Discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGIE) has no place in our society, but for many people in Europe, it is a daily reality. The European Commission is standing against discrimination, prejudice, and hate. The 2019 Eurobarometer on discrimination shows that over 50% of EU citizens see discrimination based on SOGIE as widespread. According to a recent study by the European Fundamental Rights Agency, two-thirds of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex (LGBTI) people, conceal their sexual orientation or gender identity. In its publication, ‘Equal opportunities for all children: Non-discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender and intersex (LGBTI) children and young people’, the Council of Europe (2016) states that “Around the world, children and young people who are LGBTI, or seen as such, still face stigma, discrimination and violence because of their perceived or actual sexual orientation and gender identity, or because their bodies differ from typical definitions of female or male.” Even conservative estimates suggest around 8-10% of the population is LGBTI+ and we know that more and more young people are identifying beyond the gender binary every day. OUT of the margins was a youth exchange for young people with fewer opportunities – young people who identify as LGBTIQ+ and have lived experience of the aforementioned stigma, discrimination, and violence, and have experienced marginalisation in their own communities. The overall aim of the project was to develop social inclusion and build a sense of solidarity amongst young people and increase the self-empowerment and self-esteem of young people, in line with the specific objectives of the Erasmus+ programme. The project objectives were: -To explore SOGIE identities from different perspectives, including the national realities that participants bring. -To look specifically at the experiences of LGBTIQ+ young people, and consider a range of different approaches and actions to create resilience and increase inclusion. -To use non-formal learning activities to empower participants -To consider practices in challenging hate speech amongst young people, building solidarity in dealing with prejudices and countering discrimination. -To explore a range of activities including peer learning to improve self-esteem and support positive wellbeing -To offer a space for inquiry and personal growth of participants -To raise awareness and acceptance of LGBTIQ+ people across the European Union -To reach citizens, foster diversity and non-discrimination -To use Erasmus+ programme as a tool to carry out projects that promote LGBTIQ+ Rights, Human Rights and equality. In addition we wanted to achieve: -Collaboration between project participants and the local community where the youth exchange will take place -An increase in the number of organisations and young people who benefit from the Erasmus+ programme through involving many first timers -Raising awareness of the Erasmus+ programme and all the benefits it brings The youth exchange took place in two main locations: Auchengillan Outdoor Centre in Blanefield, and Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre in Largs on the west coast of Scotland. We chose the second location specifically to join a larger wellbeing weekend event happening in Largs towards the end of the exchange called Pride Youth Games. This gave young people on the exchange the opportunity to meet with local young people, to deliver information about the exchange, and to participate in some other organised wellbeing and sports activities. The event also included a ceilidh (Scottish dancing) with some local young people whom were invited, which offered a good opportunity for intercultural additionality and dissemination. This project particularly targeted young people who had not taken part in an international mobility project (including Erasmus+) before and we specified a minimum of 60% (3 young people) of each group should not have been involved in a youth exchange before. The project was directly relevant to 7 of the 11 Youth Goals (http://www.youthgoals.eu/) but most strongly connected to #3 Inclusive Societies "Ensure that all marginalised young people have equal access to formal and non-formal learning environments, addressing all the dimensions of inclusion." and #5 Mental Health & Wellbeing "Encourage the development of self-awareness and less competitive mindsets by fostering appreciation for individual skills and strengths".