With this project we have promoted the effective inclusion of young migrants on a European scale by implementing an innovative method to involve them in local development projects with which we strengthened local host communities impacted by economic and social crises. With this, we reached our main objective of showing the potential these young migrants really have, who despite having fled extreme situations like wars, persecution, and poverty, can actively contribute to rebuilding the social structure of their new environments. In this project we have managed to promote social cohesion and reduce exclusion and hate speech thanks to the joint work of young migrants and locals in initiatives that improved the employability, sustainability, and quality of life of their communities. We have also managed to raise awareness in local communities about the value and resilience of young migrants, turning them into key agents for local development and showing that integration is an effective tool to revitalize neighborhoods and create a more inclusive and supportive environment.
The “SPEAK OUT” project arises as a response to the alarming increase in social exclusion, discrimination, and hate speech in the local host communities due to the arrival of young migrants from contexts of crises like the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine. These communities, which have been hit hard by socio-economic deterioration and loss of resources, have also seen an increase in radicalism and social de-structuring. Faced with this problem, our “SPEAK OUT” project proposed to integrate young migrants as active agents for change, to work together with local youth in development projects that promote cohesion, employability, sustainability, and community participation by addressing critical needs like social exclusion, the de-structuring of neighborhoods, and the loss of youth volunteering. With this project, we sought to rebuild communities to be more resilient and inclusive, aligned with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda, the Erasmus+ Programme, and the EU Youth Strategy.