Linked to its UN ECOSOC Special Consultative Status, GEYC is making efforts in building bridges across Europe's borders, by strengthening cross-regional cooperation and fostering meaningful connections between diverse communities situated at Europe's borders across the Western Balkans,
Eastern Europe,
the Mediterranean region,
and in the Special Territories of the EU member states.
Through various initiatives across all four portfolios, GEYC embodies the fundamental European values of inclusivity, intercultural dialogue, and democratic participation while addressing pressing challenges facing today's youth. By creating platforms for knowledge exchange and capacity building, GEYC empowers young people and civil society organizations to become agents of positive change in their communities. The organization's commitment to bridging geographical and cultural divides manifests through innovative methodologies that combine digital tools with hands-on learning experiences, enabling participants to develop critical thinking skills and counter harmful narratives.
We noticed that the young people living at the Europe’s borders share similar challenges and concerns:
They feel disconnected from the European discussions, Brussels is seen as too far away from them and they feel that their voice doesn’t matter to European decision making. According to the 2022 Flash Eurobarometer on Youth, 58% of young people across Europe feel that their concerns are not adequately addressed by EU policies. This sentiment of exclusion is even more pronounced in rural and border regions, where civic engagement opportunities remain limited. Furthermore, only 46% of young people believe their opinions are taken into account in EU decision-making, highlighting a gap in youth inclusion at the European level.
Most of the regions are facing economic development challenges, unemployment, their economy is dependent mostly on one sector: industry, agriculture or tourism, making them vulnerable to economic shocks. According to Eurostat, GDP per capita in the EU’s border regions was 86% of the EU average in 2021. Youth unemployment in these areas remains a pressing issue; as of February 2025, the youth unemployment rate in the EU was 14.5%, but in some border regions, it exceeds 20%. This economic fragility is compounded by limited diversification and cross-border administrative barriers, which further hinder economic growth and job creation.
Most young people’s educational prospects often lead young people to migrate to larger educational hubs. Those who remain may find themselves limited to gigs and precarious jobs at the regional level, reflecting a lack of diverse employment opportunities and career advancement prospects. The European Commission’s 2023 report on "Brain Drain and Population Decline" highlights that rural and border regions are disproportionately affected by youth emigration, with some regions losing up to 10% of their youth population annually. Additionally, Europuls data shows that approximately 30% of young people in disadvantaged regions are engaged in temporary or part-time work, reflecting a lack of diverse employment opportunities and career advancement prospects.
Recognizing these challenges, young people have actively participated in shaping the future of territorial cooperation. During the “Youth for Future Cooperation – On the road to Interreg GO!” event held in Brussels in November 2024, 100 young participants formulated a declaration containing seven recommendations aimed at enhancing cross-border collaboration. These recommendations address issues such as improving educational opportunities, mental health support, and economic development in border regions.
GEYC's work transcends traditional boundaries by nurturing sustainable partnerships between organizations from different regions, creating a robust network that amplifies youth voices and promotes shared solutions to common challenges. Through these collaborative efforts, GEYC contributes significantly to advancing regional stability, fostering mutual understanding, and cultivating a new generation of engaged citizens who uphold the principles of tolerance, sustainability, and civic participation that lie at the heart of a united and peaceful Europe.
SDGs on focus
Our efforts in numbers
Region
Where we have been active
# of mobilities since 2016
# of volunteers hosted since 2022
Western Balkans
Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia
26
0
Eastern Neighbourhood
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Russia
Fostering resilient democracies and youth-led innovation across Eastern Europe, where GEYC builds capacity for digital citizenship and strengthens civil society as vital partners in the region's European journey.
Key Initiatives:
Overview
The "Regional Workshop on Developing the Capacity of the CSOs from the Black Sea Region in Implementing the Development Effectiveness Principles/ODA Transparency and Effectiveness" was developed by GEYC at the request of the Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND, with funding from the CPDE-SIDA Programme. The workshop emerged as organizations were recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing their need to enhance capacity for planning and assessing engagement in International Development Cooperation with focus on transparency and accountability.
Programme details
Conducted between May-June 2021, the workshop featured five learning modules delivered through online training and coaching/mentoring. Content focused on innovative approaches in development assistance, mapping practices, effectiveness principles, impact and accountability automation, digital transformation, and building sustainable partnerships.
Target groups
The initiative primarily served CSO representatives from the Black Sea NGO Forum, especially those from the Sustainability & Resilience Working Group. Participants came from both EU and non-EU countries including Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Romania, and Russia.
Results & impact
The workshop successfully equipped participants with practical tools and methods while creating space for idea exchange and relationship building. The comprehensive learning structure provided theoretical knowledge, practical application opportunities, and individualized support through optional coaching sessions, creating a well-rounded capacity building experience for participating organizations from across the Black Sea region. The final session focused on establishing foundations for future partnerships, with participant feedback highlighting the value of peer-to-peer support and targeted coaching addressing organization-specific challenges. A notable outcome was participants' expressed interest in developing more open collaboration with donors and support institutions.
A key deliverable was the development of a specialized Toolkit on ODA Transparency and Effectiveness, created within the framework of the CPDE-SIDA Programme "Promoting the Universal Application of EDC for The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." This Toolkit serves as a lasting resource for CSOs in the region to implement development effectiveness principles in their work.
The Project Management Academy (PMA) is an initiative developed under the broader project “Building CSO Capacity for Regional Cooperation within the Black Sea Region,” implemented by the Romanian NGDO Platform – FOND in collaboration with GEYC, with financial support from the Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation (BST), a project of the German Marshall Fund. The Academy is designed to strengthen the sustainability and organisational resilience of civil society organisations by enhancing project management skills tailored to CSO professionals.
