YOUTH PERSPECTIVE Do young people who are active in their schools, student councils, youth organizations, or scout and guide units truly realize how significant what they are already doing is? Do they notice that taking responsibility, involving other young people, listening, and encouraging others may seem like “everyday” or “small” actions, but in reality create substantial added value for the development of young people and local communities? Do active young people recognize that what they do is a form of peer leadership and active participation in everyday life? Are they aware of their role and do they feel confident enough in it? Do they notice that by doing a lot, it is not always possible to maintain balance and take care of themselves, and have they reflected on their well-being and ways to prevent burnout? Do these young people know that in other countries young people also dedicate their free time to engaging others, leading activities, supporting peers, and improving their environment? How do they do it, what methods and approaches do they use, what works particularly well for them, and what can we learn from these experiences? And do young people themselves find it important to be not only participants, but also active shapers of their communities? PERSPECTIVE OF PARTNER ORGANISATIONS AND COMMUNITIES The experience of partner organizations shows that so-called active young people often become the “engine” of their organization or group. They encourage others to get involved, help younger or less confident young people feel a sense of belonging, and demonstrate that being active is possible for everyone. Therefore, it is important for organizations not only to invite young people to participate, but also to purposefully support those who already take initiative, ensuring that their involvement is sustainable and based on mutual support rather than overload. Although active young people are often perceived as privileged because they are visible and involved in many activities, youth work experience shows the opposite – outside their familiar environment, these young people often feel insecure, fail to recognize their overload, and priorities the needs of others over their own for a long time. In practice, we have encountered young people who have lost motivation or experienced burnout for this reason, due to insufficient or untimely support. This is precisely why this youth exchange was created – by highly valuing the contribution of active young people in schools, student councils, scout units, and youth organizations, the project intentionally aims to support this group so that their involvement is sustainable, conscious, and healthy. The YOUTH BOOST project responds directly to these needs of young people, organizations, and communities. It is designed as a targeted investment in active young people aged 15–17 who are already engaged in their environment and can be considered peer leaders, even if they do not always recognize this themselves. The project creates a safe space to pause, reflect on one’s role, recognize personal boundaries, and strengthen self-confidence, while step by step developing skills that allow young people to remain active in a sustainable, joyful, and confident way. At the same time, the project invites young people to look one step further – to explore the non-formal education approach and understand what it means to be not only an active young person, but also a conscious peer leader, peer educator, and citizen who supports the development of other young people within their organization and community. OBJECTIVES The overall aim of the YOUTH BOOST project is to strengthen 24 young people from 4 countries as conscious peer leaders and educators by promoting peer learning, developing leadership skills, and fostering sustainable engagement in their organizations and communities without burnout. Specific objectives: To increase awareness of one’s role and impact as an active young person and peer leader. To develop leadership, cooperation, and peer education skills. To discover and test practical tools for strengthening mental well-being and preventing burnout. To exchange experiences, methods, and approaches, transferring and implementing the most useful ones in local communities. To build a long-term support network among active young people and organizations. To develop young people’s ability to recognize societal and community challenges beyond their everyday “bubble” and to promote active civic participation. This project is not a one-off event – it is an approximately ten-month learning process consisting of two youth exchanges and follow-up activities at local level. This structure allows for deeper investment in young people: not only inspiring them, but also giving them time to test skills in practice, receive support, consolidate their new role as peer leaders/educators, and continue their engagement in a way that does not harm their well-being i