Music as a Tool for Participation and Social Inclusion: Live Room Hosts International Training in Tangier
From 24 to 31 March 2026, Tangier will host an international training course dedicated to exploring music as a tool for active participation, social inclusion, and youth empowerment. Titled MAPS | PDA – Music for Active Participation & Social Inclusion, the initiative is co-organized by Live Room (Tangier, Morocco) and Link Association (Altamura, Italy) and financed by the EU Erasmus+ program.
The training brings together youth workers from different countries who are interested in integrating music and artistic practices into non-formal education and community-based youth work. Building on the shared experience of both organizations, the project aims to strengthen practical skills while encouraging intercultural exchange and peer learning.
Music as a Collective Educational Practice
MAPS | PDA approaches music not as a performance-centered discipline, but as a collective and participatory language. Throughout the week, participants will explore circular and inclusive methodologies such as drum circles using recycled instruments, rhythm with signs, circle singing, sound painting, and sound mapping.
These approaches focus on listening, cooperation, and group dynamics, making them particularly relevant for youth workers engaging with diverse groups, including young people with fewer opportunities. The program also includes case studies and collective reflections on international practices where music has been used as a tool for social inclusion and active participation.
Participants will work in groups to experiment with the methodologies acquired and to co-create a final collective event, allowing them to translate theory into practice and adapt the tools to their own local contexts.
A Mediterranean Partnership Rooted in Practice
The project is developed within Link Association’s MedEu strategy, which aims to strengthen cooperation between European and Mediterranean civil society organizations, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East. Within this framework, Live Room plays a central role as host and co-organizer, contributing its long-standing experience in youth work, music, audiovisual creation, and community-based cultural action in Tangier.
Learning Environment and Local Context
Participants will be hosted in a youth center located in Tangier’s old Medina, offering a safe and central environment adapted for training, group work, and informal exchange. The program also includes opportunities to explore the local context, including a visit to Tetwan and the region of Chaouen, linking the learning experience to place, culture, and community.
Investing in Youth Workers
The training is open to youth workers aged 18 and over who are interested in exploring music-based methodologies for education and social inclusion. No prior musical background is required; curiosity, openness, and motivation are the core prerequisites. 22 participants will be selected including 2 from Italy and 2 from Morocco.
By equipping participants with adaptable tools and participatory approaches, MAPS | PDA aims to generate lasting impact, supporting youth workers in creating more inclusive, creative, and engaging spaces for young people in their communities.
By Omar Mok’s