

Through the Erasmus+ program, I had the opportunity to take part in Storytelling Our Stories, a project in Pembroke, Malta 🇲🇹. This place became our home, our classroom, and a creative space where culture, technology and storytelling came together in the most inspiring way. Hosted by Pixeltales Collective, was designed to help young people from diverse cultural backgrounds connect, learn, and express themselves through the preservation and celebration of traditional heritage. Participants came from Portugal, Romania, Turkey, Malta, Latvia and The Netherlands 🇵🇹 🇷🇴 🇹🇷 🇲🇹 🇱🇻 🇳🇱 , each bringing their own culture and unique stories.Together, we created a space of learning, expression and genuine human connection.

What I learned
During this exchange, I discovered new ways to improve my storytelling not just the way I speak or present, but the way I feel, listen and communicate with intention. I learned how powerful non-verbal communication can be, and how a simple gesture, a look, or a shared moment can tell a story on its own.

Why this project matters?
S.O.S aims to empower young people to become storytellers of their own cultural heritage using creativity, technology, and collaboration. It encourages us to value our traditions, understand the traditions of others, and develop the skills needed to preserve them for future generations.

🎬 Activities that shaped our journey
We explored storytelling through many fun and creative workshops such as:
- Theatre play
- Interacting and interviewing locals
- Basics of photography & videography
- Visual storytelling for cultural preservation
- Exploring digital narratives
- Discussions on youth, tradition & digital developments
- Learning different AI tools for storytelling
- Group work, challenges and self-growth activities

Every activity pushed us to grow, to open up, and to express ourselves in new and exciting ways. We didn’t just learn, we transformed.
Beyond the workshops and learning, something even more special happened…
We created connections that stretched far beyond the limits of the project. We shared laughs that echoed through the halls, late-night conversations that felt like secrets whispered to the stars, stories that brought us closer, hugs that held more meaning than words, and moments of both challenge and victory that intertwined our paths. Somewhere in between all of this, strangers gently became friends… and friends grew into something deeper, a family. A family bound not by blood, but by memories, trust, and the quiet magic of being truly understood. A family that I will carry with me forever the kind of bond that doesn’t fade with time or distance, but lives softly and beautifully in the heart.
This experience helped me grow not only as a communicator, but also as a person. It reminded me how powerful our stories can be when we decide to share them. I’m leaving Malta inspired, grateful, and ready to keep giving space to the voices and traditions that deserve to be heard.

Love you all!🫂❤️

29/11/2025

Through the Erasmus+ program I had the opportunity to take part in Hear Me Out, a powerful project that brought me to the magical nature of Taevaskoja, Estonia 🇪🇪 a big house surrounded by forest, a peaceful river, and a small lagoon that felt like something out of a fairytale.
From 29 October to 07 November, this place became our home, our stage, and our safe space.
Inspired by the storytelling spirit of Humans of New York, the project focused on giving a voice to the stories we all carry within us, the ones shaped by our experiences, struggles, and triumphs. In a world overflowing with noise, this project reminded us how important it is to listen, to share, and to truly be heard.
With an incredible group of participants from Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy and Portugal 🇪🇪 🇱🇻 🇧🇬 🇭🇺 🇮🇹 🇵🇹 and under the organization MTÜ Motion we created a space filled with empathy, creativity and personal growth.

Throughout the week, we explored storytelling through:
- Photography and video
- Theatre and improvisation
- Movement and embodiment exercises
- Conversations with locals
- Group challenges and reflection activities

We stepped outside our comfort zones, pushed our creative boundaries, and learned to express ourselves in ways we never tried before. Each team shaped part of the program with their own talents, making it a truly unique and collaborative learning journey. This experience helped me connect more deeply with myself and others, reminding me that every story matters, and that sharing our truths can bring people closer together. I leave Estonia feeling inspired, grateful, and determined to keep giving space to voices that deserve to be heard. 🎙💙

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25/06/2025

I just want to say thank YOU for everything!
The dedication, love, and energy are what make this journey so unforgettable.🫂

