By implementing this project, we established sustainable, inclusive communities by harnessing innovative, technology-driven strategies empowering youth and youth workers to effect lasting, positive transformation. We: Enhanced the digital skills of young people with fewer opportunities by involving them in the co-creation of a gamification platform tailored for Erasmus+, ESC, and other mobility projects. The platform was designed to integrate learning, dissemination, visibility, follow-up, and evaluation, making mobilities more creative, participant-adapted, and organization-friendly by the project's conclusion. Developed the social skills, understanding of EU values, and inclusion of youth and NEETs by engaging them in focus groups and two Blended Mobilities for Young People. This facilitated intercultural exchanges, idea sharing, and empowerment to participate in community-responsive processes and activities. Improved youth competencies in EU project development, aiding them in initiating follow-up projects. Enhanced cross-sectoral collaboration among partners, leading to stronger cooperation within the youth sector.
We applied for this project recognizing the critical need to tackle social exclusion among youth. Our past experiences highlighted that while social inclusion initiatives were successful during implementation, their impact often diminished post-project. NEETs and rural youth face significant barriers to engagement and skill development. To address these, we turned to technology, creating a platform that merged gaming with real-world activities, thus keeping the youth continuously engaged and connected with the Erasmus+ program and their peers. This approach has proven effective in sustaining interest and participation beyond the lifespan of individual projects. Our project actively involved young people in its development, particularly in the design of the platform and participation in blended mobilities, enhancing participants’ digital competencies and understanding of EU programs. We prioritized quality and innovation, promoting cross-sectoral cooperation and providing youth workers and NGOs with tools to enhance their project management and impact assessment capabilities. Our consortium's composition, including NGOs and a digitally-focused university, ensured that our outputs were versatile and applicable across various sectors