The "NGO Forge 2.0" project aimed to increase the social and civic engagement of young people by providing them with the tools, knowledge and support to implement community initiatives. We also wanted to strengthen the competence of youth workers by providing them with reliable information about the needs of young people. Another goal was to increase decision-makers' awareness of young people's needs so that they can better support their activities. The creation of the Changemakers platform was to provide young people with inspiration and practical tools to implement social projects. We also conducted research to better understand the needs, expectations and situation of young activists. We were also keen to promote international cooperation, exchange knowledge and experience, and strengthen the effectiveness of our activities.
We decided to implement the "NGO Forge 2.0" project in response to the current needs of young people and youth workers in Poland, Greece and Bulgaria, which resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic made it difficult for young people to engage in social activities, affecting their motivation, mental health and limiting their ability to implement social initiatives. Many young activists faced barriers such as a lack of knowledge, tools and support needed to effectively carry out activities. Youth workers who support young people were not equipped with adequate, up-to-date knowledge about the needs of these groups. Additionally, decision-makers were often unaware of the specific needs of young activists, limiting support for their initiatives.