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Together, stronger

2024-1-PT02-KA152-YOU-0002398282024Mobility of young peoplefinalized
Countries: PT|IT|MK|EL|BG|TR · Grant: €60,518
Bridging intercultural, intergenerational and social dividePreventing racism and discriminationInternational relations and development cooperation

Objectives

The first flow of Together, Stronger (TOST) was held in Évora, Portugal, between 1 and 8 March 2025, and brought together 32 participants from Portugal, Türkiye, Greece, Bulgaria, Italy, and North Macedonia. Each country was represented by four young people and one group leader, while two facilitators from Portugal and Türkiye coordinated the program. The participants came from diverse ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds, including young people with migrant origins, minorities, and Brazilian youth living in Portugal. The project idea emerged from the experience of working with the Düzce Immigration Office, particularly after a local project conducted in October 2023. Observations made during that project revealed a strong need to address the growing racism and xenophobia faced by young people in daily life. The relevance of this issue was further supported by recent international data: Italy declared a state of emergency in 2023 due to rising migration flows; and the IOM recorded over 264,000 irregular entries into the EU by November 2023, increasing pressure on communities and intensifying social tensions. Geopolitical events, such as the war in Ukraine, further contributed to a climate of fear, suspicion, and division. The first mobility in Évora offered participants the chance to reflect on these issues from a Western European context. Through a field trip, they also met immigrants from Africa and Asia, which enriched their perspective on racism and cultural integration in real life. These interactions, combined with the diversity of participants, encouraged meaningful conversations about inclusion and identity. The second mobility was held in Düzce, Türkiye between 16-23 March 2025 and brought 36 participants from Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Turkiye, North Macedonia and Portugal. The decision to implement this project was based on a collaborative effort with the Düzce Immigration Office, following a previous youth project held in Düzce in October 2023. During that initiative, it became clear that racism and xenophobia were pressing and escalating issues within the region. These concerns were supported by numerous studies and reports indicating a significant increase in incidents of racial discrimination and intolerance across Europe. The geopolitical climate—particularly the war in Ukraine and the rise in migration to EU countries—further intensified public tension and xenophobic rhetoric. In response to these developments, the project was designed to equip young people with the necessary knowledge, skills, and motivation to counteract racism and xenophobia in their communities. Through two mobility activities held in Portugal and Türkiye, participants were exposed to diverse cultural contexts that broadened their perspectives and strengthened their commitment to inclusivity. The main aim of the project was to increase young people’s competences and motivation to combat xenophobia. The specific objectives of the first flow were: To raise awareness among young participants and the local community about the harmful effects of xenophobia, emphasizing the importance of diversity and cultural understanding. To foster empathy and tolerance by facilitating interactions with people from different backgrounds and sharing personal experiences. To develop and implement an anti-xenophobia campaign created by and for young people, targeting stereotypes and promoting inclusive values.

Project partners (6)