The Stepping Beyond Tents project aimed to strengthen the capacity of European actors to sustainably integrate young refugees in the fields of education, youth and active citizenship. Our main objective was to produce, based on research and field experience, a reference tool for public decision-makers, educators and youth organisations. This work resulted in the creation of a brochure entitled All United for Refugees, the fruit of transnational cooperation between France, Spain and Turkey and translated into the three languages of these countries. This publication summarised the results of surveys, focus groups and exchanges between professionals in order to formulate policy and practical recommendations. In this way, we hoped to contribute to the implementation of safer, more inclusive and coherent European policies, while strengthening the skills of youth workers and local institutions. The project also sought to promote intercultural dialogue and recognition of the potential of young refugees as agents of social change.
The Stepping Beyond Tents project was initiated to address the urgent needs of young refugees in Europe in terms of integration and empowerment. Our organisation, CIFIR, had identified a lack of coordinated and inclusive strategies to support these vulnerable groups in the areas of education, training and civic participation. In the wake of recent migration crises, particularly those linked to the wars in Ukraine and Syria, we wanted to contribute to the search for concrete solutions that promote social cohesion and intercultural understanding. The project therefore aimed to analyse the challenges faced by refugees and the professionals who support them, in order to develop guidelines for safer and more inclusive European policies. This initiative also responded to the internal needs of our partner organisations to improve their practices in youth work and humanitarian aid. In collaboration with our Spanish and Turkish partners, we shared our expertise, developed common methodological tools and strengthened our capacity to work towards a more equitable, united and human rights-respecting Europe.