The primary goal of the project was to make cross-border learning experiences more accessible to young people who had previously been overlooked—particularly students in secondary schools. The initiative focused on students from Leipzig, especially those attending schools in marginalized neighborhoods that had limited exposure to extracurricular or international youth programs. These schools are often located in communities marked by socio-economic disadvantage, a high percentage of minors from low-income families, and environments affected by issues such as racism, xenophobia, and support for far-right ideologies. The project sought not only to open international opportunities for these young people but also to highlight the inclusive and integrative potential of international youth exchanges. A key component of the initiative was involving young people in shaping the exchange programs according to their interests and needs. This participatory approach aimed to boost their civic engagement and familiarize them with the EU and Europe as dynamic spaces for learning and personal development. This project also aims to strengthen participants’ intercultural competencies—such as language skills, open-mindedness, respect, and the ability to connect with people from different countries and form new friendships. Additionally, it focuses on fostering self-empowerment, self-confidence, and trust in one's own strengths. We especially focus on students from schools in districts located far from the city center, to ensure that they too have the opportunity to develop these skills and gain their first experiences outside their local surroundings—even traveling abroad without their parents. To make this possible, we aim to keep participants' personal costs as low as possible so that everyone has the chance to take part. That´s what we want to achieve with our youth exchanges. To ensure the quality and sustainability of the project, training and cooperation were carried out with volunteer trainers and team members. These efforts were aimed at strengthening international youth work both professionally and methodologically. The project also fostered dialogue among youth work professionals to share experiences, exchange best practices, and build a stronger foundation for future collaboration. Another major focus was on equipping youth workers with the skills and motivation to independently organize international programs for their target groups as well as to train them to deal with violence prevention. Specific training topics included as well sustainable development and mental health in the context of youth work. Finally, the project aimed to enhance the use of digital and virtual tools—both as platforms for international cooperation and as effective resources for training youth leaders.