Programme details
The Academy combined structured online learning with practical engagement. It comprised a series of eight interactive video-conference sessions (each approximately 1.5 hours) focusing on non-formal education methodologies, digital engagement, and practical project management instruments. This format was supplemented by rich multimedia resources available through an online platform to support networking, communication, and collaborative learning. Participants also had access to one-to-one coaching sessions tailored to their organisational needs delivered by experienced trainers.
Target groups
The programme was addressed to professionals responsible for planning and implementing project activities within civil society organisations – including Project Managers, Project Coordinators, Project Officers, and Programme Directors – seeking to increase organisational resilience and competency in project management across diverse operational contexts in the Black Sea region.
Results & impact
PMA facilitated knowledge exchange and practical skill development among CSO representatives. Structured learning modules and coaching contributed to enhanced capacity in project planning, budgeting, risk management, impact assessment, and fundraising. The online platform served as a repository for resources and a collaborative space for participants. Networking activities fostered connections across CSOs from multiple countries, and participants benefited from both peer-to-peer interaction and expert guidance, strengthening organisational practices and enabling lasting engagement beyond the programme timeline.
The "Support Moldova" programme (2016-2018) was initiated by GEYC to strengthen Moldova's European integration by developing skills among youth, NGOs, and public authorities. This strategic initiative aligned with the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, preceded Romania's 2019 EU Council Presidency, supported Romania's Cooperation Programme for Development objectives, and integrated with the PRISMA European Network strategy.
The programme demonstrated a systematic approach to supporting Moldova's European integration through capacity building, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships across multiple sectors.
Programme details
The programme launched on August 31, 2016 (Romanian Language Day) and ran until December 31, 2018.
It used the social media hashtag #SupportMoldova to increase visibility and engagement.
The programme showed consistent progress over its implementation period. In 2018, it conducted the Cultural Mapping of Chișinău project. 2017 saw an official Moldova visit, SMARTER Academy training, and the "Promoters for European Democracy" program. In 2016, activities included SMARTER Academy Moldova, EQYP project participation, GEYC Community Moldova founding, exchange of good practices, official visits, and cooperation agreements. Earlier groundwork in 2015 included training participation, PRISMA European Network launch, and digital skills development initiatives
Target groups
The initiative focused on young people (18-25 years) from Romania and Moldova, particularly those with fewer opportunities. It also targeted NGOs in both countries, especially youth organizations and those focused on strengthening the rule of law.
Objectives
The programme had two main objectives. First, it aimed to empower youth in Romania and Moldova by enhancing their competencies for better competitiveness in the European labor market and increasing their community participation. Second, it sought to strengthen NGOs as crucial factors in upholding the rule of law.
Activities
The programme implemented various activities including training programs, NGO empowerment initiatives, mobility programs, and exchange of good practices and expertise transfer between the two countries.
Results & impact
The initiative set ambitious targets including informing 1,000 Moldovan youth about development opportunities through GEYC Community, training 200 young Moldovans for improved labor market competitiveness, implementing 10 youth-focused events in Moldova, empowering 50 Moldovan NGOs through assistance and best practice exchange, involving 100 young people, NGO and public authority representatives in EU mobility programs, and engaging 5 Moldovan public authorities in structured dialogue processes.
"European Quality in Youth Projects (EQYP)" is a mobility of youth workers under Erasmus+ (Eastern Partnership), KA1, Youth aimed to train youth workers in the quality management field and to develop a quality standard for youth projects (called "EQYP"). The project will include a training course aimed to tackle the main fields of focus regarding youth project quality and a seminar during which a European Quality Standard will be created. The project is implemented by 11 organisations leaded by GEYC and is co-financed by the European Commission through Erasmus+ programme.
Programme details
Youth works lacks quality in certain cases due to the low level of expertise in some fields of the people working with youth. We have identified 5 key areas of focus in youth projects:
Non-Formal Learning: Implementing methodologies that prioritize experiential and participant-centered education.
Projects Management: Ensuring efficient planning, execution, and monitoring of project activities.
Partnerships: Building and maintaining strategic collaborations across the consortium and local stakeholders.
PR & Communication: Managing the visibility of the initiative and the effective dissemination of project results.
Financial Planning: Overseeing budgetary alignment and ensuring the sustainable allocation of resources.
Target groups
The initiative successfully brought together 33 participants for A1 and 15 participants for A2, including three representatives from each of the partner countries—Armenia, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Moldova, Turkey, and Romania—alongside 11 youth organizations, specifically engaging a professional cohort of youth workers, leaders, project managers, and trainers.
Objectives
O1: Quality Improvement – To improve the quality of European youth projects, especially within the Erasmus+ context, by focusing on five key areas: non-formal learning, project management, partnerships, PR & Communication (visibility and dissemination of results), and financial planning.
O2: Digital Transformation – To enhance the digital dimension of youth work through the strategic integration of ICT tools.
O3: Strategic Cooperation – To enforce and expand European cooperation in the youth field, specifically within the Erasmus+ framework.
O4: Cultural Awareness – To raise awareness and foster appreciation regarding the vast landscape of European cultural diversity.
Activities
A1: Training Course – A 9-day training course held in Bucharest, Romania (May 2016), focused on providing participants with a deep understanding of the theoretical aspects of project management as they relate to quality.
A2: Specialized Seminar – A 4-day seminar in Yerevan, Armenia (September 2016), designed to train participants in Total Quality Management (TQM) and resulting in the development of the European Quality Standard.
Multiplication Campaign – A localized initiative aimed at sharing the acquired expertise and outputs with the wider community at the local level.
Results & impact
During the project we have launched EQYP quality standard.
PRISMA (Projects: Resources, Insights and Management - a Social Media Approach) was a complex KA1 mobility project aiming to empower youth workers, youth leaders and project managers from 22 youth organisations from 12 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania and Turkey - European Union and Moldova, Ukraine and Armenia- Eastern Europe & Caucasus) to raise their project management efficiency through social media tools and networking.
