In Europe Speaks: Public Speaking & Intercultural Dialogue, we want to strengthen young people’s ability to speak up for democracy in a respectful way, instead of staying silent or reacting with anger. In youth work practice, we often meet young people (16–25) who have strong opinions and care about fairness, but who avoid speaking in groups because of fear of judgement, low confidence, language insecurity, or negative experiences in school. At the same time, many are exposed daily to polarised online content, stereotypes, and hate speech, and they lack safe spaces to learn how to respond calmly and clearly. This project creates exactly this kind of safe non-formal learning space: young people practice speaking step-by-step, learn to listen and disagree without attacking, and build the courage to be visible in civic life (school councils, youth councils, community meetings, and online discussions). From the perspective of youth work, our objectives are practical and competence-based: 1. Confidence to speak (and manage anxiety): help participants feel safer speaking in front of others through gradual practice and supportive feedback culture. 2. Public speaking skills for real life: develop core skills such as structuring a message, storytelling, voice and body language, audience engagement, and handling questions, skills young people can use in school, job interviews, volunteering, and youth participation spaces. 3. Intercultural dialogue and respectful debate: strengthen active listening, empathy, and the ability to disagree without humiliation or aggression, by working in mixed-country teams and moderated dialogue formats. 4. Democracy and anti-hate speech competence: equip participants with practical ways to respond to hate speech and polarisation using democratic values, facts, calm language, and “counter-speech” messages that reduce harm and open dialogue. 5. Youth participation and leadership in practice: give young people real roles in the programme (moderators, hosts, presenters, facilitators of small exercises) so they experience responsibility, initiative, and visibility. 6. Inclusion and safe learning environment: ensure meaningful participation for young people with fewer opportunities through adapted methods, mentoring, buddy support, and clear safeguarding, so every voice can be heard. 7. Transfer to communities: support participants to continue after the exchange through follow-up actions in each country and a practical booklet with exercises and dialogue methods that can be reused in youth work settings.