Ballyfermot is recognised as one of the more disadvantaged areas of Dublin, with ongoing challenges such as unemployment, intergenerational poverty and educational inequality. In our youth service, it is very common to work with young people who have never had the opportunity to travel outside of Ireland. While many of them develop an interest in travelling and exploring other cultures through our involvement in Erasmus+ projects, the reality is that for most, this remains out of reach due to financial barriers. Because of this, the main aim of the project was to make something that would normally feel impossible become accessible and real for our young people. We wanted to give them the opportunity not just to travel, but to experience Europe in a meaningful way and to build the confidence and independence that comes with that. A key objective was to support young people to develop practical life skills through non formal learning. This included planning a trip, managing a budget, navigating transport systems, booking accommodation, and dealing with unexpected situations. These are all skills that are not always learned in school but are extremely important in everyday life. Through the preparation phase and the travel itself, young people had the chance to learn by doing, which was a big part of the project’s approach. Another important aim was to broaden their horizons and challenge their sense of what is possible. For many of the young people, their world can feel quite small, and this project was about showing them that there is more out there. By experiencing different countries, cultures, and ways of life, they could begin to see themselves as part of something bigger and feel a stronger connection to Europe and to other young people across it. We also wanted to build confidence and encourage independence. This was, for many, their first time travelling without parents or youth workers, which was a big step. The project created a space where they could push themselves, make decisions, solve problems, and realise what they are capable of. A big part of our thinking was that the journey itself reflects real life where things do not always go to plan, but with the right preparation and support young people can learn how to adapt and keep going. In designing the project, we also aimed to respond directly to the specific needs identified through our ongoing youth work practice. Many of our young people face barriers linked to poverty, limited mobility, early school leaving, and a lack of exposure to opportunities beyond their immediate community. For some, this project represented their first time navigating airports, public transport systems, or managing money independently. By embedding structured preparation, peer learning, and reflective practice, we wanted to create a safe but challenging environment where young people could test their abilities and experience success. A further objective was to strengthen young people’s sense of belonging to Europe. In our application, we highlighted a gap in young people’s understanding of Ireland’s role in the EU and their own European citizenship. Through travel, cultural encounters and real life interactions with their peers across Europe, we aimed to make these concepts tangible, particularly for young people who may feel disconnected from wider society or who have internalised negative expectations about their future. We also wanted to build leadership within the youth service. Participants from previous DiscoverEU Inclusion projects played a key role in supporting new groups, sharing practical advice and modelling confidence. This peer led element was intentional and reflects our commitment to youth participation and empowerment. By giving young people ownership over planning, decision making and problem solving, we aimed to develop transferable skills that will support them in education, employment and community life. Finally, the project sought to create long term impact within Ballyfermot Youth Service. We wanted to increase young people’s engagement in Erasmus+ opportunities, strengthen their motivation to pursue further learning and build a culture where travel, intercultural learning and independence are seen as achievable for all young people & not just a few.