A Path Toward Healing – My Journey to Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
My name is Eleonora, and I come from a background rooted in social work, humanitarian response, and mental health support. Over the years, I have worked with a wide range of organizations—local NGOs, UN agencies, and international partners—supporting vulnerable groups such as refugees, women, and youth. Much of my work has been focused on psychosocial support, trauma healing, cultural mediation, and community-based care.
Through these experiences, I developed a strong understanding of how trauma, displacement, and social exclusion affect people—not only physically and economically, but also emotionally and spiritually. I have provided psychological first aid (PFA), led trainings on trauma-informed care, and worked closely with interpreters, mediators, and frontline workers to support those experiencing crisis. I’ve also coordinated projects related to gender-based violence, youth empowerment, and refugee protection in countries like Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Turkey, Iraq, mainly Africa, Middle East and Europe.
But beyond the professional experience, I have always carried a deep personal interest in holistic healing—an approach that combines body, mind, and spirit. Over time, I became more and more convinced that standard mental health services are not enough. Many people, especially those from culturally diverse or marginalized backgrounds, need safe spaces where healing can take many forms: through conversation, movement, creativity, silence, and connection. That’s why I’ve begun developing the idea of opening a holistic center for therapy and arts—a space where psychological support, art therapy, movement practices, and cultural expression can come together.
What led me to apply for the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme is a combination of curiosity, long-standing aspirations, and a desire to consolidate my entrepreneurial vision. I have always valued intercultural exchange and transnational collaboration, and this programme represents a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a dynamic learning environment abroad. The idea was also encouraged by colleagues who had previously participated in Erasmus and returned with renewed energy, knowledge, and networks. Their stories resonated with my own aspirations to co-develop meaningful, sustainable solutions in partnership with other European actors.
More than a professional step, this experience is part of my personal evolution. I see it as a chance to solidify my entrepreneurial identity, learn from an experienced mentor, and acquire practical insights into social enterprise management. I am especially interested in exploring innovative models of social entrepreneurship that bridge humanitarian action with long-term resilience, and that involve both public and private sectors in inclusive ways.
I want to gain real, hands-on experience in how to structure and run such a holistic center—not only as a place for healing, but also as a sustainable and inclusive social enterprise. I’m eager to learn from experienced entrepreneurs who share similar values around mental health, well-being, and community empowerment. I also hope to explore creative and not only clinical approaches to care—like art, dance, bodywork, storytelling, and group therapy—within a professional and ethical framework.
I believe that Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs will greatly enhance both my human and professional growth. On a human level, it will expose me to new ways of thinking and problem-solving, while also strengthening my intercultural dialogue skills and capacity for empathy. Professionally, it will provide me with tools to structure and scale up my ideas, expand my network of international collaborators, and develop a clearer roadmap for the initiatives I envision. It will help me develop the business side of my vision—how to manage a center, build a sustainable model, and collaborate across sectors and borders .On a personal level, it will allow me to connect with others who believe in the power of healing through community, creativity, and care.
In a world that is often fragmented and stressful, I believe we need more places where people can reconnect—with themselves, with others, and with their sense of purpose. Through Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, I hope to take the next step toward creating one of those places.
Landing at EYE: First Steps in Espacio Lume
The first 15 days of my EYE experience have been a whirlwind of emotions, discoveries, and inspiration. After a month of preparation and anticipation, finally arriving in Gran Canaria felt like crossing a threshold—not just physically, but personally and professionally. I was excited, a little nervous, but above all, curious about what this new chapter would bring.
I was warmly welcomed by Laura Iballa, founder of Espacio Lume, a creative and therapeutic project rooted in art, care, and community. From the very beginning, Laura made me feel part of her vision and her daily practice. Her space is not just a physical one—it’s a living, breathing energy where people, ideas, and emotions come together.
Rather than easing into things slowly, I was immediately immersed in ongoing projects. One of our first activities took place in Jinámar, a suburb of Las Palmas. In collaboration with the Plan Integral de Jinámar, Espacio Lume conducted two art workshops (talleres de arte) at a municipal center for children and youth.
The first workshop was for children aged 5 to 13 and focused on sculpture inspired by the artist Alexander Calder. Through playful explanation and simple games, we introduced Calder’s concept of equilibrium—how he combined lightness and heaviness in his sculptures, balancing structure with movement. The children were invited to build their own creations, exploring the balance between flexibility and stability, learning patience and observation through the process. At the end, each child described and imagined the meaning behind their classmates’ sculptures—guessing their dreams, ideas, and feelings. It was a beautiful moment of empathy and creativity, where art became a bridge between imagination and connection.
The second workshop, designed for a group of adolescents with cognitive and physical dis-abilities that we prefer to define different abilities, used the techniques of fanzine creation, painting, and playful drawing exercises. We explored identity through imaginative questions like “Si fueras un animal, un juego,un trabajo, un sonido… ¿qué serías?” The answers gave life to surprising and poetic creations. Their artwork was bursting with color, joy, emotion—and above all, freedom. It was incredible to see how, through art, each participant found a voice to express feelings that words might not easily reach.
The second project we worked on took us to Gáldar, a small, culturally rich municipality in the north of the island. There, Espacio Lume collaborated with the association “Ocho Pies”— in a beautiful initiative working on art, culture, play, and education for early childhood and families. The location? The stunning Museo de Gáldar, which turned into a vibrant, joyful space for kids and parents alike.
We participated in several activities: from storytelling sessions and textile arts to interactive workshops like “El Atelier de Verano” and “Entre Cuentos y Juego”. These were not just events; they were powerful encounters between generations, where children explored freely and parents rediscovered the magic of creativity alongside them.
Being part of these early moments has already taught me so much. I came here with the idea of building a holistic center for therapy and arts, and what I’ve experienced in just two weeks has confirmed that vision. Laura’s work is a living example of how art and care can be embedded in the everyday life of communities—something I hope to carry with me and develop in my own path.
More than anything, I’m grateful. Grateful to have landed in a space that feels aligned with my values. Grateful for the opportunity to learn not only how to build a project—but how to feel it, shape it with care, and keep it grounded in human connection.