While the overall response to the COVID19 outbreak affected the entire community, certain groups were impacted more than others. These included vulnerable youth groups that had been marginalized before the pandemic due to pre-existing structural barriers and inequities. Some of the decisive measures taken to counter the outbreak, such as physical distancing, self-isolation, and the shutdown of economic activities, saved the lives of millions of people but also created additional hardships and barriers for those who were already marginalized, especially migrants and refugees. Migrants and refugees were particularly at risk of stigmatization and xenophobia and were subject to both formal and informal discrimination as the socio-economic impact of the pandemic was increasingly felt across society. Moreover, the mental health and psychosocial well-being of disadvantaged youth from migrant and refugee backgrounds were greatly compromised since they were usually far from their families and support systems, faced uncertainty about their future, lost livelihood opportunities, faced financial hardship, grieved the loss of loved ones, suffered from the enduring effects of isolation, and lived with a general sense of fear. Research had suggested that the holistic five-dimension method of MIND-BODY-HEART-SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT helped young people recover by digging deep, taking personal responsibility for everything they thought, felt, said, and did, and tapping into powerful inner resources they might not have been aware of. It created a space for the exploration and expression of identities, challenged discrimination and social exclusion, and fostered intercultural dialogue. The 5th dimension, “Environment”, promoted environmentally sustainable and responsible behavior, raising awareness about the importance of green space in benefiting mental health through reduced exposure to air pollution, noise, and stress, as well as through enhanced physical activity, social networks, and social participation. The overall aim of the project was: The three-staged Youth Exchange Project “Individual and Community Renewal for Social Inclusion” aimed to create a platform where young people would experience personal renewal through the MIND-BODY-HEART- SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT approach that led to social inclusion and made them change agents in their local communities, especially among refugees and migrant communities. The project consisted of 3 stages and included 2 Youth Exchange Activities: Stage #1: Youth Exchange A1 in Yerevan, Armenia (21-30 January 2023) 32 young people from 4 countries (Germany, Armenia, Georgia, and Estonia) gathered in Armenia to achieve the following objectives: -Analyzed the current situation and risks that young people faced, particularly young people among refugees/asylum seekers and migrants. -Learned and practiced the holistic method of MIND-BODY-HEART-SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT which led to improved intercultural competencies and integration of young people. -Raised awareness about environmentally sustainable and responsible behavior. -Equipped participants to engage in their communities by establishing Inclusion and Excellence Groups in Stage #2 that would foster dialogue and mutual understanding. -Explored tools and methods that prevented radicalization and fostered harmony and inclusion. -Decided on themes, topics, and methods for the Youth Exchange Activity A2. Stage #2: Participants locally initiated “Inclusion and Excellence Groups”, allowing disadvantaged youth to experience and practice this holistic and inclusive intercultural approach of MIND-BODY-HEART- SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT in local communities. The network of 8 clubs reached 160 disadvantaged youth and prepared the groundwork for Stage #3. Stage #3: Youth Exchange A2 in Yerevan, Armenia (8-17 August 2023). 32 participants reconvened to achieve the following objectives: - Practiced weaving European values of tolerance, pluralism, non-discrimination, justice, solidarity, and democracy into inclusion activities. - Shared good practices from Stage #2 (Inclusion and Excellence Groups) that contributed to the mental health and psychosocial well-being of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. - Equipped participants with knowledge and skills in the field of project management to enable them to develop quality youth projects. - Designed and developed social inclusion projects for young people with fewer opportunities from refugees and migrant backgrounds to be applied under Erasmus+. -Promoted Erasmus+ and explained how young people could get involved in it. - Transferred knowledge and skills through developing and publishing online the booklet “The Full Inclusive Person”. The Youth Exchange was based on non-formal learning methods and principles, self-reflection, intercultural communication, artistic expression (including painting, drama, dance, music, literature, photography), cultural submersion (using the DIVE Model), group discussions etc.