Juventude de Vila Fonche is an organisation that has been working for almost 50 years in the fields of childhood and youth. In recent years, it has developed a range of activities and projects aimed at working with young people from Arcos de Valdevez and Ponte da Barca. Across all activities and projects coordinated by the organisation, or implemented through partnerships with other national and international entities, one of our main priorities is the involvement and personalised support of young people with fewer opportunities. Since 2018, we have been part of the Eurodesk Multipliers Network, which has enabled us to reach a larger number of young people and encourage their access to opportunities provided by the European Commission. During the annual “Time to Move” and “European Youth Week” campaigns, we run in-person sessions in local schools, encouraging young people to explore their role in society and in Europe. During these campaigns, many young people highlight that this opportunity is truly interesting; however, they also express that they can hardly take part because they lack the financial means to cover the additional costs associated with the activity (accommodation, food, insurance, leisure and learning activities, etc.). Another factor they point out as negatively affecting their participation is the difficulty of convincing their families to allow them to go on this “adventure” without being accompanied by a trusted adult who can guide them and ensure their physical and psychological well-being. In 2024, we implemented our first project under the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action (Erasmus+ KA1), entitled “Learning Through Europe”. This project involved 10 young people with fewer opportunities and had a very significant impact, enabling them to develop transversal competences such as self-confidence, teamwork and emotional management, while strengthening their sense of belonging to Europe. In 2025, we implemented another project under this action, entitled “Europe is on us”, reinforcing our experience in the DiscoverEU Inclusion Action and confirming the relevance of this type of project as a concrete tool for inclusion and equal opportunities. Taking into account the impact of the previous projects and the participants’ testimonials, we want to continue this work and broaden its reach. This is how “Bridges to Europe” emerged. This project aims to build bridges that connect young people with fewer opportunities to Europe, enabling them to acquire enriching competences and experiences and placing them on an equal footing with their peers, regardless of the difficulties and obstacles they face. “Bridges to Europe” is not seen as a travel experience, but above all as a process that allows participants to develop a real sense of belonging to Europe, while strengthening their social, personal and professional competences. Young people will be involved in all phases (preparation, mobility/travel and follow-up), taking part in decision-making and reflecting on their learning. The project will include several activities that will enrich the participating young people and contribute to building a more united and supportive Europe, while also strengthening our organisation’s capacity to implement inclusive mobilities with quality and in a sustainable way. The “Bridges to Europe” project has the following objectives: General objectives: - Promote inclusion and equal opportunities for young people with fewer resources, by providing mobility and learning experiences that contribute to their personal and social development; - Facilitate access to European opportunities for young people from geographically and socially disadvantaged areas, overcoming economic, social and cultural barriers, and promoting active European citizenship; - Develop transversal competences that are essential for young people’s personal and professional future, such as self-confidence, teamwork, planning, time management and communication. Specific objectives: - Promote equal opportunities by ensuring that economic, social or geographical barriers are minimised; - Develop European citizenship competences by encouraging young people to feel part of a shared space, sharing values, ideas and responsibilities; - Involve young people in educational and interactive activities that promote non-formal and informal learning; - Increase young people’s self-confidence and self-esteem, helping them strengthen their decision-making skills; - Raise awareness of sustainability and environmental protection, encouraging sustainable travel practices and eco-friendly behaviours; - Create dissemination and visibility moments in which participating young people share their experiences and learning with their peers.