We set seven key objectives for the project: G1: Young people are able to manage potentially conflictual situations — both online and in real-life interactions — that stem from social polarization. G2: Young people gain a deeper understanding of key concepts related to civic literacy, become more resilient to disinformation, and more inclusive in their civic engagement. G3: Youth workers and youth leaders are trained to address conflicts arising from social polarization and are motivated to work for peace and mutual understanding. G4: Other educators and youth allies are equipped to address conflicts among young people that stem from increasing social polarization. G5: The youth sector is recognized as a relevant and competent stakeholder in tackling challenges related to social polarization, civic literacy, and youth initiative. G6: Spaces for dialogue are established — fostering genuine conversations among young people and others at personal, organizational, local, national, and international levels. G7: EU citizens develop a deeper understanding of the Union’s values and actively engage in promoting and upholding them.
The Hard Topics project is a response to the growing social polarization and increasingly conflictual atmosphere in society. Youth workers, young people, and educators across various fields are witnessing this tense atmosphere on multiple levels: within groups, in educational institutions, in youth work, and most notably, in society at large. We believe that the best response to rising polarization is DIALOGUE. Through this project, we aimed to strengthen the dialogical competences of young people—as well as those of youth workers and educators—in an engaging and interactive way. Our goal was also to contribute to active citizenship and youth initiativeness. We focused our activities around shared European values, which remain one of the few starting points with broad consensus and acceptance. We sought to involve a diverse range of young people, youth workers, and organizations in our dialogical activities. However, our identified needs extended beyond youth and organizations. We also aimed to make a systemic contribution—by influencing the teaching of civic education in the partner countries.