What happens when young people from diverse backgrounds come together not to compete, but to listen, create, and express themselves through music? Le LABA’s ongoing involvement in two European cooperation projects—MY PEACE and Music In You—provides some powerful answers.
Both projects use collective musical practice as a catalyst for inclusion, expression and civic engagement.
Part of an international consortium active in Ukraine, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, Denmark and France, MY PEACE – Music of Youth explores music as a vehicle for intercultural dialogue and peacebuilding. The project creates safe spaces for young people to reflect on the concept of peace, share personal stories, and transform them into musical performances.
In Bordeaux, Le LABA partnered with Musique de Nuit to host a two-day workshop at the Rocher de Palmer. Led by poet Souleymane Diamanka and musician Ophélia Hié, the workshop encouraged participants to write original lyrics on the theme of peace, explore traditional African instruments like the balafon, and collaborate on a group performance that blended spoken word with live music.
Far from being a purely artistic exercise, the workshop gave participants the opportunity to strengthen key transversal skills: collaboration, self-confidence, listening, constructive feedback, and expression of complex emotions. These experiences were formally recognised through the Youthpass certificate, underlining the project’s contribution to non-formal education within the Erasmus+ programme
If MY PEACE explores the transformative power of music in short, intensive workshops, Music In You takes a longer-term approach. Running in Germany, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Spain and France, the project brings together young people in monthly sessions to develop creative and social skills through music.
In France, Le LABA supports the music school Dr Larsène in coordinating a local group composed of six young women aged 17 to 25. Many of them had no prior musical training, and all were navigating uncertain transitions in their educational or professional paths. The non-mixed group format was chosen deliberately, allowing participants to build confidence and explore personal expression in a safe, supportive environment.
Each week, they engage in exploratory sessions where they choose instruments freely—drums, piano, guitar, vocals—and co-create melodies without a fixed curriculum. The focus is not on technical mastery, but on harmony, mutual listening and co-construction. Occasional writing sessions led by author Eduardo Berti give the group space to reflect on their experiences and articulate their journey through words as well as music.
Looking ahead, the French group will travel to Madrid in September 2025 to meet other participants from the partner countries. The final artistic residency will culminate in a public performance at the Coslada Festival, showcasing the collective achievements and musical diversity of the project
Whether in the format of a two-day intensive workshop or a year-long local residency, both projects demonstrate the capacity of music to reveal and develop the potential of young people. Musical practice becomes a field of exploration where participants not only create sounds, but also find their voice, connect with others, and engage in wider social conversations.