We worked on 3 main complementary and interconnected pillars: Active Participation of Youth and their inclusion. Tools for activism. Mental and physical health of young activists. Objectives were: 1. Create involvement about/for/with the LGBTQIA+/Queer youth and those allies to the community to increase their active participation in society and especially in their local communities. 2. Explore and identify the impact that different tools for activism can have on the youngsters (community building, art, outdoors, digital activism etc) 3. Work on the mental and physical health of the young activists; Involve them in how they can create safer and braver spaces for themselves and their peers. Complimentary to those, also: 4. Increase the quality and recognition of LGBTQIA+ youth work, enhancing the organisational capacities, experiences, and competencies of those working with LGBTQIA+ youth and other vulnerable groups; 5. Create and promote an innovative method of "activism through non-formal learning", making it accessible and available for youth workers and young activists themselves to use. 6. Promote Erasmus+ and non-formal learning as a beneficial tool for activism and social change in the European, local and national context.
LGBTQIA+ rights in Europe remain under constant threat. Many partner countries face discrimination, anti-LGBTQIA+ laws, extremism and right-wing propaganda, hate speech and crimes, which deeply affect queer youth through bullying, exclusion, violence, mental health challenges and more. Activate Youth responded by creating celebratory, safer and braver spaces where queer youth could freely be themselves and realize their potential. We addressed the lack of resources for inclusive youth work and promoted non-formal learning as a powerful tool for young people to stay empowered, active, hopeful and engaged in building inclusive, accessible, intersectional and safer learning environments and societies. The project aimed to reduce discrimination of LGBTQIA+ people by creating involvement about, for, and with the LGBTQIA+ youth and allies to increase their active participation in society. We developed a methodology “activism through non-formal learning”, meaning work together and closely with the partners' consortium, the target groups, the associated partners, and networks on how they can use non-formal learning as a tool for sustainable activism and inclusion.