In February 2025, youth workers from across Europe gathered in Milan, Italy, for an Erasmus+ training course titled “Equipping Youth Workers for Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Peacebuilding.” This international project was designed to strengthen the capacities of youth workers to support young people in navigating conflicts, building understanding, and creating stronger communities. The training emphasized the importance of non-violent communication, mediation, peace education, and intercultural dialogue. At a time when many young people are dealing with tensions in schools, online, and in local communities, the project provided practical tools to promote peace and encourage respectful dialogue.
In Germany, especially in large cities like Berlin, youth work faces new challenges due to social divisions, rising tensions in diverse communities, and the increase of verbal violence in both digital and real-life settings. Many young people feel unheard, misunderstood, or isolated, which sometimes leads to arguments and exclusion, particularly in multicultural schools or youth centers. Before the training in Milan, there was already a growing need for more structured approaches to conflict resolution in youth work. While Copernicus Berlin e.V. had been active in promoting civic engagement and youth participation, there was still a gap in training youth workers to deal with conflict in ways that are both constructive and inclusive.
The training course in Milan opened new perspectives. It was not only a space to gain new knowledge but also a moment to reflect on how conflict is part of human relationships and how it can be managed in a healthier way. One of the most powerful lessons from the training was the concept of active listening. Through role plays, case studies, and mediation simulations, participants practiced how to stay calm, understand different sides of a conflict, and respond with empathy. A highlight of the program was a workshop led by a local peacebuilding initiative in Milan that uses restorative circles in schools to help young people resolve disputes and rebuild trust. This method, based on listening and shared responsibility, inspired many participants.
Another strong aspect of the training was its intercultural setting. Youth workers from different backgrounds shared stories from their countries, showing how conflicts can look different depending on the cultural and social context. The international exchange created a safe and respectful environment where everyone could learn from each other’s experiences. It became clear that peaceful dialogue and mediation are not only useful tools in crisis moments but also important practices to build long-term community harmony.
After returning to Germany, the youth worker from Copernicus Berlin e.V. decided to start a local peace education project named “Bridges Not Walls.” The goal of this initiative was to bring peacebuilding into everyday youth work by creating a space where young people could learn conflict resolution skills and feel safe to express themselves. The project started with a series of workshops in Berlin’s youth centers, focusing on emotional awareness, respectful communication, and community-building exercises. The idea was not to teach theory but to give young people real experiences of connection, mutual respect, and understanding.
The workshops included interactive games, storytelling circles, and theatre methods to explore real-life conflict scenarios. Participants learned how to identify the roots of a conflict, how to manage emotions in heated moments, and how to communicate without blame. A key part of the program was also peer mediation training, where selected young people were supported to become mediators in their own schools or community groups. These young mediators helped others deal with small disputes, creating a new culture of peace from within their peer networks.
The impact of “Bridges Not Walls” was quickly visible. Youth participants said they felt more confident in dealing with conflicts and more able to speak openly about their needs and feelings. Teachers and parents noticed that young people who took part in the program showed more empathy and patience in difficult situations. One school in Berlin adopted parts of the program into their student council work, allowing peer mediators to play a bigger role in improving the school environment. Some participants from immigrant backgrounds also shared that this was the first time they felt truly heard and included in a group discussion about problems they face in everyday life.
On a broader level, the initiative helped Copernicus Berlin e.V. to strengthen its focus on inclusion and resilience in its youth work approach. It created new partnerships with schools, educators, and local NGOs interested in building more peaceful communities. The success of “Bridges Not Walls” also led to the development of a digital toolkit with activities and methods that other youth workers can use in their local contexts. This way, the knowledge and practices gained during the Milan training continued to spread across Germany and beyond.
The Erasmus+ training in Milan did more than just provide skills. It offered a new way of seeing youth work as a space for healing, connection, and growth. Conflicts are a natural part of life, especially during adolescence, but youth workers can make a big difference in how young people experience and respond to them. By learning to mediate, listen, and foster mutual understanding, youth workers support the emotional development of young people and contribute to stronger and more inclusive communities.
The experience left a deep mark on the participant from Copernicus Berlin e.V. and showed that peacebuilding is not only for post-conflict zones or high-level diplomacy. It begins in schools, in youth clubs, in families, and in the small but important moments of everyday life. When young people are given the right tools, they can become builders of peace, role models for their peers, and active shapers of a more just and compassionate society.
The journey in Milan was a reminder that change begins with connection. Through dialogue, education, and a commitment to listen without judgment, youth workers can guide young people through conflicts and help them find their voice. As the world becomes more complex, divided, and fast-moving, projects like this show that peace is not just a dream but a practice—and one that starts with youth.