The Roots of Compassion project was designed with the intention of facilitating holistic development of participants, to enhance their personal and professional success, satisfaction and overall well-being. By improving and enriching their knowledge, skills, attitudes and tools, methods and approaches, participants became holistic authentic leaders who are capable to motivate and empower their target groups. Roots of Compassion was created to address and meet our own and our partners' needs, as we recognized the need to build-up the capacity of partner organisations and the competencies of their youth workers with tools and practices for self-compassion, holistic development and environmental topics. THE NEED FOR SPECIFIC TOOLS TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE; we presented the nature-based development model of Dr. Bill Plotkin, practices that promote compassion for the self and thus also for fellow human beings, and how this holistic approach can be applied to work with young people. We created an opportunity for participants to develop, design and implement a workshop in small groups, under the supervision of the programme guides, that they can take back to their target group. They also received feedback on their work from both their peers (other participants) and the trainer team. We supported them as much as possible with concrete steps, how to transfer the knowledge to their communities. THE NEED FOR CONTEMPORARY METHODS FOR WORKING WITH HARD TO REACH YOUTH; due to the proven ineffectiveness of institutionalised methods for social support and inclusion, we focused on experiential learning by doing, supported by the principles of positive psychology and positive education. All the methods presented are adaptable to different vulnerable groups with fewer opportunities, and are suitable for overcoming demographic, socio-economic, physical ability and/or health barriers. THE NEED TO IMPROVE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND WORK SATISFACTION; as the project was created by youth workers for youth workers, we have paid a lot of attention to practices that promote self-compassion, holistic well-being, personal and professional development. The designed programme has equipped youth workers with methods that they can implement themselves to improve their own life and work satisfaction, or to lead these same processes for their target groups. THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF YOUTH WORK AND SOCIAL INCLUSION; we created a space where participants had the opportunity to network and connect with youth workers and organisations that share the values of a holistic approach and sustainable living and take quality action in youth work. THE NEED FOR ORGANISATION VISIBILITY; we have deliberately worked with less experienced organisations to provide them with this training opportunity and to increase their quality and visibility in international youth work and follow-up activities with their beneficiaries. We have: ● Presented the knowledge, skills and tools in the fields of positive psychology, positive education, personal development and social work; ● Practised nature-based methods that promote self-discovery and thus facilitate personal and professional development; ● Presented practices of holistic embodiment; ● Developed a personal relationship with nature (deep connection with nature) and cultivated ecological awareness; ● Empowered and equipped the youth workers with tools and techniques to create their own personal development practices; ● Created an environment for the development of fundamental social values that youth workers can promote to their target groups: compassion, support, unity, respect, empathy, inclusion, acceptance; ● Created opportunities for international cooperation and partnership building