The BEYOND BARRIERS – Empathy, Wellbeing and Inclusive Europe project is designed to bridge the persistent gap between formal inclusion policies and the everyday social reality experienced by young people, particularly those with disabilities or fewer opportunities. Rather than focusing on individual limitations, the project targets the social, attitudinal, and communicational barriers that perpetuate exclusion through unconscious biases and environmental obstacles. These needs have been identified through partner organisations' youth work practice and direct consultations with young people, and are supported by research from the OECD and the European Commission's NESET framework, which identify social and emotional competences as key drivers for inclusive behaviour, social participation, and civic engagement (EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027, Youth Goals 3 and 5). From the perspective of youth work practice, the project pursues the following specific objectives: -Promoting the Social Model of Disability The project aims to shift participants' perspectives from seeing disability as a personal medical issue to understanding it as a socially constructed experience. By doing so, young people will learn to recognize and actively challenge the environmental and attitudinal barriers that limit full participation in society. -Developing Social and Emotional Competences Recognizing that limited emotional awareness often leads to exclusionary behavior, the project focuses on building empathy, emotional intelligence, and inclusive communication skills. Participants will develop the ability to regulate stress and engage constructively in diverse social settings, creating a foundation for emotional safety within groups. -Strengthening Mental Wellbeing as a Core Competence A primary objective is to equip youth with practical wellbeing tools, such as self-reflection and stress regulation. These are treated not just as personal benefits, but as essential drivers for inclusive behavior and active civic engagement. -Fostering Meaningful Participation and Co-creation In line with non-formal learning principles, the project moves away from treating young people as passive recipients. Instead, it empowers them as co-creators who contribute to all project phases — from needs identification to the development of the Inclusion & Empathy Toolkit. -Enhancing Intercultural Dialogue and European Values By working in mixed-nationality groups, the exchange seeks to break down stereotypes and strengthen respect for human dignity and diversity. This fosters a sense of belonging to the European project through lived experience rather than theoretical discussion. -Generating Tangible Value for the Youth Sector A key goal is the co-creation of an Inclusion & Empathy Toolkit. This practical resource translates learning outcomes into transferable methods that can be used by youth workers, schools, and community organizations to support high-quality, inclusive youth work across Europe.