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RISE: Rights, Inclusion, Sexual health & Equality

2025-1-DE04-KA154-YOU-0003001822025Youth participation activitiesfinalized
Countries: DE|TR · Grant: €59,973
Promoting gender equalityDemocracy and inclusive democratic participation

Objectives

Our objective in implementing the project was to specifically reduce the existing knowledge gaps among young people in the field of gender equality as well as sexual and reproductive health, while at the same time systematically strengthening their active role in political decision-making processes. In doing so, we responded to the identified problem that young people, despite being directly affected by these issues, had only limited access to reliable information and were scarcely represented in decision-making mechanisms. Through the combination of international mobility, non-formal learning methods, and policy-oriented working formats, a learning process was created that systematically promoted both cognitive and practical competences. A central operational objective was to raise participants’ awareness of gender equality and sexual and reproductive health through evidence-based learning and to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of these topics. During the first mobility in Istanbul, human rights principles, gender equality mechanisms, and different forms of discrimination were analysed and linked with local practical examples. During the second mobility in Dortmund, this knowledge was further deepened by comparatively examining health policy systems, barriers to accessing healthcare services, and national differences in the field of sexual education. As a result, a coherent learning process was established, progressing from basic awareness to applied analysis and evaluation. Another specific objective was to strengthen the political participation of young people and enable them to actively contribute to decision-making processes. This was achieved through simulation-based formats such as Policy Labs, role-playing activities, and structured dialogue exercises with decision-makers. Throughout these activities, participants developed concrete competences in analysing political structures, formulating policy demands, and presenting solution-oriented recommendations. The objective was not only to provide theoretical knowledge but also to build practical participation competences that could be directly transferred to local and national contexts. Furthermore, the project aimed to promote international solidarity and intercultural cooperation between young people from Germany and Türkiye. Through direct collaboration in mixed international groups, different social realities were identified, discussed, and jointly analysed. Participants worked on common thematic areas and developed transnational perspectives on gender equality and health policy. This exchange enabled them to critically reflect on national differences while simultaneously developing shared European approaches to addressing common challenges. A particularly concrete objective was the development of an evidence-based policy strategy document that consolidated the identified challenges together with the participants’ concrete recommendations. This document was developed progressively throughout both mobilities by systematically integrating observations from field visits, expert discussions, and group analyses. Participants worked with structured policy paper frameworks and produced practical, implementable recommendations for decision-makers at the local, national, and European levels. In addition, the project sought to develop the participants as multipliers who would sustainably transfer the project results into their local communities. To achieve this, targeted dissemination strategies were designed, including local workshops, peer-learning activities, and digital awareness-raising campaigns. At the same time, awareness of the Erasmus+ Programme was strengthened by enabling participants to identify concrete opportunities for future projects and reflect on their own role within European participation processes. Overall, the project pursued a clearly structured framework of objectives that combined knowledge development, competence building, political participation, and sustainable impact, thereby making a direct contribution to strengthening active citizenship and promoting more equal and inclusive societal structures.

Project partners (2)