In February 2025, youth workers from across Europe came together in Milan, Italy, for a unique and impactful Erasmus+ training course called “Equipping Youth Workers for Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Peacebuilding.” This project was designed to help youth workers learn how to support young people in managing conflicts peacefully and building understanding in their communities. As more young people face emotional and social challenges, this program offered tools and knowledge that could help youth workers respond with care, empathy, and structure. The training focused on non-violent communication, conflict resolution, and methods to develop peace education tailored to local needs.
In Bulgaria, many youth workers face daily challenges connected to misunderstanding, frustration, and social division. Before the training, the team at International Connection noticed a growing tension between different youth groups. Some came from minority backgrounds, others had migrated to Bulgaria recently, and many were dealing with emotional struggles or difficulties at home. In youth centers and schools, conflicts often started because of stereotypes, different ways of expressing emotions, or a lack of tools to solve problems calmly. These disagreements, even if small, sometimes turned into larger problems. Young people felt disconnected from one another and from the adults around them. Teachers and youth workers often had no training on how to support peaceful conversations or manage conflicts in a healthy way. There was a strong need for new approaches that could help create safe spaces and positive connections among youth.
The training in Milan offered a completely new experience for the participant from International Connection. It was not just about learning theory. It was about experiencing peacebuilding in action. One of the most eye-opening moments came during a workshop on non-violent communication. Participants were guided to understand how listening deeply and speaking with empathy could change the way people respond during conflict. This simple shift—from reacting to understanding—showed how relationships could improve even when disagreement exists. During another session, a facilitator shared tools for youth mediation, where young people could help their peers find solutions to arguments. This model worked well because it made young people part of the solution, not just passive listeners.
A very inspiring part of the training was a visit to a community project in Milan that used storytelling and art to bring together young people from different cultures. This project focused on helping young people share their experiences and learn how others feel. The result was a stronger connection and less judgment. By hearing the real-life stories of others, the participants from Bulgaria realized that many conflicts are rooted in a lack of understanding and in fear of what feels unfamiliar. The training also included group discussions where youth workers from across Europe shared how they work with conflict in their own countries. These exchanges brought new ideas and strengthened the belief that peacebuilding is possible in any context, if the right tools and mindset are present.
After returning to Bulgaria, the participant from International Connection began planning a new initiative called “Peace Circles.” These were regular meetings in youth centers where young people could gather to talk, listen, and reflect together. Each session was guided by a trained youth worker and used a simple structure of storytelling, sharing feelings, and exploring peaceful ways to handle disagreement. The Peace Circles were inspired directly by the methods learned in Milan. The focus was not on fixing problems quickly but on creating a space where young people felt safe to express themselves and where listening was more important than judging.
The Peace Circles became a place where youth from different backgrounds could meet and realize they were not so different. Some had been involved in conflicts before, while others just wanted to feel part of something positive. In these meetings, participants started to speak about things that were important to them—family problems, school pressure, friendships, identity. Over time, the circles grew in number, and new youth leaders started to emerge. These were young people who had developed confidence, emotional strength, and a sense of responsibility. They wanted to help others feel safe and supported too. This change was noticed by parents and teachers. Many of them reported better behavior, more calm conversations, and fewer arguments both at home and in school. The education community became more open to including peace education in the curriculum, and schools invited the youth workers to deliver short workshops on conflict resolution.
The long-term impact of this initiative was visible in the way young people began to take care of one another. They understood that conflict is a part of life, but how they choose to respond matters. Youth began to use words instead of anger. They asked questions instead of making assumptions. They worked on group projects, created art to express their emotions, and wrote poems about their hopes for the future. The Peace Circles also helped build stronger trust between youth and adults. Many young people shared that it was the first time they felt truly heard. Their voices mattered, and their feelings were respected.
This entire process started with one week in Milan, where a group of youth workers from different countries met to learn how to build peace. The experience showed that training can lead to real change when people return home and take action. It proved that even in difficult environments, hope can grow. Youth workers have the power to guide this change, not by controlling, but by listening, supporting, and inspiring.
Looking forward, the vision is to expand the Peace Circles to other cities in Bulgaria. The team at International Connection is now creating a short guidebook with exercises and facilitation tips, so more youth workers can use the same model. They are also working on partnerships with local schools and municipalities to integrate peace education into after-school programs. The dream is to build a country where every young person feels safe, accepted, and ready to contribute to a peaceful society.
The Erasmus+ training in Milan was more than a project. It was a door to a new way of thinking. It reminded participants that peace begins with listening and that small actions, when done with heart, can create waves of positive change. Youth are not only the future—they are the present. And when they are guided with care, they can become the peacemakers our world needs today.