This team is something very special. The connections we’ve built, the way we support and uplift each other, the laughter, the hard work...it’s rare, and I’m so proud to be a part of it.
We are not just a group, we’re a family!
With heart, passion, and a bond that goes beyond borders.
Together, we can do anything, and we will!
Love you all ❤️
We are amazing! ✨️
🫶

10/06/2025

SYORIPIC – Latvia 🇱🇻 | Erasmus+ 🌿
From May 27 to June 6, I had the privilege to be part of something truly unforgettable the SYORIPIC project in Latvia, hosted by the incredible organization Izaugsmes Avots. Set in a beautiful house, this project brought together amazing participants from Portugal 🇵🇹, Romania 🇷🇴, Turkey 🇹🇷, and Latvia 🇱🇻, creating a diverse and vibrant environment of learning and connection.
This experience was so much more than just a project, it was a journey of learning, growing, and connecting.

During these enriching days, we explored:

🧠 New techniques to improve teamwork and storytelling;
🤖 The power of AI tools, and how AI tools can shape and influence our cultures, both positively and negatively;
🌍 Deep discussions around cultural inclusion, diversity, and what it means to be European;
💃 Sharing and learning traditional dances, blending them all into one epic flashmob that we performed in the heart of Riga!
🤝 And so many moments of laughter, support, and true connection.

We brought all of this learning into action with creative and fun activities, from interactive theatre, to street interviews with locals about European identity and culture and dynamic group challenges that helped us grow closer as a team and as individuals.
But above all, what made this experience truly special was the people.
The energy, the collaboration, the respect, the love. We weren’t just participants we were a team, a family. We came from different places, with different stories, but we were working together, following the same path, the same goal.
This experience gave me not only new tools but a new perspective and most importantly, a new family. Now, we proudly say: We are part of the ❤️

A big, heartfelt thank you to Andreia, for everything you gave to this project all of her dedication, care, and energy made it unforgettable.
I leave this project feeling inspired and grateful to keep walking this path of growth, connection, and learning ✨

#44 #4

23/04/2025

💬✨Through the Erasmus+ program, I had the amazing opportunity to be part of SpeakUp! in Slovakia 🇸🇰, from April 10th to 20th , surrounded by nature, in a cozy house nestled in the forest.

Together with incredible participants from Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia 🇵🇹 🇷🇴 🇸🇰, we explored the powerful world of communication, from how we present and speak, to the subtle strength of non-verbal language.
Using creative, non-formal education methods, we learned and practiced:

- How to express ourselves with confidence and clarity;
- The impact of body language and tone;
- New ways to actively listen and engage;

Every day was full of fun, interactive activities where we put theory into action,
growing, laughing, and learning as a team.
We got hands-on with everything we learned through engaging activities like:

- Theatre performances;
- Street conversations with locals;
- A TED Talk-style challenge,
- Inspiring group dynamics and personal growth sessions;

This journey reminded me how essential communication is, not just in words, but in presence, intention, and connection.
Grateful to TrailblazersSK for making this possible and for creating such a safe, inspiring space for growth and expression.

✨️I leave with new tools, great memories, a stronger voice and ready to SpeakUp! 🗣️

20/03/2025

🌍✨Through the Erasmus+ program, I had the opportunity to be in Cyprus 🇨🇾 from 05-13 March, diving into the theme of cultural inclusion, a topic that’s more relevant now than ever.
With an amazing group of young people from Portugal, Romania, Egypt, Serbia, Armenia and Cyprus. 🇵🇹 🇷🇴 🇪🇬 🇷🇸 🇦🇲 🇨🇾
We created a shared space to exchange experiences, backgrounds, and even challenge some of the preconceptions we’ve grown up with. It was incredible to see how many prejudices are universal, crossing borders and cultures, but also how breaking these myths can bring us closer together.
Using non-formal education methods, we explored ways to:
- Celebrate diversity and inclusion across cultures;
- Embrace the beauty of cultural differences;
- Promote tolerance and mutual respect;
- Build genuine connections with people from all walks of life;
This experience helped me grow as a person but also showed me how small actions like, listening, sharing, and understanding can truly change the world around us.
It’s these connections that remind me why this work matters so much.✨️
🌍💬 I’m leaving feeling inspired and ready to keep pushing for a world that’s more inclusive and accepting for everyone 💙

18/03/2025