Project Approval Announcement
Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice
Erasmus+ Youth Participation Project (KA154-YOU)
Project No.: 2024-3-DE04-KA154-YOU-000271505
We are pleased to announce that the Erasmus+ KA154-YOU Youth Participation project “Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice” has been officially approved. The project will be implemented through a strong European partnership coordinated by Phoenix Knowledge Wings gGmbH (Germany) and aims to empower young people across Europe to actively engage in democratic life, social justice, and community decision-making.
Project Partnership
The project brings together four experienced organisations working in youth participation, inclusion, and non-formal education:
Phoenix Knowledge Wings gGmbH (E10344237) – Germany
Creative Youth Academy Hungary (E10306839) – Hungary
ERFEY BİLİŞİM VE DANIŞMANLIK (E10327234) – Türkiye
SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY (E10368909) – Romania
Together, these organisations ensure a balanced European perspective and strong expertise in working with young people from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.
Project Rationale and Identified Needs
The core idea of the project is to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to actively participate in societal and decision-making processes. Across Europe, many young individuals—particularly those facing socio-economic, educational, geographical, or disability-related barriers—remain excluded from meaningful civic participation.
At organisational level, each partner identified specific needs that the project directly addresses:
Phoenix Knowledge Wings (Germany) works extensively with disadvantaged youth, including NEETs and young people with disabilities. While strong in digital skills and social engagement, there is a need to further strengthen civic participation and youth leadership capacities. This will be addressed through a Civic Engagement and Community Leadership Workshop in Germany.
Creative Youth Academy Hungary (CYA) focuses on sustainable development and combating xenophobia. The organisation identified a need to further develop youth digital competencies and social innovation skills, which will be tackled through the Digital Transformation and Innovation Workshop in Hungary.
ERFEY (Türkiye) supports youth initiatives and projects and has identified a strong need to raise awareness around social inclusion and equality. This will be addressed through a Social Inclusion and Equality Workshop in Türkiye.
SKILLHUB INCLUSIVITY (Romania) works with young people with disabilities and special needs and identified the need to strengthen discussions and awareness around human rights and social justice. This will be addressed through a Human Rights and Social Justice Workshop in Romania.
Needs of Young People
The project also responds directly to the needs of young participants across partner countries:
Low levels of civic engagement, with limited opportunities to participate in community decision-making
A persistent digital skills gap, limiting access to social innovation and advocacy opportunities
Ongoing challenges related to social exclusion and inequality, especially for youth with disabilities, NEETs, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds
Limited awareness of human rights and social justice, and lack of tools to advocate for these values
Project Objectives
The project pursues several interconnected objectives:
Promoting active citizenship by strengthening civic engagement, leadership, and social responsibility
Fostering digital competencies to bridge the digital divide and support youth-led social innovation
Encouraging social inclusion and equality, particularly for young people with fewer opportunities
Raising awareness of human rights and social justice, empowering youth to advocate for fundamental values
Providing sustainable learning tools, including the development of a digital educational game that supports long-term learning for youth workers and young people
Activities and Target Groups
The project will be implemented through a series of youth participation workshops and innovative learning activities, each targeting specific groups:
Germany – Civic Engagement and Community Leadership Workshop
Targeting disadvantaged youth, including NEETs and young people with disabilities, to strengthen leadership and civic participation.
Hungary – Digital Transformation and Innovation Workshop
Targeting youth with limited digital access or skills, especially from rural or economically disadvantaged areas.
Türkiye – Social Inclusion and Equality Workshop
Targeting marginalized youth, including ethnic minorities and young people experiencing social exclusion.
Romania – Human Rights and Social Justice Workshop
Targeting youth activists and young people interested in human rights advocacy, particularly from disadvantaged regions.
Development of a Digital Game
Targeting youth workers, educators, and young people who benefit from interactive, game-based learning methods.
Overall, the project targets young people aged 18–29, with a strong focus on those from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented communities.
European Added Value and Impact
By combining international youth participation workshops with the development of an innovative digital learning tool, the project offers a comprehensive and sustainable approach to youth empowerment. It contributes directly to the Erasmus+ priorities of participation in democratic life, inclusion, and digital transformation.
“Fostering Youth Participation and Social Justice” will equip young people to become informed, responsible, and active citizens, capable of shaping more inclusive, just, and democratic societies across Europe.