Bridges, not Walls

As a newly established youth group, our work is centered on promoting cultural awareness, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue among young people in Cyprus. Although we are at the beginning of our journey, our members bring valuable experience from their active participation in various Erasmus+ youth exchanges, training courses, and local volunteering initiatives, which has shaped our approach to youth work. We regularly engage young people in non-formal education activities such as workshops, cultural exchange events, debates, discussion circles, and community-building initiatives aimed at combating discrimination, xenophobia, and social exclusion. Our group also conducts needs assessments and surveys among local youth to better understand their challenges and design relevant activities that respond to those needs. Additionally, we aim to collaborate with local cultural centres, NGOs, and youth clubs to create spaces where young people can share their cultural backgrounds, learn from each other, and develop critical thinking, empathy, and civic responsibility. Our ongoing work focuses on equipping youth with practical tools to recognise and counter stereotypes, hate speech, and prejudice both online and offline, while encouraging them to become active citizens who contribute positively to Cypriot and European society. Most recently, our first Erasmus+ youth exchange project, “From Bias to Belonging” got granted. The project focuses on promoting inclusion, intercultural understanding, and active citizenship, while addressing discrimination, racism, xenophobia, and social exclusion among young people. It brings together participants from different cultural and social backgrounds to learn through non-formal education activities such as workshops, discussions, intercultural visits, creative sessions, and experiential learning methods. The aim is to help young people challenge stereotypes, develop empathy, and gain practical skills to respond to hate speech and prejudice in their everyday lives. We are currently in the preparation phase of the project, working closely with partner organisations and young participants to design the activities and ensure inclusive and meaningful participation. It will be implemented in Spring 2026, and it will serve as a key step in building our organisation’s experience. Aims of Our Group Promote cultural awareness and appreciation among young people in Cyprus, encouraging them to value diversity as a strength. Foster intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding between youth from different cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds. Equip young people with skills to combat discrimination, xenophobia, racism, and social exclusion in both online and offline environments. Empower youth to become active, responsible, and engaged citizens who contribute positively to their local and European communities. Strengthen European values of solidarity, tolerance, respect, and cooperation among young people. Develop empathy, intercultural sensitivity, and open-mindedness by addressing stereotypes and encouraging meaningful cultural exchange. Create inclusive and safe spaces for youth participation where young people can freely express themselves, collaborate, and grow together.