The “Beyond Gender: a journey to break barries and silence” project was born from an Erasmus+ training course in Berlin in 2023, where several youth workers belonging to different European organizations shared their concern about how the challenges youth workers face when addressing sexuality- and gender-related topics with young people. This discussion gave rise to the need of delving into the reasons for such issues, and of finding a way to fill the gap. A literature search started to find European data about the distribution of sex education in Europe, the involvement of youth workers, and the needs of young people. Furthermore, data were collected among youth workers through an online survey, and in some cases the organizations had informal interviews with the YW. The results of this data collection showed that YW struggle with understanding fully the complexity of sexuality- and gender-related issues (including their integration with technology that leads to phenomena such as sexting, non-consensual image sharing, and online dating); that YW do not have the skills to discuss these subjects effectively and safely with YP; and that YW tend to shift the responsibility for sex education to schools and families, not being fully aware of their fundamental role. These findings paved the way for the planning of the present training course, that will involve 27 youth workers in a 7-day training course in Italy at the Casa a Colori Dolo, Dolo (VE) from 1 to 7 July 2026. The main goal of the training course is to train youth workers with the necessary tools, knowledge, and strategies to address sexuality- and gender-related issues in an informed, inclusive, and youth-friendly manner, which will in turn help young people understand their sexuality in a healthy and safe way. The specific objectives of the training course are the following: - To enhance YW’s knowledge of sexuality and gender by providing them with evidence-based training that improves their understanding of key topics such as sexual health, gender identity, relationships, and consent, and of youth’s needs in this regard. - To empower YW to create opportunities for YP to discuss sexual and gender issues in a safe space, by providing YW with practical resources, interactive activities, and inclusive approaches that enable them to address sexuality and gender topics confidently and safely. - To strengthen YW’s awareness of their educational role by fostering a deeper understanding of their impact on YP’s development and empowering them to actively engage in sexuality education as key support figures. The project is intended to be a learning space for youth workers who are eager to make a change in young people’s lives but do not have the tools that allow them to be effective. Through the training course, we will provide youth workers with comprehensive knowledge about key sexuality- and gender-related issues, including consent, sexual orientation, STIs, menstruation, sexting, and gender-based violence, so that they can fill the gap left by the school system and support young people with these pressing issues. Youth workers will also gain the practical skills to address these sensitive topics with youth, learning how to create safe spaces for discussion, respond to challenging questions, and use digital tools to support and educate young people. Finally, they will reflect on personal and societal barriers, recognize the importance of their role as youth workers, and commit to take action rather than being silent. In short, youth workers will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to address sexuality- and gender-related topics with young people, thus contributing to their overall wellbeing and agency. From the point of view of youth work, the project will be a great opportunity for the organizations involved. The ultimate goal of youth organizations is in fact to reach young people and to intercept their needs and interests, in order to offer them activities, trainings, and events that are aligned with their necessities. In this regard, this project is essential in bridging the gap between young people’s needs and the support youth organizations provide. By equipping youth workers with the necessary skills and knowledge, the project will increase the effectiveness of youth work, ensuring that young people receive education and support tailored to their realities. Furthermore, by fostering open discussions and reducing stigma around gender and sexuality, the project will contribute to a more inclusive and youth-centered approach in youth work practices across Europe. The project will create trust on the part of young people in the organizations as they will be able to see in them an attentive interlocutor listening to their needs.