Close in the Distance

Close in the Distance's working group is made up of youth workers, psychotherapists, educators, trainers, family mediators, and volunteers who, alongside their professional careers, have always been committed to volunteer work and activism. During the COVID years, we became more involved in online volunteering, digital social work, and ongoing education and training in virtual formats. Close in the Distance derives its name from a song featured in a popular online multiplayer game, a space where people of all ages—teens, adults, families, and even seniors—naturally come together. Our origins lie in digital volunteering, Digital Youth Work and family support during the pandemic, where virtual environments became hubs for connection and resilience. To date, our mission is entirely centred on the following key words and key topics: Digital Inclusion and Media Literacy Gender Equality European Values and informal Civic Engagement LGBTIQA+ Inclusion, both online and offline Specifically, our initiatives focus on: 1. Activities, programs, and projects strongly focused on feminist and queer perspectives, along with broader SOGIESC topics, working primarily to introduce these concepts into Youth Work and social environments, with a focus on psychological services and family counseling. 2. Awareness-raising activities on everyday digital life, promoting the integration and use of virtual tools, including video games and digital roleplay, in contexts ranging from therapeutic support to family counseling. We also use these tools to convey, in a broader way, essential civic, democratic, and diversity-inclusive skills and values. 3. Initiatives that counter the negative effects of the digital world, such as new forms of addiction to gaming or social media, through resources and workshops held both in person and, primarily, online. We also train other professionals and public and private prevention centers in this field. 4. Identity support and affirmation activities, especially for young LGBTIQA+ individuals, reaching and engaging them mainly online, offering not only a listening ear but also resources and empowerment pathways, role models, and helpful information, particularly in cases of discrimination, bullying, and abuse, whether by peers or family. 5. European Values Literacy, delivered through formal, non-formal, and informal pathways, both online and offline, with a particular focus on young people and adults with limited awareness or understanding in this area. Although still a "less experienced organization," we have acquired significant expertise in the Erasmus+ Program and Cooperation Partnerships, effectively acting as a competent lead organization. Interested in mutual collaboration and potential partnerships? Write us at: