We want to carry out this project because many young people are expected to navigate disagreement in real life, within friend groups, classes, workplaces and local communities, without having practical tools for de-escalation, dialogue or peer mediation. In our youth work we repeatedly see the same pattern: small misunderstandings turn personal, groups split into sides, and young people either withdraw to avoid conflict or react impulsively, which increases tension. To avoid designing a project based on assumptions, we conducted a needs analysis with 47 valid respondents from Vidin, Argeș and Karlovy Vary. The findings point to a clear real-life competence gap. When conflict appears in their friend group/class/community, 38% of respondents say they usually avoid it rather than try to help, while a further 30% are neutral, showing that many young people either step back or feel unsure how to intervene constructively. In addition, only 21% report confidence in calming an argument without making it worse, and only 21% say they know at least two concrete de-escalation techniques; nearly half disagree. This means many young people face conflict regularly but lack a practical toolbox they can use in everyday situations. Importantly, motivation is very high: 79% believe their skills would improve through hands-on training, and most would join an international youth exchange to practice these competences in a safe, structured environment. In Argeș (RO), conflict is described as something that often escalates through online spaces, and many young people don’t feel confident stepping in to calm it down, so they need practical de-escalation practice that doesn’t rely on withdrawing. In Vidin (BG), the core issue is uncertainty, when tension appears, many don’t know what to say or do, so they need clear, repeatable steps and peer-mediation scripts they can apply immediately. In Karlovy Vary (CZ), many prefer to avoid disagreements and report the weakest toolbox of concrete techniques, so they need structured practice in face-to-face dialogue and mediation for everyday group situations. This reflects a wider societal trend toward insularity: the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer shows 70% of respondents are unwilling to trust those with different values/backgrounds, and only 39% seek diverse political information, limiting constructive dialogue. Eurostat reported that 49% of EU youth (16-29) encountered hostile online messages in 2023, highlighting the prevalence of hostile digital communication among young people (https://shorturl.at/yyWIx). This is why the project is built as a hands-on competence-building exchange where they have the space to repeatedly practice conflict mitigation and dialogue skills in safe, structured formats. What we are addressing: - low confidence in calming tense conversations without making them worse - lack of concrete de-escalation and mediation techniques - avoidance or withdrawal when conflict appears in real-life groups - difficulty holding respectful dialogue across differences - online escalation habits that affect offline relationships and group cohesion - fewer accessible learning opportunities for young people from small town/rural contexts and those with FO Overall objective: Strengthen young people’s capacity to prevent escalation and handle disagreements constructively online and offline, increasing inclusion, participation, and competence recognition through non-formal learning and Youthpass. Specific objectives: SO1: To increase young people’s ability to calm conflicts and use basic peer mediation among 30 participants (18-25) from Romania, Bulgaria and Czech Republic, through hands-on practice (role plays, mediation triads, simulations), so that ≥70% improve between baseline and final Form 1 (target +1/5 on confidence/calm communication items) and ≥80% reach a competent level on the practical rubric, by the end of the project. SO2: To increase perspective-taking and respectful dialogue among 30 participants (18-25) from RO, BG and CZ, through structured dialogue methods and intercultural teamwork, so that ≥75% improve between baseline and final Form 1 (empathy/perspective indicators), by the end of the project. SO3: To increase responsible communication and de-escalation in online conflict among 30 participants (18-25) from RO, BG and CZ, through the online conflict lab and scenario practice, so that ≥70% reach a passing threshold on Form 2, by the end of the project. Success is assessed through Form 1 (baseline + final) for confidence/attitudes and self-perceived competence growth, Form 2 for online conflict skill demonstration, and rubrics for observable performance in practical activities (mediation/dialogue/simulations). Daily reflection and feedback loops ensure participants also become aware of their progress and can document it in Youthpass, while also allowing the team to adjust the project in real time if learning needs are not being met.