Seven organizations from six countries — Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania — joined forces under the Empowering Human Dignity of EU and Western Balkan Youth (EHDEU&WBY) project, supported by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
The goal was straight forward: give young people from both EU and Western Balkan countries meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together, regardless of geographic or economic barriers.
Looking back since the implementation phase from 2021 to the end of 2023, that goal has been met with real, measurable results.
What we delivered?
- Youth Leadership: Equipping youth with tools for effective leadership and community management.
- Human Dignity & EU Values: Workshops focused on core human rights, democratic values, and fostering mutual respect.
- Online & Hybrid Participation: Facilitating cross-border digital dialogue and making youth engagement accessible and inclusive.
- Critical Thinking: Teaching how to analyze information objectively and avoid the pitfalls of misinformation.
- Media Literacy: Training sessions focused on navigating the digital landscape and understanding media influence.
- Intercultural Dialogue: Bridging cultural divides through open communication and shared experiences among European and Balkan youth.
Project Activities and Reach
Close to 40 virtual sessions were implemented across five programmatic areas, engaging some approximately 480 participants from all six partner countries. The activities covered youth leadership, human dignity and EU values, critical thinking and media literacy, hybrid project participation, and intercultural dialogue — all delivered online, making them accessible to young people who would otherwise face limited access to international learning experiences.
Every partner brought something unique to the table, and together, they made the programme what it is. The programme was led by World Youth Alliance Europe, who coordinated the project and led advocacy and leadership sessions. Among others, BRAVO from Bosnia and Herzegovina organized two Winter Academies — structured experiences that gave participants from across the Western Balkans practical tools in civic engagement and youth leadership.
Another important achievement was the Hybrid Projects strand, which connected online participants directly to existing in-person events. Young people from six countries joined international conferences and expert presentations virtually — demonstrating that quality intercultural learning does not require physical travel, and opening doors for students who could not otherwise participate in such events. Certified Training Programme sessions on Human Dignity and EU values were delivered in small groups of 5–10 participants, allowing depth of discussion and engagement with topics such as fundamental rights, solidarity, and democratic values.
Impacts and Results
Impact and legacy — beyond the session figures, the project generated tangible impact. Participants developed competencies in critical thinking, media literacy, leadership, and intercultural communication — skills critically relevant for personal and professional growth. The programme maintained focus on inclusion with active outreach to young people with fewer opportunities. To amplify impact, the project partners produced over 60 press releases and newsletters during the first reporting period alone, with dissemination continuing into the second period.
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