Peaks of Youth: Lead & Connect addresses a clear need identified among young people aged 16–26: the lack of consistent and inclusive contexts where they can practice transversal skills (leadership, communication, teamwork, civic participation, intercultural sensitivity) and transfer them into real initiatives for their communities. European data highlights persistent gaps between the skills demanded by the labor market (leadership and social influence among the top 10 by 2027) and the actual experiential learning opportunities available to youth; at the same time, the NEET percentage shows a still fragile transition to active life. From a youth work perspective, these findings call for well-structured, accessible, and outcome-driven non-formal interventions. The project’s vision is to create a safe, intercultural, and playfully-serious environment in which young people — including those with fewer opportunities (rural backgrounds, economic/educational difficulties, language barriers) — can train their key competences through real roles, co-facilitation, and guided reflection, transforming learning into concrete products (Digital Handbook, video capsules, photo exhibition) and into replicable local actions. The project anchors its approach in EU values (democracy, equality, solidarity, human rights) and in EU Youth Goals #3, #4, #6, #10, linking competences to ecological behaviors and responsible participation. SMART objectives: Leadership & communication. By the end of the mobility, ≥80% of participants will have improved their leadership and communication skills, demonstrated through role rotation (spokesperson, time-keeper, facilitator), simulations (Be a Leader and Be Heard), trust games (Tower of Trust, Maze of Connection), and daily reflections mapped to Youthpass. Social & entrepreneurial initiative. ≥70% will co-design, in multicultural teams, a micro social responsibility initiative (problem framing → 2–3’ pitch in Ideas that Convince), using digital tools (Slides/Canva), impact canvas, and structured feedback; initiatives will be sized for local replication. Intercultural & EU values. >90% will increase their intercultural awareness through Cultural Mashup – Culture without Words, Leaders of Diversity, and artistic co-creations (Collaborative Leadership through Art), documented in journals, exhibitions, and the Digital Handbook, with emphasis on non-verbal communication, empathy, and stereotype deconstruction. Digital & media literacy. All participants will practice responsible content production (daily newsroom, subtitles/alt-text, consent & GDPR), learn tools (Drive, Actionbound, QR,Padlet), and contribute with ≥1 verifiable artifact (poster, clip, case study) to the Digital Handbook. Green skills & sustainability. Integration of the Eco-scoreboard (0 single-use cups, ≥90% sorting, ≤5% food waste, ≥70% land transport where realistic) will turn sustainability into an applied learning routine; participants will connect SDGs (11, 12, 13) with local solutions (Global Goals Relay). Effective inclusion. Each activity will have standard adaptations (visual instructions, alternative pacing, alternative roles: voice-over, photographer, captioning; intercultural buddy; 1-to-1 mentoring). 100% of young people with fewer opportunities will have visible roles and contribute their own evidence to Youthpass. How the project ensures a practical youth work character: Co-design & preparation:mini-surveys/focus groups on needs; online trainings (storytelling, image ethics, subtitles, alt-text, safety & safeguarding), EN mini-glossary, joint editorial calendar (Drive+Trello), role cards (Social Reporter, Photo/Video Curator, Podcast Host, Community Liaison, Green Team Captain, Youthpass Scribe, Data/Analytics Buddy). Experiential learning during mobility (Brașov, 16–24 July): short and dynamic sequences (energizer-activity-debrief “What? Why? Now what?”), role rotation, peer feedback, daily newsroom, real products (pitch video, mission reports, exhibition), safety management (brief/debrief, SLA protocols). Reflection & validation: journals, structured daily Forms based on Youthpass competences, “learning wall,” assisted Youthpass drafting (final day), explicit linking of evidence to learning outcomes. Transfer & multiplication: each partner delivers ≥2 local workshops in 3–6 months; community of practice (Zoom bi-weekly - monthly), Digital Handbook (methods, activity sheets, case studies), subtitled video capsules; dissemination and reuse indicators. Why it matters for the youth work sector: the project provides a replicable model through clear methodological sheets, management protocols, and open educational products. Young people are not mere beneficiaries but co-authors and facilitators, practicing real youth work roles. Thus, Peaks of Youth: Lead & Connect supports professionalization of the sector, strengthens transnational cooperation, and bridges learning from mobility with tangible local impact