The main objective of the project was to strengthen the skills of youth workers in preventing and addressing bullying and discrimination in non-formal educational settings. We aimed to create concrete, innovative, and easily transferable tools to help youth workers recognize early signs of distress, promote inclusion, and intervene effectively. The project developed a European training curriculum, creative and digital educational materials, operational guidelines, and replicable workshops. We sought to foster safe and inclusive environments for all young people, with particular attention to those in vulnerable situations (disability, migration, gender identity). Furthermore, the project promoted cooperation among youth organizations across Europe, enhancing the exchange of good practices, methodological innovation, and the recognition of youth work at the European level.
We applied for this project in response to the urgent need to equip youth workers with effective tools to prevent and combat bullying and all forms of discrimination in non-formal educational settings. Bullying affects millions of young people across Europe, with serious psychological, relational, and social consequences. In Italy, approximately 15% of students reported having been victims of bullying (EU Anti-Bullying Campaign, 2021). Despite the widespread nature of the phenomenon, there is a lack of systematic training for youth workers that enables them to intervene in a competent and inclusive way. The project’s partner organizations, active in Italy, Greece, France, and Luxembourg, identified common needs: innovative tools, accessible methodologies, inclusive activities, and adaptable materials to work with vulnerable youth, including persons with disabilities, migrants, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The project aims to address these gaps by promoting safe, welcoming, and discrimination-free environments for young people.