Target groups
Youth workers, project managers, youth leaders from European and neighboring countries (Eastern Europe).
Objectives
O1: Digital Empowerment – To empower participants in the effective use of social media tools for comprehensive project management, focusing on collaborative work, time management, internal communication, and visibility.
O2: Network Building – To create a robust European network of organizations dedicated to developing their organizational capacity through the strategic use of social media tools.
O3: Strategic Cooperation – To promote the Erasmus+ framework, encouraging participants to leverage the program to develop and launch future collaborative projects.
O4: Cultural Promotion – To foster and promote cultural diversity within a broader European context.
Activities
A1: Training Course – Held from November 29 to December 7, 2014, in Bucharest, Romania, with 40 participants focused on foundational skill-building.
A2: Seminar – Hosted from April 16 to 20, 2015, in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, bringing together 28 participants for intensive specialized sessions.
Dissemination Phase – Spanning from January to July 2015, this period was dedicated to the wide-scale sharing and implementation of project results.
Bridging historical divides through youth engagement and democratic participation in the Western Balkans, where GEYC nurtures the next generation of changemakers committed to regional cooperation and European integration. Since February 2026, GEYC has been nominated Head of the Romanian Network at Anna Lindh Foundation by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign affairs, facilitating in this capacity the intercultural dialogue in the region.
Key Initiatives:
Overview
The BeeEffect Programme aims to gather a diverse group of young professionals with great impact-making potential and to provide a carefully designed experience developed and led by beeEFB alumni members, with the goal to equip them with a unique set of knowledge, skills and networking opportunities and provide avenues for them to create impact in their communities. Our General Manager Gabriel Brezoiu is one of the fellows of the 4th cohort of the programme.
"DEMPOD: Democratic Participation and Civic Engagement for young people in the Balkans through podcasts and vidcasts" is an Erasmus+ Virtual Exchange Project running from January 2024 to December 2026. The project is led by Action Synergy (Greece) in partnership with BRAVO (Bosnia Herzegovina), Prona (Montenegro), and Together for Life (Albania). DEMPOD specifically targets the Western Balkans region, addressing three key challenges: low levels of political participation, inadequate media literacy, and insufficient representation of youth perspectives in media.
Programme details
DEMPOD aims to empower disadvantaged youth to use podcasts as tools in their local contexts to increase civic engagement and participation in democratic life. The project has a particular focus on the Western Balkans, a region with unique historical, political, and social contexts where youth engagement in democratic processes is especially crucial for sustainable development and regional stability.
The project places special emphasis on the Western Balkans, a region with a complex history of conflict and ongoing democratic transition. By focusing on this specific geographic area, DEMPOD addresses the unique challenges faced by young people in post-conflict societies and aims to strengthen democratic values and civic participation through innovative media tools. The cross-border nature of the project promotes regional cooperation and understanding among young people from different Western Balkan countries, contributing to peace-building and regional integration efforts.
Through these activities, DEMPOD seeks to transform podcasting from a mere entertainment medium into a powerful tool for civic engagement, giving voice to disadvantaged youth in the Western Balkans and enabling them to actively participate in democratic processes that shape their communities and region.
Project objectives
Build the capacity of youth workers and youth organizations to use podcasts as tools for increasing civic engagement among their target groups
Increase the participation of young people as agents of change in civil society through the creation and dissemination of podcasts
Augment the use of podcast spaces for communicating the voices of young men and women as agents of change in civil society at community, regional, national, and international levels
Target groups
Trainers, facilitators, and youth workers working with young people with fewer opportunities and in post-conflict situations across the Western Balkans
Young people affected by conflict in the region
Local authorities, NGOs, and media organizations (for dissemination and sustainability purposes)
Results & impact
Needs Analysis: A comprehensive assessment of youth needs in Western Balkan partner countries
Best Practices Collection: A compilation showcasing effective use of podcasts and other innovative methods for promoting democracy
Educational Materials: Methodology, curriculum, and lesson plans about podcasts and vidcasts as educational tools to increase participation, translated into national languages of partner countries
E-Learning Platform: Development of a digital learning environment to support the project activities
Webinar Series: 12 webinars reaching 200 youths on podcasting techniques and civic engagement
Podcast Festival: A 5-day online event gathering 1,000 participants, featuring podcast contests, live discussions between young podcasters, debates on podcast content, masterclasses, workshops, and opportunities to pitch podcast ideas to professionals
In the frame of the conference "How to better respond to European aspirations of the young generation in the Western Balkans?” held in Bucharest on 28-29th of May 2019 under the auspices of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, over 200 representatives of youth organizations, social workers, young entrepreneurs, researchers, students, experts from Western Balkans and the European Union met to explore creative ways to amplify the role of youth in supporting the transformation of the Western Balkans.
Objectives
Empowerment: Explore creative ways to inspire and empower young people in finding/improving their professional prospects in their own countries while restating the support for the European perspective of Western Balkans.
Dialogue: Facilitate the establishment of a long-lasting dialogue among young professionals from the local administration and civil society, entrepreneurs, academics, youth organizations from WB and EU, thus contributing to a better mutual understanding and attachment to the European values.
Knowledge Transfer: Enable the transfer of best practices and sharing of expertise among young professionals in the process of economic reforms, democratization and civic participation.
Trust & Resilience: Raise awareness on the need to build trust and resilience, while contributing to the reconciliation efforts.
Strategic Support: Support the implementation of the Enlargement Strategy (Commission’s Communication from 6 February 2018) and its flagship initiatives, as well as of the Sofia Priority Agenda (EU-Western Balkans Summit, Sofia, 17 May 2018).
Cooperation Models: Take stock of the European and regional strategic development framework for youth and offer models of cooperation and good practices to be promoted and further scaled up.
