The “Soft Skills Lab” project aims to strengthen youth work practice by equipping young people and youth workers with practical emotional intelligence (EI) and soft skills that are essential for personal well-being, social inclusion, employability, and active citizenship. The project responds to challenges increasingly observed in youth work contexts, such as emotional stress, communication difficulties, low self-confidence, and limited opportunities for young people—especially those with fewer opportunities—to develop these competences in a safe and structured environment. From a youth work perspective, the project creates a supportive, inclusive, and intercultural learning space where non-formal education methods are used to help young people learn by doing, reflecting, and cooperating with peers. It also strengthens the role of youth workers as facilitators of emotional learning, inclusion, and participation. Overall Aim To empower young people, particularly those with fewer opportunities, to develop emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and resilience, enabling them to actively participate in their communities and take responsibility for their personal, social, and professional development. Specific Objectives 1. Strengthen emotional intelligence within youth work practice • Provide participants with practical tools to develop self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and stress management. • Promote emotional well-being as a core component of quality youth work. 2. Enhance communication and cooperation skills through non-formal learning • Develop soft skills such as active listening, constructive feedback, teamwork, and conflict resolution through experiential and peer-based methods. • Support intercultural dialogue and learning in diverse group settings. 3. Promote social inclusion and equal access to youth work opportunities • Ensure that at least 50% of participants are young people with fewer opportunities and create a safe, inclusive learning environment. • Strengthen youth workers’ capacity to reach, support, and empower marginalized young people. 4. Strengthen youth participation and leadership • Enable young people to actively co-create activities, lead sessions, and take responsibility during the exchange. • Encourage participants to design and implement follow-up actions in their local communities, increasing civic engagement. 5. Support the professional development of youth workers and group leaders • Provide ready-to-use tools (EI booklet, infographics, methods) that youth workers can integrate into their daily practice. • Improve facilitation, reflection, and YouthPass competence recognition skills. 6. Ensure sustainable impact in youth work practice • Create open-access educational resources that can be reused in future youth activities and international projects. • Build a long-term network of youth workers and young people committed to promoting emotional intelligence, well-being, and inclusion. By focusing on practical competences, inclusion, and youth participation, “Soft Skills Lab” strengthens the quality, relevance, and impact of youth work, supporting young people in becoming confident, resilient, and engaged members of society.