The InsPower project sought to empower youth workers and disadvantaged young people by building skills, motivation, and inclusive opportunities. Specifically, the objectives were to: encourage youth workers engaging with displaced or marginalized youth to acquire coaching and mentoring skills; foster hope, vision, and motivation among young people from disadvantaged backgrounds; promote the quality, innovation, and recognition of youth work initiatives; and strengthen international cooperation and collaboration among partners. By focusing on these goals, the project aimed to create supportive environments where youth workers are better equipped to guide young people, and where disadvantaged youth can develop clear goals, self-confidence, and resilience. The project placed strong emphasis on inclusion, innovation, and cross-sector cooperation, aligning with European youth priorities while ensuring that both youth workers and young participants gained new competencies, perspectives, and opportunities for active engagement in their communities
The InsPower project was developed in response to the urgent challenges faced by disadvantaged young people, particularly those displaced by wars, natural disasters, or economic crises. Studies from Germany, Italy, and Turkey reveal rising levels of hopelessness, stress, and pessimism among youth, who face barriers to education, employment, and participation in society. These conditions increase risks of marginalization, poverty, and isolation, highlighting a clear need for inclusive support. Youth workers, though central to empowering young people, often lack sufficient training in coaching, mentoring, media literacy, and creative tools such as art and music. Recognizing these gaps, three partner organizations joined forces to combine and strengthen their expertise: ToL Akademie in digital media, Sides in coaching and mentoring, and Gürkey Perküsyon in art and music. Together we designed InsPower to build youth workers’ capacities, inspire disadvantaged youth, and create opportunities for resilience, motivation, and active citizenship.