Results and Impact
Our colleague, Gabriel Brezoiu was one of the speakers in the Panel 4: "From traditional participation mechanisms to e-participation. Challenges and opportunities of the online world: cyber resilience, countering hate speech and fake news" that led to the conclusions below:
Democratic Rights: Young citizens have a right to a democratic and pluralist society, respecting the equal dignity of all human beings, striving for gender equality and eradicating poverty.
Fundamental Freedoms: Young people are committed to realizing the fundamental rights and freedoms of everyone, developing democracy, and upholding the rule of law.
Social Concerns: Young people are particularly concerned by the resurgence of racism, xenophobia, the development of a climate of intolerance, and the increase in acts of violence.
Youth Policy Support: Support comprehensive youth policies that foster empathy and tolerance, while stimulating critical thinking and European citizenship.
Embracing Diversity: Young people need opportunities to embrace the diversity of traditions and cultures—essential guarantees for an open society.
Media Literacy: As a key challenge in the digital age, media literacy must become an inter-generational exercise to secure freedom of expression, navigate information disorder, and counter hate speech.
History Education: History plays a vital role in confronting political and social challenges, specifically regarding reconciliation in the Western Balkans. Council of Europe principles should guide the expertise needed for meaningful education in the region.
Combating Disinformation: Since the Western Balkans are highly vulnerable to disinformation, a pro-active approach is required—providing positive narratives and placing people at the center of the conversation.
Trust & Governance: There is a critical need to address the lack of trust in governments; while e-participation is a valuable tool, it is not a substitute for traditional politics and education.
Ongoing Initiatives: Various programs, such as "Young Digital Leaders," continue to contribute significantly to increasing awareness and improving media literacy.
The Second Europe-Western Balkans Youth Meeting was a seminar held from May 23–25, 2018, in Podgorica, Montenegro. It focused on evaluating the impact of the Berlin Process—a political initiative started in 2014 to aid the European integration of Western Balkan countries—specifically within the youth sector.
Objectives
The meeting aimed to bridge the gap between youth work practice and high-level policy by focusing on three interlinked themes: youth participation, civic education, and social inclusion. Key goals included:
Stocktaking: Reviewing initiatives and projects implemented since the start of the Berlin Process in 2014.
Impact Assessment: Evaluating the effectiveness of these projects and sharing "inspiring practices."
Policy Influence: Formulating recommendations and "key messages" to inform the 2018 London Summit and other political processes regarding the European integration of the Western Balkans.
Erasmus+ Synergy: Exploring how the Erasmus+ programme and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) could further support reconciliation and regional development.
Results and Impact
In the context of the event, GEYC led a needs assessment among youth organisations in order to get a better understanding and to consolidate further cooperation.
This project’s overall objective is to raise the standards of journalism and blogging, making them more gender sensitive and also to strengthen the human capacity of the NGO’s and their partnership with media in the partner countries. This is part of the process of enhancing democracy, good governance and human rights, while promoting professionalism and editorial independence.
The Balkans without Hate Project was organized by 35mm NGO and co-financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Program, Key Action 2 - Capacity building in the field of youth. GEYC partnered with six other NGOs from six Balkan countries to implement this initiative. The project explored how young people and youth work could benefit from creating genuine youth documentaries focused on multicultural societies.
Programme details
The project focused on exploring multicultural concepts in the Balkans and modern Europe while developing youth skills in non-violent communication, critical thinking, and media production. It aimed to highlight positive examples of multiculturalism and reduce nationality-based hate speech and violence among youth. As part of the dissemination activities, GEYC initiated four major programs: the 2nd edition of the Fellowship for Human Rights, the EQUALIS Campaign, the Hate Speech Survey in Europe (HaSpe), and the 2nd edition of the European Digital Youth Summit (EDYS 2016).
The Fellowship for Human Rights (2nd edition) was a 5-month innovative program engaging four fellows in training, research, and creating opportunities to promote Human Rights. One of the fellows led a literature review essay on hate speech online titled "No Hate Speech and No Hate Speech Movements: Fighting Words – Between Hate Crime and Freedom of Speech."
Project objectives
Build the capacity of youth workers and youth organizations to use podcasts as tools for increasing civic engagement among their target groups
Increase the participation of young people as agents of change in civil society through the creation and dissemination of podcasts
Augment the use of podcast spaces for communicating the voices of young men and women as agents of change in civil society at community, regional, national, and international levels
Target groups
The project targeted young people across the Balkans, focusing on building understanding between different nationalities and cultures. The EQUALIS Campaign specifically involved teachers and students from Romania, while the European Digital Youth Summit brought together youngsters, educators, youth workers, and policy makers from five countries. The Hate Speech Survey in Europe aimed to gather perspectives from young people across the continent, with materials available in English, Romanian, and Montenegrin.
Results & impact
The EQUALIS Campaign (September 21 - December 10, 2016) successfully organized 70 events throughout Romania, involving 50 educational institutions. Activities ranged from workshops and flashmobs to artistic expression, debates, marches, and role plays, all aimed at combating bullying in schools and raising awareness about the no hate speech movement.
The Hate Speech Survey in Europe (HaSpe) was completed by November 15, 2016, with final results released on December 10, 2016. This research initiative identified youngsters' perceptions about hate speech, particularly online hate speech, and their perceived role in addressing it.
The European Digital Youth Summit (EDYS) 2nd edition was held on November 10, 2016, in Bucharest, under the High Patronage of the European Parliament and the Patronage of the Slovak Presidency at the Council of EU. The event focused on no hate speech and youth participation, bringing together over 80 participants from five countries. It received support from the European Parliament Information Office in Romania, No Hate Speech Movement, UNITED, PRISMA European Network, and the "Support Moldova" programme.
Through these initiatives, the project successfully raised awareness about multicultural concepts, improved youth skills in non-violent communication, and contributed to decreasing nationality-based hate speech among young people in the Balkans region.
