We would like to start first by explaining the meaning behind our project title "BALANCE 42" which reflects the core focus of our Youth Exchange on mental well-being, emotional stability, and the search for meaning during periods of change and uncertainty. The concept of “balance” represents the process of regaining inner stability and emotional regulation, particularly relevant for young people with a migration background. The number 42 (being the total number of youths involved in the project) is used symbolically to represent the universal human search for meaning and purpose in life, a theme widely recognized through cultural references such as Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where 42 is presented as the answer to life’s fundamental questions. Within the project, this symbolism is translated into a reflective youth work approach, encouraging participants to explore what balance, purpose, and well-being mean in their own lives. By implementing BALANCE 42, we aim to support young people with a migration background in strengthening their emotional resilience, mental well-being, and sense of belonging through high-quality youth work practices based on non-formal education. The project responds to the growing emotional pressure faced by young people affected by migration, displacement, cultural transition, and identity challenges, which often remain insufficiently addressed in formal education systems. From our youth work perspective, the main objective of the project is to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment where young people can develop emotional self-awareness and better understand migration-related stress. Through carefully designed non-formal activities, participants will explore how stress manifests emotionally and physically, learn to normalise these experiences, and move away from stigma, self-blame, or silence around mental health. A key objective is to equip the 42 participants with practical coping, mindfulness, and stress management tools that they can apply in everyday life beyond the duration of the Youth Exchange. These tools are developed through experiential workshops, reflection, creative expression, body-based practices, and peer learning, ensuring that learning outcomes are concrete, transferable, and sustainable over time. Another central objective is to strengthen peer support, trust, and a sense of belonging among young people from different cultural and migration backgrounds. By working in mixed international groups and engaging in dialogue-based and creative activities, participants build meaningful connections, reduce feelings of isolation, and experience diversity as a resource rather than a barrier. This peer-based approach reflects core youth work values of participation, solidarity, and mutual learning. Finally, the project aims to empower participants to actively engage in their personal development and community life by increasing emotional stability, confidence, and agency. Through reflection, Youthpass-based learning recognition, and follow-up planning, young people are supported to transfer what they learn into their local contexts, becoming more resilient, self-aware, and capable of contributing positively to their communities. Overall, BALANCE 42 contributes to strengthening youth work responses to mental well-being challenges among young people with a migration background, while promoting inclusion, active participation, and sustainable learning in line with Erasmus+ Youth priorities and values.