The European Commission designated 2023 as the “European Year of Skills”, with the primary objective of promoting lifelong learning, sustainable practices, and digital advancements. (commission.europa.eu) This effort encourages improving skills, helping people become more employable, and boosting the economy. Although skilled professionals have many opportunities to contribute to society, there remains a low level of awareness regarding sector progress and the value of soft skills. Through this project, our goal is to support the European Commission’s objectives so that individuals can take advantage of this year’s resources, develop their skills, and invest in their personal and professional growth for future success. Central to emotional intelligence is early risk recognition, crucial in the context of depression’s increasing burden. Young adults are particularly vulnerable. The European Parliament’s “Mental health in the EU” briefing notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated mental health challenges among youth. A meta-analysis of studies around the pandemic in Eastern Europe observed pooled prevalence estimates of around 30 % for anxiety and 27 % for depression during that period. In Romania, around 9% of children and adolescents need mental health services annually, and nearly 33% of 11 to 15 year olds report feeling sad more than once a week, compared to 13% on average across 45 countries. Almost 49% of 17 year olds have experienced suicidal thoughts at least once. (UNICEF, 2022). In Slovakia, studies show that about 47% of young people display symptoms of depression, with 9% suffering from severe forms. The demand for psychological support among adolescents is rising steadily. (OECD, 2023). In Hungary, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly worsened adolescent well-being. Between 2018 and 2022, the share of 11 to 15 year olds with multiple health complaints rose from 37% to 62% among girls and from 29% to 39% among boys. (WHO, 2023). Given these trends, rising mental health needs among youth and increasing demand for emotional and social competencies in a changing job market, our project addresses a real gap. Because many youths lack structured support in emotional awareness and expression, due to stigma, lack of education, or limited access to mental health resources, they often struggle with communication, self-regulation, and resilience. We propose to work with 36 young people aged 18-24 across Romania (RO), Slovakia (SK), and Hungary (HU), equipping them with soft skills such as communication, adaptability, and creativity, and guiding them in emotional expression through journaling. Through this, we aim to strengthen their emotional intelligence, mental well-being, and capacity to thrive in their social and professional lives. Goal: To increase the ability to effectively express emotions among 36 youth aged 18-24 from partner organizations in Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary by the end of the project. Specific objectives: O1. By the end of the project, at least 80% of the 36 participating youth (aged 18–24 from RO, SK, HU) will demonstrate improved self-reflection and emotional expression skills, measured through pre- and post-project self-assessment surveys and the quality of entries in their personal journals. O2. By the end of the project, at least 70% of participants will show measurable improvement in literacy competences (creative writing, journaling, and blogging), evaluated through participant outputs (journals, blogs, and group writing tasks) and facilitator feedback. O3. By the end of the project, all 3 partner organizations will have implemented at least one awareness-raising activity (e.g., dissemination event, workshop, or online campaign) in their local communities, reaching a minimum of 200 young people in total, thereby increasing organizational support for youth emotional expression and mental health awareness. The objectives of this project are closely linked to the overall objectives of the program and reflect the priorities of the program related to youth participation. Among partners, RO specializes in soft skills, creativity, and youth empowerment, while the other two (HU and SK) emphasize organizational skills, problem-solving capabilities, and inclusion. The purpose is the exchange of experiences and knowledge among all partner organizations and ensure the inclusion of all of them, while reducing the stigmatization of mental health issues.