Cultivating sustainable development and intercultural dialogue across the Mediterranean, where GEYC creates platforms for youth-led solutions addressing shared challenges from climate change to economic opportunity. Since February 2026, GEYC has been nominated Head of the Romanian Network at Anna Lindh Foundation by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign affairs, facilitating in this capacity the intercultural dialogue in the region.
Key Initiatives:
Overview
Diana Ionita, Head of Digital at GEYC, participated in the Anna Lindh Foundation Forum 2025 held in Tirana, Albania, 18-20 June 2025. The forum brought together approximately 800 participants from 43 countries, including civil society organizations, academic institutions, young leaders, media representatives, government officials, and policymakers to address challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
The No-Hate Embassy is a 2-year KA2 cooperation partnership co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Union. The project establishes collaboration between six organizations from both Mediterranean shores, focusing on youth as the main target group and working on intercultural dialogue and peace building. The consortium is led by the Center of Intercultural Understanding (France) in partnership with MIHI (Egypt), Euromed EVE (Tunisia), Masterpeace (Morocco), Coconut (Italy), and GEYC (Romania). This diverse partnership aims to create long-term benefits in each organization's local and national communities by leveraging different approaches and realities.
Programme details
Running from March 2024 to December 2025, the No-Hate Embassy project advances the values of tolerance, inclusion, and diversity, which are considered horizontal aspects for addressing youth radicalization and the spread of hate speech. The project incorporates a digital dimension by training participants and building the capacity of involved Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on digital tools to foster civic engagement while enhancing online digital skills.
The project aims to consolidate bonds of solidarity to promote inclusion and intercultural dialogue in the Euro-Arab space while developing critical thinking among young people in approaching online information and preventing the proliferation of hate speech.
Project objectives
Build the capacity of youth workers and youth organizations to use podcasts as tools for increasing civic engagement among their target groups
Increase the participation of young people as agents of change in civil society through the creation and dissemination of podcasts
Augment the use of podcast spaces for communicating the voices of young men and women as agents of change in civil society at community, regional, national, and international levels
Target groups
The primary target groups for the No-Hate Embassy project are:
Youth workers who will be trained to become no-hate ambassadors within their communities
Young people aged 18-25 years who will benefit from tools for digital prevention and counter-narration
Civil Society Organizations around the Mediterranean that can play an important role in limiting hate speech
Results & impact
The project will deliver several concrete results:
Comparative Study on Hate Speech: A comprehensive assessment of hate-speech narratives and realities in the online space within the involved countries, outlining prevention measures.
Training Course on Critical Thinking: Training youth workers on how to stimulate critical thinking among their target groups (18-25 year-olds) in approaching online information, detecting problematic narratives, and developing appropriate responses.
Publication of Manual/Guidelines for CSOs: A comprehensive resource encompassing both findings from the comparative study and insights from the training course, designed to support CSOs in their work against hate speech.
Fellowship on Deconstructing Hate Speech Narratives: An online communication campaign led by selected youth workers during a 6-month fellowship. The fellows will receive training and guidance from experts in hate speech. The fellowship will consist of a year-long learning process with three blended mobilities, strengthening the online campaign and empowering the CSOs responsible for it.
Through these activities, the project will build bridges between different groups and communities, promote positive messages and narratives that emphasize shared values and common interests, engage in advocacy efforts, promote digital media literacy, and encourage ethical standards for reporting on sensitive issues.
The "Enhance Your Capacity Academy" digital programme was designed to provide middle-level staff from NGOs and civil society organizations in the EuroMed region with hands-on project management experience. The programme offered both a theoretical framework that participants could customize to their specific needs through coaching and networking opportunities, as well as platforms for expanding partnerships and exchanging good practices. The Academy was developed within the ALF Hands-On framework, a dynamic Capacity Enhancement Programme by the Anna Lindh Foundation, designed to empower Civil Society Organisations in the field of Intercultural Dialogue, within the framework of the Action Grant NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2022/434-371, in accordance with the Anna Lindh Foundation Multiannual Work Programme 2022-2025.
Programme details
The Academy delivered two rounds of training, each consisting of 18 hours, conducted in February and March. The curriculum covered nine essential topics: Organizational networking, Project planning and management (PMBOK approach), Staff management, Impact assessment, Budgeting, Fundraising, Risk management, Sustainability & follow-up, and Coaching.
Project objectives
The programme employed a blended learning approach, mixing asynchronous tasks and individual reflection on theoretical inputs with interactive live sessions. This e-learning methodology proved effective in reaching wider and more diverse participant profiles while transcending geographical barriers. The non-formal education methodology used throughout the training supported participants in connecting with each other, sharing ideas and best practices, collaborating, and experimenting with theoretical tools applicable to their work in an engaging environment.
Target groups
The programme specifically targeted middle-level staff from NGOs and civil society actors from the EuroMed region. Over 30 Intercultural Dialogue and civil society practitioners participated in the Academy, representing diverse organizations working in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Results & impact
The Enhance Your Capacity Academy successfully evolved beyond a traditional training programme to become a platform for peer-to-peer collaboration, real-world application, and community building. The digital format enabled the participation of more than 30 civil society practitioners from across the EuroMed region, who gained valuable skills in project management and organizational development.
The programme's effectiveness was demonstrated through the engagement of participants in both theoretical learning and practical application. By equipping these practitioners with essential skills, the Academy contributed to building capacity for driving positive change in the Euro-Mediterranean region. The combination of individual learning, interactive sessions, and collaborative opportunities created a comprehensive learning experience that addressed both theoretical knowledge and practical implementation challenges faced by civil society organizations in the region.
