Amid all the crises the world is witnessing nowadays, from the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and its economic repercussions to climate change to the surge of ultra-nationalism, we believe there is a pressing need to provide our communities with constructive, problem-solving-oriented, and forward-looking spaces for dialogue. The intersectionality of these crises requires a comprehensive approach to formulate future solutions that are diverse and not locally restricted. These solutions should consider the impact of global dimensions and dynamics on our localities. Thus, civic participation in all decision-making processes, joined by grassroots-informed actions, with national and international dynamics considered, is crucial in promoting the momentum for youth to search for solutions capable of tackling today’s challenges. In Europe, particularly, youth feel marginalized due to the exclusionary spaces and polarization of public discourse. That’s why grassroots-informed actions, coupled with developing inclusive spaces for youth empowerment and further engagement in decision-making processes, are essential for challenging the status quo. Change agents are those who will take the lead in Europe or anywhere around the world, committed to pluralism, inclusiveness, and public service. Therefore, developing spaces that bring together change agents from different countries and backgrounds and provide them with the necessary tools to navigate uncertainty and complexity is crucial to move forward. The International Retreat project (IR project) was a week-long intensive strategic leadership capacity-building program to enhance the capacities and resilience of young change agents concerned with regional challenges. The project’s objective was to increase their leadership skills and abilities as change catalysts within their societies and empower them with a global outlook and a methodical approach to complex problem-solving. Such skills are necessary, we believe, especially with the increasing polarization and uncertainty. The IR project aimed to equip participants with critical skills through hands-on workshops, lectures, various group activities, and training. The targeted skills included core interpersonal skills, strategy-focused leadership in uncertain times, strategic planning, visioning, and diplomatic skills such as facilitation, negotiation, and motivation. Since the project was designed to bring the youth and decision-makers together, it addressed the EU Youth Dialogue, a dialogue mechanism between young people and decision-makers, according to the framework of the EU Youth Strategy. The project aimed to ensure that the activities promote social inclusion and equal opportunities, in particular for the participation of young people. Since young people all over Europe have ideas, hopes, and concerns about their future, it is essential to create a space where youth brainstorm how things can change for their future. Based on this approach and understanding, and following the EU youth Dialogue strategy (Connecting EU with Youth, Equality of All Genders, Inclusive Societies, Information & Constructive Dialogue), the outcomes of the project were the following items: - Established a connection between the youth both at European and regional levels; - Enhanced the awareness and consciousness regarding the equality of all genders among the youth; - Provided best cases of how inclusive societies need to be and the role of youth in building inclusive societies; - Taught the mechanisms and methods of Information & Constructive Dialogue The project was approached and fulfilled through the designed programs, sessions, and meetings that took place online, starting with Al Sharq Forum Fellowship activities. The project continued even after the activities through online channels. The Erasmus+ for Youth Participation Activities allowed young people to engage with and learn to participate in civic society. It also supported young people’s engagement in democratic life, aimed to raise their awareness about common European values and fundamental rights, and contributed to the European integration process, inter alia, by contributing to the achievement of one or more of the EU Youth Goals. Considering these priorities, the project objectives were aligned with the priorities and expectations of mobility of youth participation priorities and the Erasmus program by targeted the following objectives: - Equipped young people with skills to increase their resilience in their lives; - Brought together young people and decision-makers at local, regional, national, and transnational levels and/or contributed to the EU Youth Dialogue; - Promoted democratic values and raised awareness and consciousness of European values. We also used the innovative methods of learning that are highly recommended by Erasmus+ and European Youth Strategy guidelines to make sure that included methods, materials, and tools are transferable and used