The "Moving Presence" project was designed with the intention to offer an innovative and holistic approach to youth work practice. Our central aim was to equip youth workers (YWers) with a set of tools and competences rooted in mindfulness, nonviolent communication (NVC), and intuitive movement—three methodologies that together support the development of emotional intelligence, presence, and meaningful interpersonal relationships. By fostering these abilities, the project contributed to the broader goals of the Erasmus+ Programme, particularly in the areas of inclusion, well-being, quality youth work, and innovation. The project's aim was to respond to the growing challenges youth and YWers face in today’s fast-paced, highly digitalized, and emotionally complex world. We sought to counteract the effects of digital distraction, emotional disconnection, and rising mental health issues—particularly among youth—with embodied, presence-based approaches that empower both YWers and the young people they serve. The specific objectives of the project were as follows: -To enhance self-awareness and mindfulness among youth workers The project aimed to deepen YWers’ capacity to be fully present in their bodies and environments. Through mindfulness practices—such as guided meditations, nature-based awareness exercises, and silent reflection walks—participants learned to develop and sustain presence. By cultivating this competence, they became more attuned to their own needs and emotions, and were thus better equipped to support young people with attentiveness, calm, and empathy. -To strengthen effective and empathetic communication skills Through the integration of Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and Miki Kashtan’s work on collaborative communication, the project enabled participants to communicate more clearly, authentically, and compassionately. They practiced key NVC components—observation, feelings, needs, and requests—through role plays, dyad sharing, and embodied dialogue exercises. These communication tools were designed to be immediately applicable in their everyday youth work. -To support emotional regulation and well-being We recognized that many YWers and youth face increased levels of anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm. Therefore, one of the main objectives was to equip participants with tools to regulate their emotional states. The combination of breathwork, body-based awareness, and mindfulness meditation provided concrete strategies for managing internal states and maintaining emotional balance—tools that participants could later transfer to the young people they work with. -To promote empathy and inclusivity as foundations of meaningful connection The project was strongly rooted in values of inclusion and social justice. By practicing deep listening, presence-based group rituals (such as the Way of Council), and structured dyad exercises, participants developed a greater capacity for empathy—both toward themselves and others. These methods were particularly relevant for working with marginalized and underserved youth populations, who often lack spaces where they are truly seen and heard. -To empower professional development and quality in youth work Through experiential learning, peer feedback, and the opportunity to design and facilitate their own workshops, participants strengthened their facilitation skills and gained confidence in applying embodied, presence-centered approaches to youth work. The training course also supported participants in creating concrete follow-up plans, integrating the learned tools into their local realities and NGOs. -To inspire active citizenship and social transformation through nonviolence and presence Drawing inspiration from Gandhi and Thich Nhat Hanh, the project aimed to sow seeds of mindful social change. By helping YWers embody empathy, compassion, and clarity in action, we aspired to create ripples of transformation in local communities. Youth workers were encouraged to see themselves not just as facilitators, but as role models and agents of change in the larger ecosystem of education and youth development. By fulfilling these objectives, the project significantly enhanced the personal and professional capacities of the participating youth workers and laid the foundation for long-term changes in their approaches to youth work—anchored in presence, empathy, and embodied awareness.