In addressing the target group needs, we aimed to: • Empower young women and youth workers with fewer opportunities through structured training and mentoring; • Build a transnational support network to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and solidarity; • Enhance their eight key EU competences through the VIRAGO framework: European citizenship, intercultural understanding, personal and social learning, activism, environmental sustainability, digital literacy, and problem-solving; • Promote gender equality and the inclusion of vulnerable groups such as ethnic minorities and Ukrainian refugees; • Challenge digital narratives by presenting refugee women as role models of resilience, leadership, and community contribution. Another key aim was to enhance the visibility and public perception of Ukrainian refugee women, highlighting their strength and potential as role models in order to challenge stereotypes and promote more inclusive and cohesive societies. For our NGOs we wanted to 1. Greater reach and impact on our target groups locally 2. Strengthen Transborder Collaboration 3. Foster Cultural Exchange and Human Rights Awareness 4. Promote Best Practices and Diversity Education 5. Sharing best practices, and improved competences:
We applied for this project to address the urgent needs of youth workers and female volunteers (18–29) from rural, remote, or war-affected communities, including Ukrainian refugees. These groups face significant barriers due to geographical isolation, ethnic diversity, environmental degradation, and conflict. Many are disconnected from training, networks, and opportunities to develop key life and civic competences. Our goal is to empower them through the VIRAGO model, focusing on EU citizenship, intercultural understanding, resilience, leadership, green thinking, digital skills, and problem-solving to foster solidarity and mutual learning. We also aim to support Ukrainian women in exile by offering skills training and promoting them as role models of strength and leadership, challenging negative stereotypes and encouraging inclusive local communities.A critical need we identified is the lack of access to training, resources, and networks that would enable these young women and youth workers to acquire key life and professional competencies, especially in times of crisis. The war in Ukraine has further deepen these inequalities, they face the need to be supported and prepared for their future return and reintegration.