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X-Change: Intersectionality in Action

2025-1-NO02-KA152-YOU-0002998432025Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: NO|EE|UA|LV|GE · Grant: €35,131
Preventing racism and discriminationInclusion of marginalised young peopleDemocracy and inclusive democratic participation

Objectives

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange “X-Change: Intersectionality in Action” aims to empower young people with knowledge, skills, and tools to recognize and challenge discrimination through an intersectional approach. The discussions of the discrimination and privilege, systematic oppression and stereotypes that occur in every society are indeed very important and hard to ignore. We identified needs of the young people that relate to this topic, therefore they seek equal opportunities, access to decision making, don’t be afraid of being violated by any facet of their individuality and built strong unbiased relationships in workplace and in their personal lives, regardless of their gender, skin tone, ethnicity, religious believes and sexuality. Objectives of this project very well align with Erasmus+ program objectives, Youth Exchange objectives and European Youth Goals, but most importantly these objectives align with needs young people all over the world and needs of organisations implementing this project. By implementing this project we want for young individuals from EU and non-EU countries to understand that they are important members of society and their voices should be loud and meningful, as well as their presence, in todays political and economical situation. It is about equping young generation of progressive forward-thinking youth with knowledge and skills, so they could bring new ideas, diversity and their drive to move forward to the better future to their communities, workplaces and personal lives. This project is crucial, because it is about making sure that new generation of young individuals understand that freedom, justice and equality in front of the law is important, and that the discrimination of certain citizens and certain groups is a bad thing and will only result in less economic prosperity in the long term. The big objective for our organisation, that expands not only on the projects ground but beyond, is to to prevent any form of discrimination and oppression, especially amongst young marginalized group, by fostering awareness and education through this type of Ersamus+ Youth Exchange, where young people from different backgrounds with help of facilitators and other members of the project create safe and inclusive space, where they can have intercultural and intergroup interaction and get access to resources and support. The principles of equality in rights and dignity, and freedom from discrimination were outlined in the first two articles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights: All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights (Article 1) Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind (Article 2). Protection against discrimination in Europe can be found both within European Union law and within the Council of Europe treaty system, notably in the work of the European Court of Human Rights. But the thing is that majority of people might be discriminated against because of one or more characteristics that are part of, or are perceived as part of their identity. That is when we start to use the term “intersectionality” and special tools that it provides. The “intersectionality” - concept of multiple discrimination, recognises that discrimination can occur on the basis of more than one perceived characteristic. For example, a person who is discriminated on the grounds of their ethnicity may be also discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, age, and so on. Studies have shown an absence of data and legal mechanisms capable of dealing with intersectional discrimination at European level, therefore implementing this project will get more attention to the matter and with help of the participants, organisations and the power of media can potentially change this situation for the better in the future. These problems challenge the youth workers to take into consideration multiple facets of individual identity, that allows them to better understand each individuals needs and support them. In the context of youth work, intersectionality is a valuable tool for analysing how different forms of oppression – such as ageism, racism, sexism, ableism, heterosexism, cissexism, and classism – interact and intersect to influence lived experiences. Intersectionality encourages us to reflect and question our assumptions and value the diversity and unique qualities each person brings. As for youth worker an intersectional approach supports our assessment, risk assessments, care planning, and reviewing. It also leads to effective inclusion by supporting people who work with youth to understand the subjective experiences of those with marginalised and stigmatised identities.

Project partners (5)