Through the implementation of the project, our primary goal was to establish long-term professional cooperation and structured knowledge exchange between the Kacsakő Association in Hungary and the Social Fiber Association in Romania. The project created an opportunity for participating youth workers to share their theoretical and practical experiences in inclusive, trauma-informed, experiential youth work, and to further develop our methodology through joint reflection and collaboration. Another objective was to structurally strengthen quality youth work by developing organisational codes of ethics and methodological handbooks, while expanding the knowledge of our volunteers and newly involved youth workers. During the programme, young youth workers were also able to build deeper professional relationships, resulting in stronger commitment to the organisations’ missions. The project also contributed to making inclusive youth work practices more visible and accessible to a wider professional audience, for example through our online multiplier event, promoting active citizenship and European values. We hope our results will stimulate stronger networking among civil society organisations.
The applicant organisations joined this project because there is currently a lack of inclusive, trauma-informed, experiential youth work methodology training in Hungary and Romania, especially in programs implemented jointly with Roma and non-Roma young people. Based on our experience, most youth workers operate in isolation, relying mainly on personal experience, without structured professional support or knowledge-sharing platforms. The project aimed to respond to youth workers’ needs related to practice-oriented professional development, deepening methodological knowledge, and ensuring high-quality, sustainable work. An additional objective was to make the project results accessible in the long term through the development of organisational codes of ethics and a shared methodological handbook. We also sought to address the mental well-being needs of youth workers, as working with disadvantaged target groups can be emotionally demanding. Through trainings and knowledge exchanges, the project indirectly supports the emotional safety, psychosocial development, and intergroup solidarity of Roma and non-Roma children and young people.