Younost+

Younost+ is a newcomer, non-political, non-profit informal youth group dedicated to empowering and integrating young individuals within the multicultural European society. Our mission is to provide equal opportunities, foster collaboration, and promote education and cultural awareness among young people. Through intercultural exchanges and progressive ideas, we aim to create a society where all young individuals can thrive, achieve personal and professional growth, and actively contribute to shaping their own future based on European democratic values. We are committed to breaking down barriers, combating discrimination, and building meaningful connections among diverse cultures, while providing valuable resources and support to guide young individuals on their journey towards success in today's dynamic world. The founders of Younost+ first crossed paths during a dynamic and interactive program aimed at learning the Russian language. Despite their diverse backgrounds, fueled by their shared passion for language and culture, as well as their participation in a range of activities in an inclusive, welcoming, and dynamic environment, the founders recognized the profound value of active youth engagement in experiential learning. Through interactive and hands-on activities that require young individuals to step out of their comfort zones and take risks, they can develop resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills that are essential for overcoming obstacles and facing challenges with confidence, and for civic engagement, taking a significant stride towards a contemporary European mindset. The initiatives of our team primarily, but not exclusively, target young individuals between the ages of 18 and 30 who are either embarking on their professional/ educational journeys or seeking opportunities for growth interaction within the multicultural European society. Through our endeavors, we strive to provide the utmost support, offering valuable information, promoting equal opportunities, fostering collaboration, while providing the necessary tools to excel and thrive in today's dynamic and competitive landscape through successful integration into the workforce and society at large. Therefore, a main commission of ours is to empower young people and increase their participation in decision-making processes, and to equally support one another by embracing the diversity that makes everyone unique and beautifully creative. Our goal is to pave our new and unique road for social change, realize civic involvement and active citizenship through arts-based and research-based approaches, so as to embrace ideas generated by the bright and creative minds of young individuals. The main aims of Younost+ include the following: ● Social inclusion and inclusivity: Our group strives to create an inclusive, welcoming, supportive, and non-judgemental environment where all young people, regardless of their background or circumstances, feel valued, respected, heard, and understood. Inclusivity ensures that everyone has an equal opportunity to participate and contribute, while treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation. ● Empowerment: Our group aims to equip young people with the skills, competences, and attitudes to become leaders and change-makers in their own right. Empowerment enables young individuals to become autonomous and actively participate in decision-making processes that affect them. We strive to empower young individuals with resources and opportunities that enable them to embrace European standards and values. ● Training and innovation: Our group recognizes that training and innovation are crucial for personal and social development. It strives to provide high-quality, innovative programs and activities that enable young people to develop their knowledge, skills, and competencies, and to explore new ideas and perspectives. It also promotes training innovative techniques of civic involvement and taking a big step into the contemporary European way of thinking, while increasing awareness of their personal strengths and encouraging them to take action and achieve educational accomplishments. It develops innovative initiatives to foster a fresh and forward-thinking approach towards addressing matters of minority rights, discrimination, and engaging with the European and non-European world. ● Collaboration: Our group believes in the power of working together with individuals, communities, organizations, and institutions across Europe. Collaboration allows for the pooling of resources, expertise, and networks, leading to more impactful outcomes, such as employment opportunities for young people, and a better future. ● Cultural awareness: Our group enriches society through cultural exchange, encourages young people to contribute to the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage, engages youth in intercultural dialogue, and fosters social entrepreneurship. It also advocates for the rights and well-being of vulnerable social groups and addresses their challenges to prevent social exclusion. It values and promotes the diversity of Europe's cultures, languages, and traditions, while creating opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to participate in programs and activities. ● Volunteering and personal development: Our group empowers young individuals by training them on human rights, meaningful participation and active citizenship. It fosters and promotes volunteerism, emphasizing its benefits and integrating it as a valuable practice in their daily lives. It provides young people with resources for personal fulfillment, technical and professional skills development, and encourages them to embrace new opportunities. ● Self expression: The group empowers young individuals to explore fresh avenues in their educational or professional endeavors by organizing seminars, workshops, training courses and promoting artistic and cultural activities. ● Environmental sustainability and social responsibility: The group promotes sustainable development and responsible consumption and production in all its activities. It recognizes the importance of environmental sustainability and social responsibility in creating a better future for all. In this time and age, young adults face many challenges, for instance, academic and peer pressure, career challenges, economic struggles, and even social exclusion and inequality related to marginalized social groups. While trying to ease young individuals of their worries and stay tuned with the rapid global changes and the constant intercultural dialogue, Younost+ is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of young people in our community and beyond. We are fervently engaged in Erasmus+ initiatives, actively participating in Youth Exchanges and Training Sessions. An exemplary illustration of our involvement is our recent participation in a Training Session held in Ohrid, North Macedonia, spanning from May 7th to 12th, 2023. This immersive session was part of the "Art for Social Change" project, orchestrated by the remarkable Center for Balkan Cooperation, LOJA. This project was an embodiment of our commitment to wield the transformative power of art for the benefit of society. The program delved into immersive workshops and collaborative activities, empowering us to tackle vital themes such as equality, inclusivity, and environmental conservation through the medium of art. A further testament to our commitment was the workshop we organized in Thessaloniki, Greece on July 18th, 2023, under the title "Unleashing the Power Within Young People: Psycho-Emotional and Psycho-Social Skills, STEM Education & Brain Function Empowerment Through Learning." This workshop was conceived to offer young individuals a dynamic and immersive training encounter, cultivating essential skills, fostering holistic development, and igniting their creativity and critical thinking abilities. Moreover, our active engagement extended to an Erasmus+ Youth Exchange held in Bergolo, Italy, spanning from July 15th to 24th, 2023, as part of the DAGAL project "Art Reaction," orchestrated by Parco Culturale Alta Langa. This initiative revolved around cultural exchange and artistic exploration within the embrace of nature. Immersed in diverse art forms, we engaged with participants hailing from around the globe, intertwining our creative exploration with a deeper connection to the environment. Nature itself served as an inspirational wellspring for our artistic pursuits, fostering an organic synergy between creativity and the world around us. If you are interested in a partnership or have a concrete project idea, please us: e-mail: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/younostplus Instagram: @younostplus