The iACT project had 2 objectives. Firstly, to increase the capacities of our two partner institutions for work with diverse groups of young people, especially with youth facing economic obstacles, through international cooperation on the development of joint new activities. Secondly, to empower young people from different economic backgrounds for civic participation on local, national and European level by nurturing their sense of initiative and promoting equality and non-discrimination. We planned to and engaged in exchange of expertise, the enhancement of trainers' skills, and in the empowerment of young people through their direct involvement in the preparation and implementation of activities. We also wanted to help young people build understanding of contemporary issues related to inclusion and diversity and develop confidence to address them, initially, verbally, and later on, through activism.
The motivation for the project has emerged naturally from our two organizations' previous experience with young people. Issues related to belonging, social inclusion, fairness, equality and effective communication have repeatedly resurfaced among all the groups of young people we work with, pointing to a growing difficulty among 18-25 year olds to "fit in," to find their place in society. This is particularly prominent in those who consider themselves different in any way: excluded/discriminated against due to their minority status. A need has emerged to produce a program which would tackle issues related to social exclusion, discrimination, inequality and lack of channels for civic activism and democratic participation. In our work, our trainers have also identified a tendency to reach young people mostly from the capital cities and from middle class families. Such young people are not immune to social exclusion and challenges, however, they often have more in common with similar status young people in other EU countries than with immigrants and NEET in their own country. We felt the need to place diverse groups of young people under the same roof and to create a safe environment for discussing contemporary social challenges.