Em.Power.YOU.th

Project Experience

From the 20th to the 28th of July, the Erasmus+ training course Em.Power.YOU.th brought together 16 youth workers from Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Czech Republic, Denmark, and Italy for an inspiring and hands-on learning experience in youth empowerment. Organized by the Latvian organization Move Up in collaboration with the organizations ASOCIACE DICE in Czech Republic, Pangaea Youth Network in Denmark, ASOCIACIJA TAVO EUROPA in Lithuania, Mosaica APS – Italy and EUROACTIVE NGO in Rumania the training aimed to support youth workers in their journey of becoming more confident, reflective, and impactful in their work with young people.

The heart of Em.Power.YOU.th was centered on a powerful idea: to empower those who empower others. The project focused both on strengthening the capacities of youth workers, whether experienced or new to the field, and on exploring how they can more effectively support and uplift the diverse young people they work with. Through a series of engaging workshops, reflective discussions, and real-life visits to local organizations, participants gained practical tools, new perspectives, and deeper insight into their own roles as youth professionals.

Throughout the training, participants reflected on the attitudes, skills, and values that are essential in youth work. Sessions explored topics such as interpersonal communication, identifying personal styles of interaction, and how those impact relationships with young people. Youth workers also looked critically at their assumptions and concepts, and how to validate and support each young person’s unique experience. Time was also dedicated to a very important but often overlooked topic — how to maintain personal well-being and energy in a demanding field like youth work.

One of the most impactful elements of Em.Power.YOU.th was the opportunity to learn from existing practices in the local community. Participants visited several organizations in Latvia that are actively working with young people in creative and inclusive ways. These visits offered not just inspiration but practical ideas for replication and adaptation in their own contexts.

They visited an Open Center that works with young people from the streets and provides them with support and safe spaces. Another highlight was the visit to Active Rainbow, an organization that focuses on the inclusion of LGBTQ+ youth, where participants discussed identity, inclusion, and creating safe environments. At Lastādija, a local creative initiative, the group explored how art, music, and DIY spaces can empower youth to express themselves and take ownership of their ideas. Lastly, they spent time with Adventure Spirits, an organization that uses outdoor education as a method to build teamwork, self-awareness, and leadership skills among young people.

The program wasn’t just theoretical – participants got to put their learning into practice by creating and facilitating their own workshops. This allowed them to test new approaches, receive feedback, and reflect on their experience in a supportive international environment.

As the first phase of the project came to an end, the learning did not stop. Each participant will now carry out dissemination activities in their local communities – through workshops, lectures, or small initiatives – to share what they’ve learned and bring positive change to their organizations and youth groups. This second phase ensures that the impact of Em.Power.YOU.th reaches far beyond the training week, contributing to stronger, more thoughtful youth work across Europe.

In a time when youth work is needed more than ever, Em.Power.YOU.th served as a reminder that empowering youth starts with empowering youth workers themselves. And when those workers come together to learn, share, and grow, the possibilities are endless.