During our community surveys and discussions, young people voiced pressing challenges shaping their daily lives: geopolitical instability (war in Ukraine, conflict in Israel/Palestine), rapid technological shifts like AI disrupting jobs and education, weak democratic participation in increasingly polarized societies, and tensions around immigration and integration. Nearly 90% of respondents across partner countries reported feeling overwhelmed, uncertain about their future, and lacking tools to protect their wellbeing. These are shared European challenges that youth work must urgently address. The objectives of LLL YE, designed directly with our 38 young participants, are to: - Develop LifeComp competencies (Personal, Social, Learning to Learn) through non-formal, youth-led activities. - Provide tools for wellbeing such as mindfulness, resilience strategies, and proactive lifestyle practices. - Strengthen democratic participation, enabling youth to debate, collaborate, and co-create civic initiatives. - Foster intercultural dialogue and empathy, countering polarization and supporting inclusive societies. - Bridge formal education gaps by building practical skills often missing in schools. - Ensure inclusion, with at least 50% participants being youth with fewer opportunities. - Link LifeComp achievements directly to Europass CV sections for recognition and employability. - Support all participants’ personal and professional growth, especially in project management skills, as they have been involved in every stage of the project cycle: needs analysis, writing, preparation, implementation, and follow-up. Indirectly, the project will reach 15,000 people through social media campaigns, 100+ locals through partner workshops, and 1,000 readers through our How To Life manual. By reaching these audiences, we want them to learn about Erasmus+, EU values, the LifeComp framework, and how to participate more actively in society. Beyond this, we aim to build a long-lasting network, where each partner brings at least one additional organization, expanding to at least 12 partners. This network will sustain cooperation, disseminate outcomes widely, and further develop LifeComp in future projects across Europe. Importantly, based on testimonials from three young people already engaged with us in piloting LifeComp in their youth work, the framework was described as a “very efficient and practical tool” to help youth not only understand but also apply essential competencies in their everyday lives. They emphasized that LifeComp translates abstract skills like resilience, empathy, and self-regulation into clear, actionable practices, making it easier to implement them in schools, communities, and personal situations. This feedback confirmed our belief that LifeComp is a scientifically proven and accessible model that can guide young people in coping with the challenges of modern life. By leveraging this framework in our project, we want to ensure that participants are not only inspired but also equipped with structured, evidence-based tools they can continue to use long after the YE ends. Finally, the geography, culture, and political realities of each partner country make this exchange uniquely relevant. LT, on the Baltic frontier of the EU, has endured occupations and fought for independence, creating resilience and civic responsibility. Its proximity to the war in Ukraine has heightened youth awareness of democracy, security, and wellbeing, making its voice essential for building resilience and active citizenship. GR, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, combines a rich cultural heritage with experiences of economic recovery and being on the frontline of migration. Youth in GR are engaged in integration and social cohesion, offering vital insights into balancing tradition with inclusiveness. RO, at the edge of the EU, has long been a bridge between European and non-European regions. Its youth face both EU opportunities and rural underdevelopment, emigration, and brain drain, making its contribution invaluable for debates on inclusion, mobility, and equal opportunities. NL represents one of Europe’s most open societies, a hub of intercultural dialogue where diversity and tolerance are cornerstones. This openness, combined with its tradition of international cooperation, makes NL the best of the consortium countries to keep the project in, offering a safe and welcoming environment rooted in intercultural practices. IT, with its history as a major entry point for migration and current struggles with integration and polarization, brings experiences of youth volunteerism and civic action as a response to populism. TR, straddling Europe and Asia, lives in a shifting democratic environment where civic engagement and youth activism play decisive roles. Together, these contexts will not only enrich activities but transform the YE into an enlightening intercultural dialogue, reflecting Europe’s challenges and youth’s hopes.