The project Youth Cultural, Environmental, and Accessibility Awareness: International Activities in Istanbul (acronym GICities) is designed to empower young people to become active, responsible, and inclusive citizens by combining environmental awareness, cultural discovery, and social inclusion within an international exchange setting. Rooted in the key values of youth work—participation, inclusion, empowerment, and non-formal learning—the initiative ensures that young people, including those with fewer opportunities, gain equal access to transformative international experiences that promote personal growth and social engagement. Objectives The project pursues five interconnected objectives: Promote Environmental Responsibility: Engage young people in outdoor and eco-friendly activities such as sea biking (deniz bisikleti), cycling, waste-collection campaigns, hiking, and workshops on sustainable living. These activities will inspire participants to design action plans they can apply in daily life, schools, and communities. Foster Intercultural Understanding and Tolerance: Bring together young people from Türkiye, Finland, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Jordan, Morocco, Hungary, and Egypt to live, work, and learn together. Through collaborative projects, discussions, and cultural exploration, participants will build friendships, break stereotypes, and develop mutual respect. Strengthen Social Inclusion and Empathy: Raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities through accessibility simulations (wheelchair and blindfold activities), inclusive workshops, and reflections on designing more accessible cities. Build Key Competences for Young People: Improve teamwork, problem-solving, communication, leadership, and digital creativity. Participants will be encouraged to lead workshops, deliver group presentations, and engage in community dialogues, including a youth-led interview with a local mayor. Empower Youth as Change-Makers: Support young people in realizing their role as multipliers of change, sharing project outcomes with peers, families, and communities through presentations, events, and local media. Planned Activities The 7-day exchange in Istanbul combines cultural exploration, environmental challenges, and non-formal learning. Planned activities include: Cultural Exploration: Guided visits to Istanbul’s Historical Peninsula, Topkapı Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the Grand Bazaar with treasure hunts, quizzes, and photo contests. Outdoor & Environmental Activities: Sea biking, cycling, paintball for teamwork, and a full-day eco-trip to the Yakacık natural area for hiking, photography, and group games. Workshops on Inclusion: Accessibility simulations and inclusive design exercises to deepen understanding of disability issues. Evening Discussions: Structured sessions to exchange reflections on eco-friendly living and social responsibility. Community Engagement: A student-led interview with a local mayor, published in a community magazine, and Q&A sessions with NGOs and people with disabilities. Intercultural Exchange: Ice-breaking games, intercultural evenings, and mixed-country working groups. Participants The project will bring together 36 young people aged 16–20 from partner countries, accompanied by facilitators and youth workers, making a total of 46 participants across two mobility activities. They will represent 8 partner organisations, which, together with the applicant Kartal Anadolu Lisesi, form a consortium of 9 organisations. Participants will be selected to ensure gender balance, diversity, and the inclusion of youth with fewer opportunities. Six teachers and ten trained student facilitators from Kartal Anadolu Lisesi will accompany the activities, ensuring guidance, educational support, and safety. Expected Results and Impact The project will generate lasting outcomes at multiple levels: For participants: enhanced intercultural communication, environmental awareness, empathy for disadvantaged groups, and strengthened competencies such as teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership. They will also gain personal growth in confidence, independence, and social responsibility. For partner organisations: innovative methods to integrate sustainability, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue into youth work practices, strengthening networks and capacity for future collaborations. For local communities: visibility of youth voices through published interviews, presentations, and dissemination activities, inspiring others to adopt inclusive and environmentally responsible practices. By linking environmental responsibility, cultural discovery, and social inclusion, the exchange strengthens young people’s role as engaged European citizens and global change-makers. The project ensures that those who might not normally access international mobility gain equal opportunities to learn, connect, and make a difference.