On the 22nd of July 2025, representatives from BRAVO – alongside project partners from Montenegro, Kosovo, Spain and Italy – gathered in Podgorica, Montenegro, to officially close the Erasmus+ project “FREE TO BE”.
This final meeting served as both a reflective moment and a forward-looking step, reinforcing the shared commitment to combating homophobic cyber-bullying among youth across Europe and the Western Balkans.
Project Framework and Purpose
Launched under the ERASMUS-EDU-2021-VIRT-EXCH-IPA strand of the Erasmus Plus Programme, “FREE TO BE” set out with a clear and urgent goal: to prevent homophobic cyber-bullying – a growing form of abuse experienced by LGBTQI youth through digital platforms and social media.
The project addressed this pressing issue through a threefold mission:
- Promoting Respectful Digital Language: Raising awareness around inclusive and respectful communication online, especially about LGBTQI individuals.
- Transforming Online Discourse: Encouraging a culture shift towards empathy and equality in digital spaces through education and positive engagement.
- Building a Lasting Network: Creating a transnational alliance of youth associations and youth workers dedicated to prevention, awareness-raising, and long-term collaboration.
Reflecting on the Journey
During the closing meeting, the consortium revisited the project’s key objectives and evaluated its implementation across the partner countries. Together, we celebrated successes, discussed challenges, and shared honest reflections on what could be improved in future actions. These evaluations formed a crucial part of the meeting, ensuring that the lessons learned during “FREE TO BE” will serve as valuable foundations for future projects and initiatives.
One of the highlights of the meeting was the collaborative brainstorming session focused on the digital platform that will host the project’s legacy. Partners explored content ideas tailored to the platform’s different target audiences – young people, youth workers, and NGOs – ensuring that it remains a dynamic and inclusive hub for resources, training materials, and networking.
Empowering Youth Workers for Lasting Impact
At the heart of “FREE TO BE” is the belief that youth workers are key agents of change. Throughout the project, they engaged in virtual exchanges, shared good practices, and built meaningful connections with peers from diverse backgrounds. These experiences not only expanded their professional toolkits but also empowered them to take active roles in guiding and protecting LGBTQI youth both within and beyond their organisations.
Conclusion
The closing meeting in Podgorica was more than a wrap-up – it was a celebration of resilience, collaboration, and shared values. As the project comes to an end, the spirit of “FREE TO BE” lives on in the networks we’ve built, the youth workers we’ve empowered, and the commitment we’ve renewed to ensuring that every young person can be truly free to be themselves, online and offline.
The work doesn’t end here. The digital platform, the network of youth organisations, and the collective knowledge we’ve developed will continue to grow, carrying forward the message that respect, inclusion, and empathy must shape the future of our digital communities.
Let’s continue to stand together for a world where everyone is Free to Be!
More about BRAVO you can see on our video below: