Young people from four countries united for active citizenship, democratic participation, and social justice
From 29 March to 6 April 2026, young participants from Romania, Germany, Türkiye, and Hungary came together in Germany for the Erasmus+ youth participation mobility “Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice: Civic Engagement and Community Leadership.”
The mobility was organised by our project coordinator and German partner, Phoenix Knowledge Wings gGmbH, within the Erasmus+ project “Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice”, project number 2024-3-DE04-KA154-YOU-000271505.
As the Romanian partner, SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY was pleased to participate in this important international learning experience and to support the involvement of young people interested in civic engagement, community leadership, equality, inclusion, human rights, and social justice.
Creating opportunities for meaningful youth participation
The mobility was designed to strengthen young people’s ability to participate actively in their communities and contribute to democratic and social processes. Throughout the programme, participants explored what it means to be an active citizen and how young people can influence decisions, identify community needs, propose solutions, and cooperate with institutions, organisations, and other members of society.
The activity responded to a common challenge faced by many young people across Europe: limited access to opportunities through which they can express their opinions, participate in decision-making, and develop the confidence needed to take leadership roles.
Through non-formal education, international cooperation, and intercultural dialogue, the mobility created a safe and inclusive environment in which participants could exchange experiences, learn from one another, and develop practical ideas for positive community change.
Learning about civic engagement and community leadership
During the mobility, participants took part in interactive workshops, group discussions, teamwork activities, presentations, simulations, reflection sessions, and intercultural learning exercises.
The programme focused on several important themes, including:
- active citizenship and democratic participation;
- the role of young people in local and European communities;
- community leadership and social responsibility;
- communication, cooperation, and teamwork;
- identifying community challenges and proposing realistic solutions;
- advocacy and awareness-raising;
- human rights, equality, and social justice;
- inclusion of young people with fewer opportunities;
- intercultural dialogue and respect for diversity;
- the role of youth organisations in supporting participation and social change.
The participants were encouraged not only to learn about these topics but also to connect them with their own realities. They discussed challenges affecting young people in Romania, Germany, Türkiye, and Hungary and reflected on how youth-led initiatives could respond to those challenges.
Young people as active contributors
A central principle of the mobility was that young people should not be seen only as beneficiaries of activities, but as active contributors, decision-makers, and potential leaders.
Participants were encouraged to share their opinions, assume responsibilities within their international groups, present ideas, listen to different perspectives, and cooperate in developing community-oriented proposals. These activities helped them improve their leadership, communication, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and public-speaking skills.
The international environment also enabled participants to compare different forms of civic participation and learn how young people are involved in their communities across Europe.
By working together, participants discovered that although their countries and communities may face different challenges, many youth-related concerns are shared. These include social exclusion, discrimination, lack of access to decision-making, limited civic education, digital inequalities, and insufficient opportunities for young people to make their voices heard.
Inclusion and social justice at the centre of the mobility
The mobility placed particular emphasis on the participation of young people from diverse backgrounds, including those who may encounter social, economic, educational, geographical, cultural, or accessibility-related barriers.
For SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY, this inclusive dimension was especially important. Our organisation works to promote equal opportunities, social participation, and access to learning for young people, particularly young people with disabilities, special needs, or fewer opportunities.
During the mobility, participants explored how civic participation must be accessible to all young people. They discussed the importance of removing barriers, challenging stereotypes, addressing discrimination, and creating spaces where every young person feels respected and able to contribute.
Social justice was presented not only as a theoretical concept, but as a practical responsibility. Participants reflected on how individuals, youth groups, NGOs, schools, public institutions, and local communities can work together to promote fairness, dignity, equality, and respect for human rights.
Intercultural learning and European cooperation
Bringing together participants from four countries created valuable opportunities for intercultural learning. Young people shared elements of their cultures, traditions, social realities, and community experiences while developing greater openness toward different perspectives.
The intercultural dimension helped participants overcome stereotypes and recognise diversity as a source of learning, creativity, and cooperation. Informal conversations, group work, cultural activities, and shared experiences contributed to building trust and friendships among the participants.
The mobility also strengthened participants’ sense of European belonging. By cooperating with peers from other countries, young people experienced European values in practice: democracy, solidarity, inclusion, freedom, equality, respect for human dignity, and participation.
Developing ideas for community action
An important part of the programme was encouraging participants to transform learning into action.
Working in international teams, young people reflected on challenges in their communities and developed ideas for initiatives that could promote participation, inclusion, human rights, and social justice. These ideas could include local awareness campaigns, youth consultations, volunteering activities, digital initiatives, peer-education sessions, inclusive community events, and dialogue with decision-makers.
Participants were encouraged to consider the needs of their target groups, the objectives of their proposed activities, the stakeholders who should be involved, the resources required, and the potential impact on their communities.
This practical approach showed participants that community leadership does not necessarily begin with large-scale actions. It can begin with identifying a problem, bringing people together, listening to different voices, and taking a realistic first step toward change.
Benefits for the Romanian participants
For the Romanian participants representing SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY, the mobility offered an opportunity to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and motivation in several areas.
They improved their understanding of civic engagement, active citizenship, community leadership, democratic participation, human rights, and European values. They also developed transversal competencies such as teamwork, intercultural communication, initiative, adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking.
Participation in an international Erasmus+ mobility allowed the young people to leave their familiar environment, interact with peers from other cultures, communicate in a foreign language, and become more confident in expressing their ideas.
The knowledge and experience gained in Germany will be shared with other young people, volunteers, youth workers, educators, organisations, and community members in Romania. In this way, the mobility will create an impact that extends beyond the direct participants.
A successful activity organised by Phoenix Knowledge Wings gGmbH
We would like to thank our project coordinator, Phoenix Knowledge Wings gGmbH, for organising and hosting the mobility in Germany.
The activity provided a supportive learning environment in which young people could participate actively, exchange ideas, develop competencies, and build international connections. The coordination and collaboration among all partner organisations contributed to the successful implementation of the programme.
We also thank all the facilitators, youth workers, organisers, volunteers, and participants whose engagement and contributions made the mobility meaningful and memorable.
Continuing our work for youth participation and inclusion
The mobility in Germany represents an important stage in the implementation of the project “Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice.”
The project continues to bring together organisations and young people from Germany, Hungary, Türkiye, and Romania around shared priorities such as civic engagement, digital transformation, social inclusion, equality, human rights, and social justice.
Following the mobility, SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY will continue to promote the project results at local, national, and European levels. We will encourage participants to share what they learned, involve other young people in follow-up activities, and apply their new competencies in their communities.
We believe that meaningful youth participation begins when young people are given access to information, inclusive learning opportunities, supportive networks, and real spaces in which their voices are listened to and respected.
Through Erasmus+ cooperation, young people can become more confident, informed, responsible, and active citizens who are prepared to contribute to fairer, more inclusive, and more democratic communities.
Project title: Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice
Activity: Civic Engagement and Community Leadership
Project number: 2024-3-DE04-KA154-YOU-000271505
Mobility period: 29 March–6 April 2026
Host country: Germany
Coordinator and host organisation: Phoenix Knowledge Wings gGmbH
Romanian partner: SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY
Participating countries: Germany, Romania, Türkiye, and Hungary
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
