In the project Autonomy Steps - Training and Strategies for the Inclusion and Independence of Young People with Autism and Mental Disabilities (PASSI), we aim to concretely enhance the skills of youth workers who work, or wish to work, with young people with autism or mental disabilities. The core idea is to provide them with innovative tools and non-formal methodologies to promote autonomy, independent living and social-work inclusion of young people with special needs. From a youth work perspective, our specific objectives are: Develop coaching skills and support for autonomy Youth workers, through workshops, role-plays, co-design activities, will acquire concrete techniques of motivational coaching, inclusive communication and the creation of customised independent living paths. The idea is to enable them to accompany young people with mental disabilities in their daily management (housing, relationships, leisure time) and in preparing for future work experiences. Improving the quality of youth work in the field of autism and mental disabilities The project aims to fill training gaps often present in NGOs and youth associations: youth workers have not always received specific training to deal with the challenges of autism and disability. By creating opportunities for exchange and intensive training, we offer a higher standard of quality. Making youth workers ‘ambassadors’ of inclusion We want participants to become role models within their own organisations, raising awareness among colleagues and introducing effective non-formal approaches. Besides improving technical skills, we aim to develop empathy, listening skills and advocacy skills for the rights of young people with mental disabilities. Promoting networking between different countries and contexts With partners from different realities, we aim to create a strong network in which youth workers can exchange practices and adapt methods, creating transnational synergies focused on the autonomy and inclusion of young people with special needs. Ultimately, the project aims to make youth work a place where autism and mental disabilities are not barriers, but areas of competence where youth workers are trained and prepared to act professionally, creatively and consciously. This means, on the one hand, offering a better service to young people with disabilities and, on the other hand, enriching the background of those in the field who work daily for inclusion and the promotion of opportunities. The perspective is therefore to improve the quality of youth work on a European scale by promoting replicable methods, exchanges of ideas and the creation of shared materials (toolkits) that can be used well beyond the duration of the project itself.