Objectives of the project: - Promote and strengthen diversity education - Breaking down interpersonal obstacles in the inclusive and intercultural - Promotion of local and international youth work using informal education methods and thus strengthening the EU youth strategy - Development of attractive leisure facilities that respect equality of opportunities, for people with migration/flight background and handicapped people JOINT MOVEMENTS The increasing heterogeneity in society and the linked constructions of social, gender, ethnic, religious, body and cognitive differences make it necessary to have a dialogue with youth about "diversity". Prejudices often harden in adolescence, when young people construct their own identity, and they may lead to conflicts. Awareness raising on diversity and anti-discrimination is still inadequate in many societal areas such as institutes of formal education (schools). It is necessary that non-formal programmes support the promotion of diversity.If we all stay where we are, we cannot experience improvement nor change perspectives. We need to get moving together so that we can achieve social cohesion, understand each other’s backgrounds and promote social justice. With the motto MOVING TOGETHER, this project is designed to support youth in identifying where they come from, where they currently stand and where they are going. Youth of diverse backgrounds are invited to co-create a discussion around how to move forward in a fair and just way. The project actively supports the European Youth Strategy by engaging youth in promoting the social, societal, cultural and political elements of the European Union. Throughout the programme the participants will be encouraged to participate in dialogues around civic engagement. The encounters and cross-border mobility will reduce the challenges of moving across borders and strengthen the recognition of intercultural competences. Working together on European level, will improve the recognition of youth work in Europe and support the agenda of social development. APPRECIATING DIVERSITY The project idea was born according to the observation that youth of different backgrounds, environments and abilities rarely touch base or live common experiences together, which would be indeed needed in living towards an equal, open and inclusive Europe. ‘Moving Together’ reaches especially marginalised young people, promoting cultural diversity, intercultural and religious dialogue, developing common values of freedom, tolerance and respect for human rights. Diversity is the core value of this project that will be experienced through living together, sharing each other’s stories and multiplying the learnings at home and in public. Youth with and without disability as well as young refugees will participate inclusively. Many youth of this target group don’t usually get the opportunity to have a holiday or an inspiring week away with like-minded people. The youth exchanges may provide the chance to build new friendships and give an alternative space for recreation.European Member States have been facing challenges and problems due to omnipresent and growing diversity, especially with respect to culture, ethnicity and religion. Recent elections in different European countries show that populist and even right-wing parties have been elected by more citizens than ever before. Often, migrant groups are experiencing feelings of alienation and lack of belonging, which may lead to social unrest, separation, extremism and/or various types of violence. Although youth have great potential to prevent and combat discrimination at an early stage, they often lack the right networks and support. Schools often don't have the capacity to deal with the topic of violence and discrimination and cover another social environment anyways. SUPPORT YOUTH WORKERS Youth workers play an important role in uplifting and giving impulses for development of youth. However, one has to state that despite the fact that multiculturalism is normal in many European societies, the qualification of youth work to deal with a multicultural setting still needs to be optimised. Youth workers grew up in different ways and bring in experiences. They constantly need to be upfront with current developments of the new generation and know about trends and challenges youth are dealing with. Many youth workers work with a high percentage of migrant and refugee youth and are challenged to foster non-violent conflict resolution and empowerment of youth in a potentially disadvantaged environment. The proposed project is targeting a non-formal way of empowering youth to become strong citizens actively raising their voice for a diverse and just society. This project fully acknowledges that non-formal education plays a major role in promoting inclusion, democracy and ownership of Europe’s fundamental values in order to help youth to become responsible, open minded members of society.