Fairy Tales for Equality: Young People Challenge Gender Stereotypes Through Storytelling

The Erasmus+ KA152 Youth Exchange project "We Want Equal Tales!" (Project No: 2025-1-ES02-KA152-YOU-000297374), coordinated by Asociación LEGO, will take place in Seville, Spain, from 1–7 October 2025. Bringing together young participants from Spain, Türkiye, Hungary, Ukraine, and Romania, the project aims to challenge gender stereotypes embedded in traditional fairy tales and encourage the creation of more inclusive and gender-equal narratives.

Fairy tales have long played a significant role in shaping children's understanding of gender roles and social expectations. Through this project, participants will critically examine how traditional stories portray female and male characters, raise awareness of gender inequality and stereotypes, and develop the skills needed to question and transform these long-established narratives.

Throughout the youth exchange, participants will analyze fairy tales from different cultures, explore how gender is represented across various traditions, and discuss the impact these stories have on society. Through creative writing workshops, storytelling activities, role-playing sessions, intercultural exchanges, and expert discussions, young people will rewrite classic fairy tales or create entirely new stories that reflect the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

The project brings together Asociación LEGO (Spain), Vezirköprü Cumhuriyet Ortaokulu (Türkiye), Changemakers SZE (Hungary), Youth Voice (Ukraine), and Grupul Tomorrow Hub (Romania). By working collaboratively in an international environment, participants will exchange perspectives, strengthen intercultural dialogue, and promote shared European values of equality, respect, and social inclusion.

As a lasting outcome, the project aims to produce a collection of inclusive fairy tales that can serve as educational resources for schools, families, youth organizations, and local communities. By encouraging young people to rethink traditional narratives, "We Want Equal Tales!" seeks to inspire future generations to embrace gender equality, diversity, and mutual respect through the power of storytelling.