“Building Bridges for Inclusion”
Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership
Name of the project: Building Bridges for Inclusion
Partners: YMCA Finland, YMCA Thessaloniki, YMCA Lebanon and YMCA Romania
Funding: European Union Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership
Goals of the project
- Empower Youth Workers, young YMCA staff members and experienced volunteers to enhance the quality of their work with youngsters, young adults and other vulnerable and marginalized groups through capacity-building workshops.
- Inspire youth workers and volunteers to become an active agent of inclusion.
- Share know-how of social inclusion methods to a larger audience
- Enhance the quality of youth work in Europe by connecting European perspectives to ones from the Middle East.
From March 17th to 23rd, YMCA Romania proudly hosted the first (out of 4) training event of the “Building Bridges for Inclusion” Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnership project. Bringing together dedicated youth workers, young staff members, and experienced volunteers from YMCA Lebanon, YMCA Thessaloniki, YMCA Finland, and YMCA Romania, the training was a vibrant showcase of collaboration, learning, and commitment to building a more inclusive world.
This international partnership, funded by the European Union Erasmus+ Programme, aims to empower Youth Workers and YMCA volunteers with the skills, tools, and perspectives needed to enhance their work with young people and marginalized groups. By promoting inclusive practices and fostering intercultural dialogue, the project aspires to uplift the quality of youth work across Europe and beyond.
During this first training, participants dove into powerful sessions focused on breaking down inclusion barriers, exploring cultural sensitivity, and sharing best practices. Through interactive workshops, energizing icebreakers, and deep reflective moments, the group cultivated strong connections while embracing the diversity each participant brought to the table.
“It was more than a training – it was a bridge between cultures, a space to grow, and a reminder of why we do what we do in youth work” shared one of the participants. |
The week-long experience was not only a platform for capacity-building but also a testament to the transformative power of international cooperation and human connection. From spontaneous cultural exchanges to collaborative brainstorming on inclusive practices, every day reaffirmed the project’s mission: to inspire youth workers to become active agents of inclusion.
As the project continues, knowledge and experiences gathered will be shared with a wider audience, amplifying the impact across YMCA communities and youth networks. With three upcoming training and exchanges hosted by each respective partner Organization, the “Building Bridges for Inclusion” project is just getting started 😊 ❤️
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build bridges, break barriers, and bring people together.
Photo credits: YMCA Romania
