On behalf of Free European Youth e.V., together with partner organisations across Europe, the project aims to strengthen resilient and confident leadership in youth work through mindful, embodied non-formal education methods. Partner organisations work directly with young people in diverse social, cultural, and digital contexts, where youth workers are increasingly expected to assume leadership roles without structured preparation. Partner consultations, internal reflections, and research identified a clear gap between youth workers’ responsibilities and the support available for personal leadership development. Youth workers frequently lead groups and manage conflicts under pressure without sufficient tools for emotional regulation and resilience. Eurofound (2023) reports that 45% of young Europeans face mental health gaps affecting engagement, while OECD (2022) ranks resilience among the top three required skills. Despite this, 78% of youth workers surveyed feel unprepared to teach these competences through non-verbal, non-formal methods. The project responds by providing practical, embodied leadership tools that address this gap. The needs assessment highlighted three key challenges: - Lack of structured leadership development, as many youth workers enter leadership roles informally without training in confidence, presence, and responsible decision-making; - High emotional and cognitive pressure, including stress, self-doubt, and reduced clarity, particularly in fast-changing digital environments; - Limited use of mindful and embodied methods, despite high appreciation for reflection and self-awareness, due to a lack of accessible, practical tools. These challenges underline the need for preventive, non-clinical approaches that strengthen leadership from within, rather than focusing solely on technical skills or crisis response. The project equips youth workers with mindful action competences that support confident, resilient, and responsible leadership. Mindful leadership in youth work is understood as being present, aware of personal limits and values, and able to act consciously in relation to group dynamics and young people’s needs. The main aim is to empower youth workers to develop resilient and confident leadership through mindful and embodied non-formal education methods applicable in everyday practice. Objectives and success indicators: 1: Strengthening self-awareness and confidence: Participants engage in structured reflection on leadership roles, boundaries, and decision-making through experiential learning. Indicators: at least 28 participants; 100% complete pre and post-assessments (self-assessment questionnaire); at least 80% report a minimum 20% increase in self-rated leadership confidence; each participant defines at least one personal leadership goal. 2: Building resilience and emotional regulation: Participants develop practical strategies to manage stress, emotional load, and uncertainty. Indicators: 100% participation in daily resilience practices; at least 75% improve stress-awareness and coping strategies; at least 80% apply at least two techniques within three months. 3: Developing mindful leadership tools for youth work: Participants co-create transferable non-formal education tools without therapeutic framing. Indicators: at least 10 activity formats developed; 100% co-design and facilitate one exercise; at least 80% confirm applicability in regular practice. 4. Strengthening youth work quality through reflective leadership: Reflective leadership supports inclusive, participatory, and safe learning environments. Indicators: at least 80% report improved group dynamics within six months; at least 50 young people reached; feedback collected from at least four partner organisations. 5. Ensuring transfer and long-term impact: Mindful leadership practices are embedded through local implementation and dissemination. Indicators: at least 80% implement one local activity within six months; all partners integrate at least one mindful leadership element; at least five dissemination or multiplier activities conducted. Success indicators are based on baseline self-assessment data collected before the training course and reflect realistic targets in voluntary youth work contexts. Progress will be measured through pre and post-training questionnaires, facilitator observation, participant reflection, and follow-up surveys three to six months after the activity. Our project responds to current challenges in youth work by strengthening leadership rooted in awareness, resilience, and responsible action, contributing to youth workers’ professional development and to more supportive learning environments for young people.