With this project, we aim to make tangible—within a safe and supportive framework—what youth work stands for in terms of participation, empowerment, and non‑formal learning for 18‑year‑olds with fewer opportunities. Our goal is that a first, rail‑based international mobility should not be “just a trip”, but a deliberately structured learning process in which young people set their own goals, try themselves in activities and roles, and then reflect—naming what they learned—receiving recognition for it in the language of Youthpass. In practice, this means co‑creation: joint planning of the programme and daily schedule, step‑by‑step tasks aligned to individual commitments, a buddy system and rotating roles that provide genuine voice and responsibility. This makes our objectives concrete: increasing linguistic self‑efficacy in low‑risk speaking situations; building travel and financial literacy through shared daily budget management; growing intercultural competence via facilitated processing of encounters; developing digital and media literacy through photovoice and short storytelling; strengthening green decision‑making through rail mobility and responsible consumption; and deepening civic roles in the lived context of EU institutions. From a safeguarding perspective, we make “safe space” rules visible, enforce child and data protection, ensure a known complaints pathway, and provide 24/7 accessible adult support. Well‑being, as a precondition for learning, is present throughout: schedules are punctuated with breaks, venues are pre‑checked, and micro health‑promoting practices are embedded in daily routines. A key aim is to progressively raise participation: following Hart’s ladder of participation, we guide the group from information to genuine youth‑led initiative. Upon return they become peer mentors—preparing new applicants, leading workshops, and presenting their stories at a post‑mobility showcase. Thus, the objective is also to community‑embed the “mobility knowledge capital”, not merely to build individual portfolios. In line with the values of youth work, young people’s voices feature authentically in visibility activities; preparatory communication trainings ensure everyone can contribute through their strengths. Competence development is measurable and visible. We deliberately run the cycle of non‑formal learning (experience – reflection – conceptualisation – experimentation) end‑to‑end; with baseline and post self‑assessments, daily micro‑reflections, and concrete evidence (itineraries, receipts) to make progress explicit. Youthpass is treated as a process, not merely a certificate: we link concrete examples and proofs to key competences, and embed the certificate in participants’ Europass profiles and CVs so their skills function as “valid currency” in future study and work contexts. Another goal is to bridge experience and local community engagement. Learning at EU venues is translated into local action commitments (school student council work, community service, “green action day”), while sustainability choices become part of everyday life. In terms of career orientation, the Brussels context is a real‑world learning arena: mini‑projects tied to logistics, commerce, business, and IT strengthen professional identity and labour market relevance. At organisational level, we also upskill the teaching staff: safeguarding and risk management are embedded into everyday work, so after the project we can provide a better, more inclusive, learning‑centred environment. In summary, the project’s objectives—in the language of youth work—are to raise participation, enable empowerment, recognise non‑formal learning, and practise inclusion. We achieve this through safe, supportive frameworks, clear roles and shared decisions, and measurable competence growth—so that the experience becomes both a turning point in young people’s lives and a lasting capacity gain for the institution and the local community.