Category: Peacebuilding
Title: Building Peace Begins with Listening: A Youth Worker’s Journey Toward Community Harmony
In February 2025, youth workers from across Europe came together in Milan, Italy, for a unique and impactful Erasmus+ training course called “Equipping Youth Workers for Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Peacebuilding.” This project was designed to help youth workers learn how to support young people in managing conflicts peacefully and building understanding in their communities. As more young people face emotional and social challenges, this program offered tools and knowledge that could help youth workers respond with care, empathy, and structure. The training focused on non-violent communication, conflict resolution, and methods to develop peace education tailored to local needs.
In Bulgaria, many youth workers face daily challenges connected to misunderstanding, frustration, and social division. Before the training, the team at International Connection noticed a growing tension between different youth groups. Some came from minority backgrounds, others had migrated to Bulgaria recently, and many were dealing with emotional struggles or difficulties at home. In youth centers and schools, conflicts often started because of stereotypes, different ways of expressing emotions, or a lack of tools to solve problems calmly. These disagreements, even if small, sometimes turned into larger problems. Young people felt disconnected from one another and from the adults around them. Teachers and youth workers often had no training on how to support peaceful conversations or manage conflicts in a healthy way. There was a strong need for new approaches that could help create safe spaces and positive connections among youth.
The training in Milan offered a completely new experience for the participant from International Connection. It was not just about learning theory. It was about experiencing peacebuilding in action. One of the most eye-opening moments came during a workshop on non-violent communication. Participants were guided to understand how listening deeply and speaking with empathy could change the way people respond during conflict. This simple shift—from reacting to understanding—showed how relationships could improve even when disagreement exists. During another session, a facilitator shared tools for youth mediation, where young people could help their peers find solutions to arguments. This model worked well because it made young people part of the solution, not just passive listeners.
A very inspiring part of the training was a visit to a community project in Milan that used storytelling and art to bring together young people from different cultures. This project focused on helping young people share their experiences and learn how others feel. The result was a stronger connection and less judgment. By hearing the real-life stories of others, the participants from Bulgaria realized that many conflicts are rooted in a lack of understanding and in fear of what feels unfamiliar. The training also included group discussions where youth workers from across Europe shared how they work with conflict in their own countries. These exchanges brought new ideas and strengthened the belief that peacebuilding is possible in any context, if the right tools and mindset are present.
After returning to Bulgaria, the participant from International Connection began planning a new initiative called “Peace Circles.” These were regular meetings in youth centers where young people could gather to talk, listen, and reflect together. Each session was guided by a trained youth worker and used a simple structure of storytelling, sharing feelings, and exploring peaceful ways to handle disagreement. The Peace Circles were inspired directly by the methods learned in Milan. The focus was not on fixing problems quickly but on creating a space where young people felt safe to express themselves and where listening was more important than judging.
The Peace Circles became a place where youth from different backgrounds could meet and realize they were not so different. Some had been involved in conflicts before, while others just wanted to feel part of something positive. In these meetings, participants started to speak about things that were important to them—family problems, school pressure, friendships, identity. Over time, the circles grew in number, and new youth leaders started to emerge. These were young people who had developed confidence, emotional strength, and a sense of responsibility. They wanted to help others feel safe and supported too. This change was noticed by parents and teachers. Many of them reported better behavior, more calm conversations, and fewer arguments both at home and in school. The education community became more open to including peace education in the curriculum, and schools invited the youth workers to deliver short workshops on conflict resolution.
The long-term impact of this initiative was visible in the way young people began to take care of one another. They understood that conflict is a part of life, but how they choose to respond matters. Youth began to use words instead of anger. They asked questions instead of making assumptions. They worked on group projects, created art to express their emotions, and wrote poems about their hopes for the future. The Peace Circles also helped build stronger trust between youth and adults. Many young people shared that it was the first time they felt truly heard. Their voices mattered, and their feelings were respected.
This entire process started with one week in Milan, where a group of youth workers from different countries met to learn how to build peace. The experience showed that training can lead to real change when people return home and take action. It proved that even in difficult environments, hope can grow. Youth workers have the power to guide this change, not by controlling, but by listening, supporting, and inspiring.
Looking forward, the vision is to expand the Peace Circles to other cities in Bulgaria. The team at International Connection is now creating a short guidebook with exercises and facilitation tips, so more youth workers can use the same model. They are also working on partnerships with local schools and municipalities to integrate peace education into after-school programs. The dream is to build a country where every young person feels safe, accepted, and ready to contribute to a peaceful society.
The Erasmus+ training in Milan was more than a project. It was a door to a new way of thinking. It reminded participants that peace begins with listening and that small actions, when done with heart, can create waves of positive change. Youth are not only the future—they are the present. And when they are guided with care, they can become the peacemakers our world needs today.