The purpose of the project was to promote youth work in the Nordic countries by empowering girls and non-binary young people, in line with the priority of increasing the quality and recognition of youth work. To achieve this, the project aimed to: Develop activities for girls and non-binary youth that strengthen their control over their lives. Share good practices and strategies for engaging these young people across the Nordic region. Strengthen the capacity of youth workers in this field. Promote cross-sectoral collaboration to increase access and participation.
We applied for this project to strengthen our organizations’ capacity to work transnationally and address shared challenges faced by girls and non-binary young people in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. These groups seek safe, inclusive environments for learning, activities, and sharing experiences, but often encounter social and cultural barriers that limit their participation. Many have passive leisure time, low self-esteem, a lack of hope for the future, and a need for positive contexts and attentive adults. Our work is based on their needs and is designed together with them, through separatist safe spaces that foster empowerment, relationships, and personal development. The project enables us to analyze social trends, adapt to changing needs, and share effective strategies across borders. Funding strengthens youth workers’ competence, raises the quality and relevance of activities, and promotes cross-sectoral cooperation. Together, we aim to develop Nordic youth work for long-term participation and inclusion.