Capitalism and development brought many problems regarding the environment and pollution is all around the earth that is dying slowly. We focused our workshops on the following issues:
Plastic
Food & water waste
Paper
Recycling/upcycling
Renewable energy
Online campaign
Plastic is a material which can be shaped or molded with heat and pressure. It is produced at high volume and low cost for the most common disposable items and durable goods. The main problem with plastic is that it can’t disappear from the earth and it has materials that are very unsafe for the planet, animals and for humans. It also contributes to global warming as it is primarily produced with petroleum products. Because of all the thrown away plastic, there was an 8th continent which was formed by trash: is a huge patch of rubbish evolving in the northern Pacific Ocean. It is 6x the size of France (3.4 million km2), while the mass of plastic is 6x than the one of plankton. Finally, not all plastic is recyclable, there are 7 families of plastic, separated by the origin of the materials they are made of and only families 1,2,4 and 5 are recyclable.
Waste is also one of the main problems in our world : overconsumption is pollution, it’s useless and many people don’t have the same resources as we have like water or food. Food waste can be defined as the fact of throwing away food intended for human consumption. It occurs throughout the supply chain, from agricultural production through storage, processing, distribution and management to consumption. In the EU, approximately 88 million tonnes of food waste are generated each year with their associated costs. While 20% of all food produced is lost or wasted, 36.2 million people cannot afford a quality meal every other day. This also impacts the quantity of energy we need and how we can obtain it. Globally, about one third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. Food waste is not only an ethical and economic problem but also an environmental problem. Natural resources are used to produce food, including water. If food is wasted, these resources are also wasted unnecessarily. This is why today, it is necessary to be educated about sustainability, recycling. It is necessary to have information about pollution to think about solutions in order to save our planet.
Programme details
Our workshops led by the European Solidarity Corps volunteers are based on non-formal education. Non-formal education refers to any education received outside of traditional educational institutions. Therefore, everything we learn outside the classroom and school context is non-formal learning. Indeed, our aim is to help the students to open their minds by themselves. Most of the activities proposed involve the students discovering problems related to ecology and searching for solutions. This opens up dialogue, perspectives and points of view.
All of our workshops start with an ice-breaker to get the students in a state of mind open to non-formal education. Indeed, as all workshops are based on non-formal education, volunteers need students to be open to play and discuss. The icebreakers also allow the volunteers to get to know their audience better and give them a clue about the energy of the class.
Project objectives
Raising awareness among young people regarding the sustainability challenges and empower them to take action and support relevant solutions.
Target groups
Young people 14-19 years old from the region of Larache, Morocco.
Results & impact
We reached over 500 beneficiaries. In the spirit of non-formal education, the workshops conclude with feedback from the students. During this time, the volunteers ask the students questions: what they liked, what they did not like, what can they improve? This allows the volunteers to adapt the workshops and also to measure the impact of their intervention. The feedback is also useful for the students: they feel listened to and understand that their opinion is useful. It also helps to develop their critical thinking skills and to use their voice.
#GenderIDTalks was a series of four online panels organized by GEYC in partnership with Association la Voix de l'Enfant Rural (AVER / صوت الطفل الريفي) and ANKA Youth Association. The initiative was developed within the framework of the Anna Lindh Foundation Virtual Marathon for Dialogue in EuroMed. The primary aim of #GenderIDTalks was to promote gender equality by raising awareness about women and gender stereotypes through a cross-cultural and cross-sectorial approach, connecting these issues to other key topics and empowering meaningful civic, economic, social, and cultural participation.
Programme details
The initiative consists of four thematic panels designed to explore gender identity through various lenses while creating intercultural dialogue and cross-sectorial perspectives on women and gender stereotypes:
Panel 1 - Sustainable Development Goals and Intercultural Dialogue (June 1, 2021):
Focused on addressing women and gender stereotypes issues in relation to achieving the SDGs and their targets, as well as the relevance of Intercultural Dialogue in breaking down stereotypes.
Panel 2 - Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship (June 8, 2021):
Provided a platform to share challenges and success stories of women in the business sector, discuss the effects of COVID-19, and explore ways to break down gender stereotypes in entrepreneurship.
Panel 3 - Media & Advertising (June 15, 2021):
Explored challenges and opportunities in addressing gender stereotypes in media and advertising industries, and how these narratives influence perceptions of gender.
Panel 4 - Youth and Digital (June 22, 2021):
Focused on the importance of youth participation, especially using digital tools, to tackle women and gender stereotypes.
All panels were broadcasted live on GEYC's Facebook page and PRISMA European Network's Facebook page, making the discussions accessible to a wide audience.
Project objectives
to explore gender identity through various lenses while creating intercultural dialogue and cross-sectorial perspectives on women and gender stereotypes
Target groups
The initiative targeted diverse stakeholders from Europe and the EuroMed region, bringing together youth and various sectoral representatives to exchange experiences and ideas. The panels aimed to give voice to participants and create a platform for meaningful dialogue on breaking down gender stereotypes and enhancing intercultural understanding. The initiative specifically sought to engage younger generations who hold increasingly progressive views on gender equality.
Results & impact
The #GenderIDTalks initiative addressed the urgent need for action highlighted in the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 by the World Economic Forum, which noted that at the current rate of change, achieving gender parity would take nearly a century. The panels successfully created a space for raising awareness, bringing new perspectives, strengthening international relationships and cooperation, facilitating brainstorming on solutions, and giving voice to youth's concerns, expectations, and proposals.
The initiative effectively positioned intercultural dialogue as the core of effective cooperation, using the four thematic panels to explore gender identity through multiple angles. By connecting gender equality to sustainable development, entrepreneurship, media representation, and digital youth engagement, #GenderIDTalks provided a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing gender stereotypes in diverse contexts. The recorded sessions remain available as resources for continued learning and dialogue on these critical issues.
In 2017, GEYC (Romania) and AVER (Tunisia) collaborated through the Anna Lindh Foundation's Euromed Exchange Programme, with the aim of fostering intercultural dialogue, exchanging experiences in the youth and cultural sectors, and strengthening cooperation for future initiatives. The core of the program consisted of two mobilities: a GEYC representative hosted by AVER in Tunisia, and an AVER representative hosted by GEYC in Romania.
