While the overall response to the COVID-19 outbreak affected the entire community, certain groups were impacted more than others. These included vulnerable youth groups marginalized before the pandemic by pre-existing structural barriers and inequities. Decisive measures to counter the outbreak, such as physical distancing, self-isolation, and the shutdown of economic activities, saved the lives of millions but simultaneously created additional hardships for those already left behind, especially migrants and refugees. Migrants and refugees were particularly at risk of stigmatization and xenophobia, subject to both formal and informal discrimination as the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic were increasingly felt across society. Moreover, the mental health and psychosocial well-being of disadvantaged youth from migrant and refugee backgrounds were greatly compromised. Being far from their families and support systems, they faced uncertainty about their future, loss of livelihood opportunities, financial hardship, loss of loved ones, enduring effects of isolation, and a general sense of fear. Research suggested that the holistic five-dimension method of MIND-BODY-HEART-SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT helped young people recover by encouraging them to take personal responsibility for everything they thought, felt, said, and did, tapping into powerful inner resources they might not have known they possessed. This approach created a space for exploration and expression of identities, challenging discrimination and social exclusion, and fostering intercultural dialogue. The fifth dimension, "Environment," promoted environmentally sustainable and responsible behavior, raising awareness about the importance of green spaces 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, the three-staged Youth Exchange Project "Personal Wholeness for Social Inclusion," was to create a platform where young people could experience personal renewal through the MIND-BODY-HEART-SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT approach that led to social inclusion and turned them into change agents in their local communities, particularly among refugee and migrant communities. The project consisted of three stages and encompassed two Youth Exchange Activities: Stage #1: Youth Exchange A1 in Yerevan, Armenia (15-24 July 2023), where 32 young people from four countries (France, Armenia, Georgia, and Estonia) gathered in Armenia to reach several objectives: - Analyze the current situation and risks facing young people today, particularly those among refugees/asylum seekers and migrants. - Learn and practice the holistic method of MIND-BODY-HEART-SPIRIT-ENVIRONMENT, which will lead to improved intercultural competencies and integration of young people. - Raise awareness about environmentally sustainable and responsible behavior. - Equip participants to engage in their communities by establishing Inclusion and Excellence Groups in Stage #2 that will foster dialogue and mutual understanding. - Explore tools and methods that prevent radicalization and foster harmony and inclusion. - Decide 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 eight clubs reached 160 disadvantaged youth and prepared the ground for Stage #3. Stage #3: Youth Exchange A2 in Chaumontel, France (2-9 January 2024). 32 participants convened back this time in France to reach several objectives: - Practice weaving European values of tolerance, pluralism, non-discrimination, justice, solidarity, and democracy into inclusion activities. - Share good practices from Stage #2 (Inclusion and Excellence Groups) in contributing to the mental health and psychosocial well-being of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. - Equip participants with knowledge and skills in the field of project management in order to enable them to develop quality youth projects. - Design and develop social inclusion projects for young people with fewer opportunities from refugees and migrants backgrounds to be applied under Erasmus+. - Promote Erasmus+ and explain how young people can be involved in it. - Transfer 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, interactive presentations, and participant-led workshops.