The project aims to strengthen the capacity of youth workers in addressing the sensitive and complex topics of war and peace in diverse and heterogeneous groups, particularly focusing on Ukrainian protection seekers and youth in receiving countries. Recognizing the critical role youth workers have played in responding to the immediate needs of war-affected youth, this initiative addresses the current gap in resources for facilitating meaningful discussions. A cornerstone of the project is the introduction of Storytelling Rooms, enabling participants to share their lived experiences and perspectives. Collected narratives will serve as the foundation for developing a practical, adaptable toolkit tailored for youth workers that will offer user-friendly, tested methods for initiating and managing discussions about war and peace.
The methodologies developed will be piloted in participating countries and will draw on the expertise of a diverse consortium of organizations from six countries. By integrating lessons learned from Ukraine’s civil society, which has been addressing the challenges of war and displacement since 2014, the project ensures the transfer of valuable knowledge and best practices to the European context. The approach emphasizes collaboration, co-creation, and adaptability, ensuring that outcomes are applicable across different settings and scalable across Europe.
Project Goals
Ultimately, the project contributes to the broader objectives of enhancing youth work, supporting social cohesion, and promoting democratic values during war-affected times. It not only empowers youth workers with the tools to engage their communities constructively but also amplifies the voices of young protection seekers, fostering a culture of inclusion, dialogue, and peacebuilding. Through its transnational scope and collaborative framework, this initiative sets a new standard for youth work in times of crisis, addressing both immediate needs and long-term integration efforts.
Target Group(s)
The project targets three key groups: (1) youth affected by the war in Ukraine, including protection seekers and internally displaced persons (IDPs) now living in participating countries; (2) young people from host or receiving communities across Europe; and (3) youth workers who support these groups and require tools to navigate difficult conversations around war, trauma, and integration.
Planned Outcomes/Achievements
- Creation of safe, structured spaces – Storytelling Rooms – where young people can share their experiences, foster empathy, understanding, and recognition of diverse perspectives.
- A user-friendly, digital toolkit tailored for youth workers with varying levels of experience. The toolkit will include tested methods for facilitating discussions on war and peace.
- Trained youth workers that feel more confident in address complex topics.
