Investing in the development of leadership skills among youth in Europe and neighboring countries is of paramount importance. These young individuals represent the future of our societies, and by empowering them with effective leadership abilities, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders who will shape our world. Youth organizations and the European Commission should support this idea because it not only fosters personal growth and career advancement for young people but also contributes to social cohesion, economic development, and political stability in the region. Empowered youth leaders bring fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and a commitment to positive change, which is essential for addressing the complex challenges our societies face today. By investing in youth leadership development, we are investing in a brighter and more prosperous future for Europe and its neighboring nations, with benefits that extend far beyond the individual level. Covid-19 pandemic reflected the crucial need of resilient youth with strong leadership skills. Youth have always played key roles in moments of crisis –during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, for example, youth acted as communicators, contact tracers, health workers, community organizers and caregivers. Millions of youth climate activists have taken to the streets and social media to demand world leaders take action to stop climate change. The young people are already on the ground leading coronavirus response in communities across the globe. But the most important is the post pandemic world that will be needed goal oriented, strong, and skillful youth that will be able to take actions and support their local societies. Find efficient solutions from economic crisis and mental/social challenges caused by COV-19. To this end, CYN believes that a youth-inclusive Covid-19 response and recovery should include three essential components: - Recognize, engage and include young people as leaders and equal partners, protecting their human rights and basic freedoms. - Ensure a just and sustainable recovery that invests in education that is inclusive and accessible. - Support young people’s leadership and active participation in decision making and incentivize youth-led action. Forming close relationships with youth from different cultures could boost young leaders’ active and responsible citizenship, as their creativity, and motivation to be change-makers. The multiactivity project Leadership for New Era was implemented in two countries - the first TC was organised in Georgia and the second in Denmark. The project idea was created after breainstorming with our long-term partners. Project objectives: - To provide youth leaders and current/potential board members from across Europe with the skills, knowledge and tools to become effective leaders of their organisations - to enrich participants’ work and make them competitive on a job market - To promote young people’s active participation in decision making process - To support our member organisations through capacity-building and explore together how to lead youth organisations - To enhance the multicultural approach as well as tolerance and solidarity of participant through providing learning space for young people from countries that are different from one another - To provide youth leaders and current/potential board members with a European perspective on youth work - To provide space for young leaders to talk and share good practices on how to deal with the current EU critical situation after the pandemic - To learn about digital leadership - leading team in digital environment Incorporating neighboring non-EU countries into ERASMUS PLUS projects, such as our two-phase leadership training course spanning Georgia and Denmark, holds significant value for several compelling reasons. Firstly, it fosters cross-cultural understanding and cooperation, breaking down barriers and promoting peaceful relations in a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected. Secondly, it extends the reach of the European Commission's initiatives, enabling knowledge and expertise exchange across borders. This, in turn, enriches the overall quality of the projects and diversifies perspectives, making them more comprehensive and globally relevant. Moreover, involving neighboring non-EU countries enhances the European Union's soft power, demonstrating its commitment to fostering global cooperation and contributing to sustainable development. Lastly, it fuels people-to-people communication and networking, facilitating the exchange of best practices, ideas, and innovative solutions, ultimately advancing the collective pursuit of knowledge and progress on a global scale. By including neighboring nations, we not only expand the impact of ERASMUS PLUS projects but also contribute to a more interconnected and harmonious world.