Back to search

Differences Build the Strongest Bridges

2025-3-TR01-KA153-YOU-0003706032025Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: TR|BG|HU|RS|RO · Grant: €31,086
Key competences developmentBridging intercultural, intergenerational and social dividePreventing racism and discrimination

Objectives

In recent years, the increase in cultural discrimination, forced migrations, and hostility toward history has been revealed by many reports and statistics worldwide. According to the 2024 data of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has exceeded 120 million, reaching the highest level in modern history. During the same period, reports from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) show that the rate of young people with migrant and refugee backgrounds experiencing discrimination has risen to as high as 40%. UNESCO emphasizes that attacks on cultural heritage and the destruction of historical values are increasing not only in conflict zones but also in regions where social polarization is high. The rise of far-right movements globally, xenophobia, and exclusionary policies targeting ethnic identities have especially led to the reinforcement of prejudices among young people. All these statistics clearly demonstrate that protecting multiculturalism and combating discrimination is a necessity not only at the local level but also on a global scale. The main objective of implementing this project is to support the personal development of youth workers and to enable them to become more conscious, well-equipped, and creative individuals in the areas of multicultural life, a culture of peace, and inclusivity in their work with young people. By carrying out this project, our fundamental aim is to ensure that youth workers approach the challenges of multicultural societies in a more informed and prepared way. Activities to be carried out in Bitlis, a city where different cultures, beliefs, and communities have historically coexisted, will provide participants with valuable gains both theoretically and practically. These gains will be directly applicable in the fields of intercultural learning, inclusion, and peacebuilding, which are among the most important areas of youth work. Our goal is for youth workers to internalize the concepts of multiculturalism and social peace not only as abstract ideas but as concrete methods that they can apply in their daily work with young people. Often, prejudices, minor disagreements stemming from identity differences, or communication breakdowns may occur among young people. With this project, it is aimed that youth workers will be able to develop the right attitude in such situations, address conflicts in a transformative way, and design inclusive activities that bring together different cultures. Our project also aims to provide youth workers with new tools. For example, methods of peace education, techniques of intercultural dialogue, anti-discrimination tools, and creative approaches such as storytelling will be addressed during the training process. In this way, participants will be able to share the knowledge and skills they have acquired with young people when they return to their regions, creating a much broader impact at the local level. From the perspective of youth work, this will strengthen not only young people’s social cohesion but also their self-confidence and democratic participation. Another important objective is to strengthen the international connections of youth workers and enhance the sense of solidarity. Participants from different countries will experience the multicultural structure of Bitlis together, developing new ideas that they can implement in their own countries and gaining motivation to produce joint projects. Thus, the project will not be limited to Bitlis but will become a source of inspiration for youth work across Europe. In conclusion, if the objectives of our project are summarized in terms of youth work practices, they are: enabling youth workers to gain competence in multiculturalism, inclusivity, peace, and dialogue; offering more equal and inclusive opportunities to young people from different communities; contributing to the breaking of prejudices; and supporting the democratic participation of young people. These goals are designed to serve not only individual development but also the strengthening of social peace.

Project partners (5)