Advancing Inclusive Integration
Youth Work Ireland is delighted to announce the launch of Youth Work for All: Advancing Inclusive Integration, a new European project funded by Erasmus+ and supported by our national agency, Leargas. In partnership with Mudem (Turkey), CDCD (Romania), KHF (Hungary), Youth Work Ireland Galway, and ERYICA, this initiative aims to strengthen inclusion and foster belonging for some of the most marginalised young people across our communities.
Across Europe, young people with disabilities, from migrant and refugee backgrounds, and those living in rural or remote areas often face significant barriers to participation, representation, and opportunity. This project will develop innovative tools and resources to equip practitioners with the skills and strategies to drive meaningful change around inclusive integration for these cohorts of young people.
By combining research, practice, and policy innovation, the project will explore how youth work can and does play a central role in creating inclusive pathways for all young people.
Through this project, we will
- Evidence what works by exploring existing youth work practices that successfully support inclusive integration.
- Create innovate tools, models, and resources through collaboration between European organisations, researchers, youth workers, and young people themselves.
- Empower young voices to ensure young people from marginalised backgrounds are at the heart of decision-making, with their lived experiences shaping policy and practice.
- Build capacity of those supporting young people by providing youth workers and educators with the training, tools, and confidence to embed inclusive practices in their work.
- Influence policy by sharing insights and policy recommendations with decision-makers to break down systemic barriers to inclusion.
Inclusive integration is about more than access, it’s about ensuring that all young people, regardless of background or circumstance, can participate fully in their communities, express their identities, and thrive. Youth work is uniquely positioned to make this happen. Through non-formal education, creative practice, and community-building, youth workers can help bridge divides, foster understanding, and create environments where diversity is celebrated.