Advancing Inclusive Youth Exchange Guidelines

The second international workshop of the YW-MED project took place in Rome on 21 and 22 November 2025, gathering representatives from Italy, Spain, Jordan, Türkiye, Albania, Greece and Malta.

7 countries

24 YW

The Aim

The meeting marked an important stage in the development of the project’s Guidelines for Youth Exchanges, with two days dedicated to collaborative work, discussion and refinement of shared methodologies

Day 1 – Collaborative Design

The first day was hosted at the GAYCS operational office, where partners continued the work that began during the initial workshop earlier in the year.

Building on research conducted in each participating country, as well as on examples of effective practices identified across the Mediterranean region, the group focused on shaping a coherent and practical framework for more inclusive international youth exchanges.

The working sessions were organised in a way that encouraged open dialogue and active participation. Partners examined how language influences group interaction and how youth workers can foster an environment in which young people feel able to take part fully.

Considerable attention was also given to the dynamics that arise in intercultural settings, especially those involving groups with very different social backgrounds and expectations. Throughout the day participants shared insights from their national contexts, which helped to clarify what youth workers need in order to support balanced and respectful exchanges.

The cooperative atmosphere made it possible to translate broad values into concrete tools that can be used in real programmes. By the end of the day the group had outlined the core structure of the future Guidelines and identified the elements that required further refinement on the following day.

Day 2 – Reviewing the Prototypes at “Coming Out”

In the afternoon the conversation shifted toward ensuring that the final document would reflect the shared Mediterranean approach that defines the project. Particular attention was paid to the relevance of local contexts and the importance of flexibility when applying the guidelines in different countries.

The workshop closed with an informal moment between partners, which helped consolidate the sense of collaboration that developed throughout the two days.

The Rome workshop represented an important milestone for the YW-MED consortium. It strengthened cooperation among partners and brought the project significantly closer to delivering a set of practical Guidelines that will support youth workers in planning and facilitating inclusive international exchanges. Once finalised the document will be shared with organisations and stakeholders across the Mediterranean and MENA regions, contributing to a stronger and more connected network committed to inclusive youth work.

The second day took place at Coming Out, a venue located close to the Colosseum and widely recognised as a symbol of community-building and the ongoing pursuit of human rights. Its significance made it an appropriate setting for a discussion centred on participation, dignity and equal access to opportunities for young people across the region.

During the morning partners presented the first prototypes of the Guidelines and worked through them together, examining the consistency of the content and assessing how well the draft responded to the needs that emerged during the research phase. The exchange of feedback was constructive and allowed the group to identify both strengths and areas that required deeper consideration.