Storytelling Through Space: Finding Meaning and Voice Exactly Where We Are
The digital spaces we use every day are never entirely separate from our physical surroundings. We join online meetings from bedrooms, offices, classrooms and shared spaces; we scroll through comment sections, record short videos and communicate across time zones. Yet behind every screen is a real person, shaped by a real environment, perspective, and story.
This was the starting point for “Storytelling Through Space – Using Your Location as Your Ideal Participatory Video Background” – Spain edition, the first workshop in the Spain edition of the HATE-LESS Train the Trainer series, delivered by Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL.
Bringing together educators and youth workers online, the workshop explored how the spaces around us can become meaningful backdrops for positive change. Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, participants were invited to step into their own creative journeys: noticing where they were, reflecting on what those spaces represented and using simple digital tools to share a message that matters.
From Space to Awareness
The workshop began with interactive Mentimeter activities, encouraging participants to reflect on the physical and online spaces from which they were joining. Together, the group explored how location can communicate atmosphere, identity, belonging, and shared human values.
A calming guided visualisation then invited participants to pause, breathe and arrive fully in the shared online space. They were encouraged to notice their screen, lighting, surrounding objects, sounds, and the overall feeling of the space around them. This simple exercise showed that before telling a story, it can be powerful to first notice the frame in which that story takes place.
From Awareness to Action: The Space-to-Story Sprint
Participants then moved from reflection to creation through a practical video sprint using the “4L” framework:
- Location: Where do you find yourself?
- Love: What do you value or appreciate about this space?
- Lens: What meaning does this space hold for you?
- Light: How can this value bring more light into online or offline spaces?
Using only the locations and tools already available to them, participants created short participatory videos rooted in one space, one shared value, and one constructive message. The activity demonstrated that meaningful communication does not require professional equipment or a perfect setting. A phone, a familiar environment, and an authentic perspective can already be enough to create a connection.
The Hummingbird Moment: Doing What We Can
A central moment of the workshop was inspired by the story of the little hummingbird who carries drops of water to a forest fire while the other animals watch.
The hummingbird may not be able to put out the fire alone, but it chooses to do what it can. Its small action matters, and it can encourage others to act too.
This message resonated strongly with the HATE-LESS approach. When harmful narratives, online hostility or divisive content feel overwhelming, it can be easy to assume that one individual voice will not make a difference. Yet each respectful comment, inclusive message, thoughtful video, or act of empathy can contribute to a more positive digital culture.
The Shared Message of Our Participatory Video
To wrap up this workshop, the individual clips captured during the video sprint were woven together into a single, cohesive participatory video message. This collaborative artwork stands as a beautiful testament to our shared humanity:
“Today I’m joining from the HATE-LESS ‘Train the Trainer’ session. I find myself in a virtual space at this moment… in the comment section. A place where words can either heal or hurt. What I love most is that I built this space little by little. For me, this space represents diversity to meet and interact with others. Behind every screen, there is a real person. For me, this represents our shared humanity. An opportunity to create change together in the world. It helped me understand that we have so much more in common than divides us. More love, less hate!”
🎬 Watch the participatory video:
https://youtube.com/shorts/FR3msfOgaQI
Building Inclusive Online Communities
“Storytelling Through Space” was the first of four HATE-LESS Train the Trainer workshops delivered by Evolutionary Archetypes Consulting SL for participants in Spain between May and June 2026.
Together, the four sessions equipped youth workers with non-formal and creative media tools that can help nurture more inclusive, respectful and constructive online communities. By using participatory storytelling, reflection and accessible video-making methods, participants explored practical ways to support young people in recognising the value of their own voices and perspectives.
No matter whether we join from a quiet room, a busy workplace or a digital feed, our location has meaning, our voice holds power and our perspective matters.
More love, less hate.
Funding Agency: JUGEND für Europa
Learn more about HATE-LESS: https://hate-less.eu
Project: 2024-1-DE04-KA220-YOU-000244181
Disclaimer: Co-financed by the European Union. The opinions and points of view expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or of the JUGEND für Europa (German National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth, Erasmus+ Sport and the European Solidarity Corps).
