With the implementation of the "Access" project, we aimed to promote the participation, engagement, and empowerment of disadvantaged young people who were often unreachable through traditional youth policy measures. Our goal was to create educational and participatory opportunities tailored to the needs of these young individuals and reflective of their living realities. A particular focus was placed on strengthening inclusion and sustainability, as well as integrating digital approaches into youth work. Supported by the EU Youth Strategy, especially its goals of participation, encounter, and empowerment, the project sought to improve and make youth work more effective in the long term. Additionally, the initiative aimed to strengthen social cohesion and develop new intervention models that are specifically tailored to disadvantaged youth and transferable to broader contexts.
The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly affected young people, leading to disorientation, fear for the future, loss of trust, and increasing loneliness. Social cohesion suffered, giving rise to frustration and disengagement, while digital media often replaced personal communication, with little attention paid to the accuracy of online information. Disadvantaged youth were hit hardest, as their needs were overlooked by traditional youth services that failed to consider their realities. To address these issues, the project focused on empowering this vulnerable group by creating accessible social spaces tailored to their needs. Collaborative efforts among project partners resulted in impactful education and participation opportunities, emphasizing sustainability, digitalization, and social integration. Guided by the EU Youth Strategy’s pillars of encounter, empowerment, and participation, "Access" aimed to transform youth work and ensure lasting engagement for disadvantaged young people.