Our project “Our Minds, Our Future – Youth Participation for Mental Health” engaged 34 participants (26 young people and 8 group and decision leaders) from five partner countries. Among them, 13 participants faced fewer opportunities, including health, social, or economic barriers, and were supported to actively take part in all stages of the project. The project aimed to create space and opportunity for young people to engage in civic society, to advocate for improved mental health services in schools, and to break the stigma around mental health. During implementation, the participants were at the center of all activities: they researched, facilitated discussions, prepared agendas and meeting minutes, developed the policy paper, disseminated results, and led the outreach in their schools and communities. A major achievement of the project was the dialogue with decision leaders at school and local levels. Young people brought their voices to representatives of schools, psychological offices, and local authorities, raising awareness about the urgent need for accessible mental health services. In addition, they conducted surveys at national level (Romania) and at community levels (other partner countries), which confirmed the scale of mental health challenges among youth. The Romanian survey results were especially dramatic, revealing unexpected statistics that emphasized how severe the gaps in mental health support are (as detailed in the Policy Paper). The project created a strong learning opportunity in youth participation and civic engagement. Participants reflected, discussed, brainstormed, researched, and proposed solutions on how schools and communities can better support young people with mental health issues. They also connected the topic of mental health with broader civic values: the importance of young people having their voices heard, volunteering for their communities, and speaking out about societal problems. Key activities highlighted the active role of youth: • They engaged in dialogues with decision makers to present their findings and recommendations. • They conducted research and developed a Policy Paper, which brought evidence-based proposals to the table. • They organized and facilitated local festivals, where they raised awareness by linking mental health with active citizenship and youth participation. • They prepared and ran the agendas for management meetings, ensuring youth-led project coordination. • They disseminated the project results in schools, informing peers about Erasmus+ opportunities, youth participation, and the importance of mental health. The objectives were achieved through this active involvement: 1. Raising knowledge, skills, and awareness of 26 young people on civic engagement and youth participation, while empowering them to advocate for their rights to mental health. 2. Strengthening the capacity of the five partner organizations to support youth-led initiatives, organize Youth Participation Activities, and sustain structured dialogue with decision makers. 3. Consolidating links with schools and communities, opening pathways for long-term improvements in school environments and mental health services. By the end of the project, participants felt empowered and motivated to continue advocating for change. They not only learned how to participate but also experienced the impact of their voices being heard at community and national levels. This step-by-step process of raising awareness, proposing solutions, and engaging in policy dialogue contributes to the broader EU Youth Strategy goal of promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing, while also fostering inclusion, diversity, and youth empowerment.