Project Overview
Project Reference: 2023-3-SI02-KA153-YOU-000175566
Status: Completed
Duration: January 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024
EU Grant: €22,052
Programme: Erasmus+
Action Type: Mobility of Youth Workers
Countries Involved: Slovenia, Serbia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece
Background
Many young people today face serious mental health challenges caused by stress, social pressure, and lack of support. In the Balkans, this situation is worsened by a history of conflict and trauma. Poor mental health can lead to isolation, depression, and even violence. Youth workers play a key role in supporting young people, but often lack the tools to help them deal with emotional distress. This project aimed to fill that gap by strengthening the mental well-being approach in youth work.
Objectives
The project had three main objectives: prevention, management, and rehabilitation. It focused on promoting mental hygiene in everyday life, offering methods to deal with emotional distress, and supporting the inclusion of young people who face mental health difficulties. The goal was to give youth workers the tools and knowledge to care not only for the youth they support, but also for themselves. This included practical techniques like physical activity, inclusive communication, and self-care routines.
Implementation
The main activity was a training course held in Brežice, Slovenia, from March 4–11, 2024. It involved 27 youth workers from 12 countries. Before the mobility, participants completed self-assessments, prepared presentations, and joined online groups. During the training, they took part in four daily sessions using workshops, group reflections, and visual tools. Topics included emotional awareness, empathy, and youth engagement. The programme was designed to turn learning into daily practice.
Key Activities
The training focused on hands-on methods: physical exercises, non-violent communication, and personal care routines. Participants learned to use these as tools for inclusion and mental balance. Intercultural evenings, teamwork games, and group discussions helped to build trust and friendship among participants. Everyone was encouraged to reflect on their learning and how to use new knowledge in their work. Each day ended with time for self-evaluation and shared reflection.
Results
Participants gained technical, professional, and personal skills. They learned how to design better youth activities, apply well-being tools in real situations, and take care of their own mental health. These new competences improved the quality of their daily work and increased their motivation. The project also helped them grow as confident, active citizens. Many developed follow-up plans and expressed a desire to stay involved in Erasmus+ and international youth work.
Impact
This project had a wide impact. Youth workers brought new tools to their organisations, ran local workshops, and trained their colleagues. A toolkit of mental well-being methods was created and shared online. Organisations improved their ability to support young people, especially those facing emotional or social difficulties. The project strengthened partnerships between the involved organisations and created a base for future cooperation and joint initiatives.
