SAFE(R) SPACES for Youth Work – Training Course on Inclusion, Wellbeing & Anti-Discrimination

What we are looking for
We are looking for partner organisations from EU Programme Countries to join an Erasmus+ KA153 Youth Workers Mobility project (training course) hosted in Catania (Sicily, Italy) in September 2026.
Partners do not need to be LGBTQIA+ organisations: we welcome youth NGOs, youth centres, community organisations, educational bodies (if eligible), local authorities working with youth, or informal youth groups supported by an eligible organisation.

Key facts
- When: September 2026 (exact dates to be agreed with partners)
- Where: Catania, Italy
- Training duration: 8 activity days + travel days (approx. 10 days total)
- Participants: youth workers / educators / youth leaders / volunteers with an active role in youth work (16+)
- Suggested size: 24–32 participants total
- Team: 2 trainers/facilitators (overall)

Theme & focus
The training focuses on practical youth work competences to:
- create and maintain safer spaces (offline and online)
- prevent and address discrimination, stereotypes and hate speech
- support youth wellbeing and resilience (non-clinical approach)
- strengthen media & digital literacy (misinformation, polarisation, online community management)
- foster youth participation and civic engagement through realistic local actions

Learning approach (non-formal education)
Experiential and participatory methods: role-plays, simulations, case clinics, peer-learning, micro-teaching, creative labs, and structured reflection. The programme is designed for replicability, so participants can transfer tools into their organisations and local contexts.

Main outputs & follow-up
- SAFE(R) SPACES Toolkit (checklists, session formats, code of conduct template, conflict-management steps)
- Micro-training pack (3 ready-to-use sessions partners can run locally)
- Post-training community of practice: online follow-up meetings (1 and 3 months after)
- Each partner commits to at least one local dissemination/implementation action within ~2 months

Inclusion & safeguarding
We aim to include youth workers working with young people with fewer opportunities. A clear Code of Conduct and safer-space procedures will be applied, with structured conflict-management and support roles during the training.

What we expect from partners
- Send 2–4 youth workers (recommended) with relevant motivation/role
- Support preparation (online meetings) and follow-up implementation
- Contribute to programme co-design (optional session contribution welcome)
- Share dissemination evidence after return (short report / photos / indicators)

To apply as a partner, please email us your Partner Identification Form (PIF) and a short description of your organisation’s relevant experience and role you would like to cover in the project. Please use the subject line: “SAFE(R) SPACES for Youth Work | Partner Application”.