Why is it that in 2025, girls still make up less than 20% of students in STEM fields in many EU countries? Why do surveys show that 1 in 4 young women in Europe have already experienced some form of violence in a relationship, and that sexist jokes are among the most common forms of bullying at schools? Why do many boys still feel they cannot show emotions without being mocked? While gender equality in Europe is slowly improving, the progress is uneven, and in some areas things are even going backwards. Discrimination and violence do not appear suddenly—they grow out of clinging to strict gender roles, everyday prejudices, and subtle stereotypes like “girls are too emotional,” “men should bring money home,” “boys are better at sports,” or “girls should take care of others.” With this Youth Exchange, we want to challenge these patterns early. The project Equal VOICE, Equal APPRECIATION starts with giving every participant the space and courage to raise their voice: to share their own observations, experiences, and feelings about prejudices in their schools, families, and communities, and to say clearly what is not OK for them. From there, we move to building a culture of appreciation—learning to value each other equally regardless of gender, and to support each other in daily life and in teamwork. This is the meaning behind our title: everyone deserves to be heard, and everyone deserves appreciation. It is important to emphasise that the idea for this exchange came directly from young people themselves. They are the ones who said they want more opportunities to talk openly about prejudices, to understand how they affect them, and to learn how to react when they hear unfair jokes or see someone being treated badly. They also want to know how to support their friends and how to bring positive change back home in their schools or youth groups. At the same time, they felt that focusing only on “serious talks” would be too heavy, so they suggested a solution: to combine the theme with something very practical and fun—outdoor skills. These are skills like making a fire, cooking outdoors, using a map and relevant hiking apps to plan the hike, recognising plants, or learning what and how to pack for a hike in your backpack. For the teenagers, they are exciting and useful; for the project, they are also symbolic. Outdoors, there is no “boy’s job” or “girl’s job.” Everyone has to work together, rotate roles, and trust each other. This makes the outdoor part a perfect playground to practice equality and appreciation in action. From a youth work perspective, combining these two themes is powerful. Talking about prejudices needs trust, a safe space, and a strong group feeling. Outdoor teamwork naturally builds that: when you are cooking together or navigating a trail, you learn to rely on each other and respect everyone’s contribution. At the same time, outdoor skills are very practical for this age group (14–16). Teenagers at this age want to try things with their own hands, test themselves, and see clear results. Linking that curiosity with deeper reflection makes the programme both engaging and meaningful. AIM The youth exchange “Equal voices, equal appreciation” aims to empower young people to recognise and challenge gender prejudices, to raise their voice for fairness, to give appreciation to each other regardless of background, and to build confidence through outdoor skills and teamwork. OBJECTIVES 1. Raise awareness of gender prejudices by reflecting on how they are formed, how they shape daily life, and why they are harmful both for individuals and society. 2. Give young people a strong voice by creating safe spaces where they can openly express which gender prejudices and unfair treatments they find unacceptable, and feel valued for sharing their experiences. 3. Develop assertive communication and resilience by practising how to stand up against unfair treatment, how to react to hurtful jokes or insults, and how to support peers facing discrimination. 4. Experience equality and appreciation in action through outdoor activities that require teamwork, trust, and role rotation, proving that every person’s contribution matters. 5. Learn and exchange practical outdoor skills such as fire making, cooking, map reading, or plant knowledge, showing that all skills are for everyone and not defined by gender. 6. Motivate participants to become change-makers in their schools, families, and communities by encouraging peers to challenge prejudices and by spreading a culture of appreciation and respect.