Programme details
The exchange program was structured around two key mobilities. Gabriel Brezoiu from GEYC spent time in Medenine, Tunisia, in September 2017, where he led non-formal education workshops for local youth, activists, youth workers, and young professionals. These workshops covered topics such as project management for both beginners and advanced practitioners, digital marketing and eSkills for volunteers, and gender equality. Additionally, he produced a short-video documentary about youth radicalization, incorporating interviews with specialists, to raise awareness at the European level about the situation in Tunisia. He also conducted research on youth participation in Tunisia, resulting in an online report that addressed the issue of low youth turnout in local elections. In October-November 2017, Lamia Ajala from AVER was hosted by GEYC in Bucharest, Romania. During her stay, she promoted Tunisian and Arabic culture through Arabic language workshops, video projections, cooking workshops, and a cultural night. She also organized social economy study visits to compare the social and solidarity economy in Romania and Tunisia, including visits to social economy startups and special schools.
Project objectives
Fostering the intercultural exchange between organisations from the both sides of the Mediterranean.
Target groups
The programme directly targeted youth, activists, youth workers, and young professionals in both Tunisia and Romania. Indirectly, it also aimed to reach a broader European audience through the dissemination of research findings and the screening of the documentary on youth radicalization.
Results & impact
The Euromed Exchange Programme between GEYC and AVER resulted in enhanced intercultural understanding and dialogue between Romanian and Tunisian participants. It provided valuable non-formal education and skills development opportunities for Tunisian youth in areas such as project management, digital marketing, and gender equality. The documentary and research contributed to raising awareness about youth radicalization and the challenges faced by young people in Tunisia, while also offering insights into youth participation in local governance. Furthermore, the program facilitated the promotion of Tunisian culture in Romania and fostered connections between the social economy sectors in both countries. Overall, the exchange contributed to the Anna Lindh Foundation's broader mission of promoting intercultural dialogue and cooperation across the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Empowering youth in the EU's Special Territories as catalysts for sustainable innovation and inclusive growth, GEYC bridges geographical distances through digital connectivity and fosters local solutions that resonate across Europe.
Key Initiatives in the Outermost Regions (ORs):
Overview
The “Partnerships that Matter” activity was a Partnership Building Activity (PBA) implemented in Madeira, Portugal, from 6 to 13 January 2026. Bringing together professionals from across Europe, the initiative focused on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and environmental priorities within Erasmus+. The activity aimed to strengthen transnational partnerships, facilitate knowledge exchange, and generate actionable project concepts for future KA2 and large-scale cooperation projects. Participants engaged in co-creation of project ideas while reinforcing a shared commitment to sustainable development and environmental responsibility at both local and European levels.
Programme details
Over six days, participants took part in intensive working sessions, exchanging proven practices and drafting concrete project concepts for future collaborative initiatives. The programme combined strategic partnership building with hands-on local engagement and environmental action. Beyond formal sessions, participants explored opportunities for integrating sustainability into project planning, fostering collaboration, and enhancing capacity to implement impactful projects aligned with the SDGs.
Target groups
The PBA was designed for youth professionals, project coordinators, and representatives of civil society organisations across Europe, particularly those engaged in Erasmus+ initiatives and SDG-related projects. Participants included individuals seeking to expand international networks, co-create innovative project ideas, and strengthen organisational capacity for sustainable, collaborative European projects.
Results & impact
The activity successfully facilitated new partnerships, generated concrete project concepts, and promoted knowledge exchange on sustainability and environmental priorities. It reinforced participants’ commitment to local and global environmental action, enhanced capacity to implement KA2 and large-scale cooperation projects, and established a foundation for ongoing transnational collaboration with tangible impact. The experience strengthened both personal and organisational skills in partnership building, project design, and sustainable project implementation.
Environmental challenges are growing daily, triggering social and economic issues in local and regional communities worldwide. The youth exchange “Enviropreneurs Generation” represented a close call to build new intеgratеd approaches for cultural, еconomic and еcological innovative projects. Youth is the center as they play a vital role, and more than before, they are the catalysts for a bеttеr planеt throughout their endeavors. Implementing this project in Azores, Flores, on the most remote island of the Portuguese archipelago, represented a first valuable insight into authentic rural life, showcasing real environmental challenges that the people of the island were facing and connecting them with similar issues in many parts of the world, particularly in the participating countries. Inspiring youth from disadvantaged backgrounds and equipping them with the necessary entrepreneurial skills to address such issues were essential points to address for this youth exchange. The project also pushes for sustainable development and the possibility of sustainably using the environment as a resource for youth enterprises in rural areas. NEETs in rural areas will be able to understand how to use the environment as a source of birth for professional opportunities that lead to innovation.
We spent the last 8 days of March in a Youth Exchange that took place in paradise, surrounded by amazing people coming from many different backgrounds. Le Moule, in Guadeloupe was our home and our space to learn, to practice, to grow and to connect. 'Youth Eco-preneurs lab' was the place for us to learn new methods that can help us put in practice our ecological solutions for today's issues. We were 5 people representing the Romanian team, and together with people coming from Bulgaria, Greece, France, Latvia, Poland and Guadelopue we had the chance to work and to learn together, to brainstorm, to understand each other's reality and the issues our local communities are facing, especially in terms of ecology, to finally come up with new ideas of how we could help our communities in a sustainable way.
The 'Gwadapreneuriat+' project addressed five specific objectives:
Provide a space for creativity and an innovation laboratory for participants, enabling them to identify local challenges and develop appropriate solutions to meet the needs of their communities. This will result in seven business plans, ready to be implemented.
Bring together seven youth educators, seven young entrepreneurs, and 21 JAMOs to foster an exchange of practices and knowledge that fosters the development of young people's entrepreneurial spirit.
Review and analyze trends in social entrepreneurship with high environmental, artisanal, and rural added value.
