Youth Empowerment & Equality in Society
Our project, under the auspices of Erasmus+, focused on dismantling gender stereotypes and fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding. We aimed to empower young individuals from diverse backgrounds by providing them with the tools and knowledge to challenge societal norms and advocate for equality.
It took place in Hotel Preslav, Golden Sands, Varna, Bulgaria from 2–8 September 2025 (2 and 8 September were travel days). There were 27 participants aged 18–35, coming from Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Hungary, the Republic of North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, and Greece.
The heart of our project was our participants – dynamic youth workers and non-formal educators, alongside experienced group leaders. Emphasising gender balance, we ensured an equal representation of all genders. Our selection process, based on motivation, potential, and eagerness to learn, prioritised inclusivity, especially for those from fewer opportunities and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
- Golden Sands, Varna, Bulgaria
- From 2 Sep 2025
- To 8 Sept 2025
our Event our Event
What we have done
Innovative Activities and Methods
Within YEES, we delivered a hands-on training programme for youth workers, combining interactive workshops, peer-to-peer learning, debates, and experiential activities. Participants explored gender equality, empowerment, inclusion, and safe-space building through practical tools, group challenges, creative expression (art-based methods), and structured discussions. The methods were participatory and learner-centred, ensuring active involvement, shared responsibility, and real application to youth work practice.
Promoting Reflection and Professional Growth
Each day ended with guided reflection and debriefing sessions, where participants reviewed learning outcomes, processed experiences, and provided feedback to the trainers. This continuous reflection strengthened learning retention and supported the development of key competences such as facilitation, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and confidence in working with diverse groups—especially when addressing sensitive topics.
Long-Term Impact and Community Involvement
YEES went beyond the mobility itself by strengthening an international network of organisations committed to more inclusive youth work. Participants left with concrete follow-up ideas developed during the Project Lab and a clearer plan for applying gender-inclusive approaches in future initiatives. Through dissemination activities (online posts, testimonials, and local sharing), the project’s messages and methods reached wider audiences and contributed to raising awareness on equality and empowerment in local communities.
Visibility and Promotion of Erasmus+
Within YEES, we actively promoted the Erasmus+ programme and ensured its visibility throughout the entire project cycle. We communicated the project’s goals, activities, and results through social media posts, stories, reels, partner channels, and participant testimonials, consistently acknowledging Erasmus+ support. By sharing real learning moments and outcomes, we highlighted the value of international youth work mobilities and encouraged other youth workers to explore Erasmus+ opportunities. The Youthpass certificates further strengthened visibility by providing formal recognition of participants’ learning and showcasing Erasmus+ as a pathway for professional development.
Conclusion
Our YEES journey with Erasmus+ was a meaningful process of learning, cooperation, and lasting impact. We strengthened youth workers’ capacity to create safer, more inclusive environments and to address gender stereotypes through empowerment-based approaches. The project deepened partnerships across countries and generated follow-up ideas that continue to influence local youth work practice. We are continuing to build on these results through future Erasmus+ cooperation, expanding our network and advancing equality, inclusion, and youth empowerment in our communities.
Emoji Skills Emoji Skills
How participants evaluate the project?
At the end of the cource we make anonimus evaluation. We are happy to get those results.
