Project Aim This project empowers young people to address drug abuse challenges, fostering resilience and equipping them with skills to promote healthier, sustainable lifestyles. Through youth work practices, it cultivates socially responsible, informed, and confident young individuals who act as agents of change in their communities. Grounded in nonformal education, interactive learning, and community engagement, the project ensures participants gain knowledge, competencies, and motivation to advocate for drug prevention, support peers, and contribute to youth-led initiatives. Project Objectives The objectives leverage youth work as a transformative tool, promoting awareness, resilience, advocacy, inclusion, leadership, and sustainability. 1. Promoting Awareness & Understanding of Drug Abuse Participants will learn about the physical, mental, social, and economic impacts of substance abuse, aligning with Mental Health & Wellbeing. Through critical discussions, experiential learning, and role-playing, they will develop citizenship competence, gaining the ability to: ✔ Advocate for healthier communities ✔ Promote awareness of drug abuse risks & prevention strategies ✔ Support peers in making informed choices By deepening their understanding of drug abuse effects, participants gain confidence and motivation for prevention efforts. 2. Building Emotional Resilience & Healthy Coping Mechanisms Recognizing emotional well-being’s importance, the project provides tools for stress management, decision-making, and resisting peer pressure. Participants will develop personal, social, and learning-to-learn competencies, fostering: ✔ Resilience & self-awareness ✔ Adaptive strategies for managing external influences ✔ A culture of well-being & positive mental health By emphasizing healthy alternatives to drug use, the project reinforces lifelong strategies for emotional self-regulation. 3. Equipping Youth with Practical Skills for Advocacy & Prevention Using nonformal education methods such as: ✔ Role-playing & simulations ✔ Community mapping ✔ Project-based learning Participants develop competencies in: ✔ Communication & public speaking ✔ Teamwork & collaboration ✔ Project design & implementation This enhances their entrepreneurship competence, empowering them to lead drug prevention initiatives in their communities. By designing advocacy campaigns, they contribute to Space & Participation for All, reinforcing youth engagement in community-driven projects. 4. Promoting Inclusion & Empowerment of Marginalized Youth A key focus is ensuring inclusion and equity for disadvantaged youth, with at least half of participants from marginalized groups, including: ✔ Rural & economically disadvantaged youth ✔ Ethnic minorities ✔ LGBTQ+ youth & others facing social barriers Aligning with Inclusive Societies & Moving Rural Youth Forward, the project ensures: ✔ Equal participation opportunities ✔ Integration of diverse perspectives ✔ Empowerment of underrepresented youth By fostering an inclusive environment, the project strengthens citizenship competence, equipping participants to advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. 5. Encouraging Active Citizenship & Youth Leadership The project empowers participants as youth leaders & advocates, aligning with Connecting EU with Youth by promoting: ✔ Solidarity & European identity ✔ Active citizenship & youth participation ✔ Intercultural exchange & collaboration Through leadership training and collaborative initiatives, participants enhance cultural awareness & expression competence. By developing prevention projects, they: ✔ Gain a sense of ownership & responsibility ✔ Develop leadership skills through hands-on experience ✔ Ensure long-term sustainability of youth-driven initiatives By leading prevention campaigns, youth commit to social change & community engagement. 6. Promoting Sustainable Practices in Youth Work Sustainability is integrated into both environmental responsibility & long-term impact, aligning with Sustainable Green Europe by ensuring: ✔ Discussions on ecological responsibility ✔ Environmentally conscious behaviors (waste reduction, green travel, carbon offsets) ✔ Sustainability incorporated into advocacy work By promoting sustainability through digital campaigns, the project enhances participants’ digital competence, enabling them to spread awareness on drug prevention & environmental responsibility.