Link entrepreneurial education with young people's civic engagement in society, strengthening their digital skills by focusing on the use of two digital tools (OPIN and CitizenLab).
Promote the integration of young Guadeloupeans, and bring them together with other young Europeans sharing the same needs and aspirations, by organizing local workshops accessible to the public.
"EUthWORK" is a TC arising from the cooperation among 12 partners for improving the professional competences of Youth Workers and Organisations on developing Youthwork skills, methods and tools.
The project aims also to strenghten the International cooperation, exchange of knowledges, experiences and learnings and the setting up of quality workshops meeting the learning needs of the target youth learners.
We will have 2 main activities linked: 1 training course that will be held in France, with the topic of providing skills to the participants to act as Youth Workers and a second activity, a training course, that will be held in Reunion, France. For both activities we will have 24 participants in each (including organization team and trainers) from 11 countries: France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Romania, Poland and Bulgaria. The participants should be the same in both activities, since they will need to develop local activities after the first training course and bring the outcomes to the second training course to evaluate the dificulties encountered and improve their facilitators skills. What does a Youth Worker do? Who is a Youth Worker? Which competences and skills should he/she have? Starting from these questions we started a reflection with our 11 partners on the skills and key-role of the Youth Worker in field of Youthwork.
Between 2016 and 2025, GEYC representatives took part in a series of 13 youth mobilities organised in the Canary Islands: Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura (Santa Lucía de Tirajana, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Tefía). These activities included youth exchanges, training courses, and planning visits implemented under the Erasmus+ Youth programme framework. Collectively, they addressed youth participation, cultural diversity, inclusion, employability, sustainability, democracy, and human rights, while strengthening European cooperation among youth organisations.
Programme details
The mobilities covered a wide thematic spectrum, including youth and cultural movements, youth empowerment and leadership, project development (“Start Youth Engine”), intercultural learning and hospitality (“Mi casa, tu casa”), wellbeing and self-development (“Be & Let it Be”), environmental awareness and sustainability (“Green State of Mind”, “DemoGreen”), LGBTI-E+ rights and inclusion (“LGTBI-E+ HEROES”), post-crisis recovery through youth engagement (“Gran Canaria shines again”), employability and personal branding (“Value of Youth”), and biodiversity and local environmental education (“Bisbita Caminero”). Activities were delivered through non-formal education methods such as workshops, simulations, group work, outdoor learning, and facilitated reflection, complemented by preparatory and evaluation processes specific to planning visits.
Target groups
The mobilities primarily targeted young people, youth workers, trainers, and youth leaders from multiple European countries, including participants with fewer opportunities. Target groups included active youth interested in civic engagement, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, diversity and human rights advocacy, as well as youth workers seeking to enhance their competencies in facilitation, project design, and international cooperation.
Results & impact
Participation in these 13 mobilities contributed to strengthened individual competencies such as leadership, teamwork, intercultural communication, critical thinking, and employability skills. At organisational level, the activities supported capacity building in youth work methodologies, project management, and international partnership development. The repeated engagement in mobilities hosted in Spain enabled long-term cooperation with partner organisations in the Canary Islands, reinforced European networks, and facilitated the transfer of good practices in youth participation, inclusion, sustainability, and democratic engagement. Several activities directly informed future Erasmus+ projects, local youth initiatives, and strategic organisational development.
Key Initiatives - Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs):
Overview
From March 10th to March 21st 2023, a job shadowing event organized by GEYC took place in Bucharest, Romania, aimed at providing youth organizations with hands-on experience and understanding of the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities involved in working with local events and volunteers. The event was organized to help participants gain insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by youth work organizations in the context of local events and volunteer management, and how they are addressed. It took part the representatives of Association RESOPA (PrismaEU member, France) and Association Puna Reo (French Polynesia).
MAP MO’REAL YOUth was a training course designed to enhance the project management skills of youth workers, with a specific focus on decision-making and the inclusion of youth from isolated communities. The training aimed to improve youth participation in the development of their communities.
Programme details
The project consisted of two training courses involving 24 participants from eight organizations across seven countries, including GEYC from Romania and two organizations from France and French Polynesia. The main objectives were to introduce the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme, critically reflect on past international experiences, equip youth workers with decision-making knowledge for planning and developing initiatives with young people, and improve their project management competencies. The training courses were held in Gerzat (France) and Moorea-Maiao (French Polynesia) to facilitate the creation of partnerships among participating organizations and support participants in applying their new knowledge. MAP MO'REAL YOUth was the first Erasmus+ project to take place in this part of the world.
Project objectives
Provide youth workers with know-how in planning and developing projects that encourage local youth to participate in community building and development.
Increase the understanding of different quality aspects of youth mobility projects such as project design connecting topics, objectives and activities, cooperation with partners, intercultural learning, learning assessment, impact and results;
Provide an introduction to Erasmus+, focusing on main features and priorities (mainly for newcomers to the programme who have little idea of the programme
Support participants in putting in practice the learnings gained, submitting quality application forms to their NAs (through planning project ideas in partnership during one TC session and offering mentoring support after the TC);
Target groups
The primary target group was youth workers and project leaders from isolated territories. The training aimed to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to include and encourage young people to actively participate in community development.
Results & impact
MAP MO’REAL YOUth successfully trained project leaders from isolated territories on how to include and encourage young people to act in community development. The project contributed to territorial resilience through youth-led initiatives centered on ecological protection, community development, and the socio-economic well-being of the territory. By providing an introduction to the Erasmus+ Youth in Action Programme and improving project management competencies, the training courses empowered youth workers to develop and implement impactful projects in their communities. The project also facilitated the creation of partnerships among the participating organizations, fostering future collaboration and knowledge sharing, being the first Erasmus+ youth project in the French Polynesia (Project ID: 2021-1-FR02-KA153-YOU-000021035).
