In March 2025, an international Erasmus+ training course titled “Youth Work Approaches to Preventing Radicalization and Extremism” was held in Tbilisi, Georgia. The course brought together youth workers from across Europe to learn, reflect, and develop tools to help protect young people from the dangers of radical ideologies. The training was created to respond to the growing polarization and tensions in societies around the world, where young people are often the most vulnerable to misinformation, hate speech, and extremist recruitment. For the youth worker from Youth Prague z.s., the organization representing Czechia, the training was a transformative journey that not only enriched their professional knowledge but also inspired new actions back home.
In Czechia, the situation before the training was becoming more challenging. Many young people, especially those from underrepresented or economically weak communities, were feeling disconnected from public life. Online platforms, while helpful in many ways, had also become spaces where hate speech, conspiracy theories, and extreme content spread quickly. Schools and youth centers were often not prepared to deal with these new threats. Youth workers in Czechia felt the need for better tools and stronger partnerships to respond to these issues in a meaningful and peaceful way. The sense of isolation that some young people felt was being used by groups who wanted to pull them into dangerous ideologies. There was an urgent need for youth work to become a more active force in prevention and community building.
The training in Tbilisi offered something different from regular workshops or lectures. It was a space where people from different cultures, languages, and realities came together with the same purpose: to understand radicalization and how to stop it through peaceful and positive methods. The training began with sessions that helped participants understand the deeper causes of radicalization, such as identity loss, discrimination, exclusion, and misinformation. What stood out was that the training was not only about identifying problems but also about creating solutions rooted in empathy and dialogue.
The role-playing scenarios during the training allowed participants to step into real-life situations, such as confronting hate speech, supporting vulnerable youth, or leading a community dialogue. These experiences were both emotional and eye-opening. Participants realized how important it is to not just talk about problems but to be ready to act calmly, respectfully, and confidently when faced with difficult moments. One important part of the course was media literacy training. It showed how easy it is for young people to fall into extremist thinking through online manipulation and fake news. By learning how to teach critical thinking and digital skills, the youth worker from Czechia gained practical knowledge that could be used immediately after returning home.
What made the training special was also the visit to local community projects in Georgia. Participants saw how Georgian youth organizations worked closely with families, teachers, and local governments to prevent radicalization. These community-driven approaches were inspiring and reminded everyone that change is possible when all parts of society come together.
Returning to Czechia, the youth worker felt motivated to take action. With support from Youth Prague z.s., they developed a local initiative called “Youth Dialogues for Peace.” The goal of the project was to create safe and inclusive spaces where young people could talk about identity, belonging, and the things that divide or unite them. The workshops were designed to include role-playing, discussions, and media literacy exercises inspired by what was learned in Tbilisi. The team also invited local experts and former participants of international trainings to share their experiences and knowledge.
Another important part of the project was involving schools and community centers in Prague. Teachers and youth leaders were invited to take part in short trainings that helped them understand how radicalization begins and what small steps they can take to prevent it. These efforts focused on promoting critical thinking, kindness, and constructive dialogue among young people.
The impact of “Youth Dialogues for Peace” became visible after a few months. Many young participants said they had never been in a space where they could talk openly about their feelings or opinions without fear of judgment. Some of them shared how they had been influenced by online hate or conspiracy theories, and how the workshops helped them question these views and find new ways of thinking. In schools, teachers noticed that students became more engaged during discussions and showed more respect for different perspectives. Some teachers started including media literacy exercises in their regular lessons. Parents also became more involved, and some even attended evening sessions on how to talk with their children about difficult topics like extremism, online safety, and cultural differences.
The local government in Prague also took interest in the project. Representatives from youth departments were invited to observe the sessions and offered to support future activities. A short report from the training experience and the follow-up project was shared with city officials, who appreciated the practical approach and youth-friendly methods. This helped start new conversations about how to include prevention strategies in local youth policies.
Reflecting on this experience, it became clear that youth work is not just about organizing events or giving advice. It is about creating real change by building trust, promoting understanding, and empowering young people to make responsible choices. The Erasmus+ training in Tbilisi was a turning point, not just for the participant from Czechia, but for everyone involved. It reminded everyone that peace does not come automatically—it is something that must be learned, practiced, and protected every day.
Looking forward, there is a strong belief that young people are not only the future but also the present drivers of peace and unity. With the right support, tools, and spaces, they can be the ones who lead the fight against hate and division. Youth workers, educators, and communities must continue to invest in inclusive education, emotional support, and meaningful participation. Through international projects like this one, and through local actions inspired by shared knowledge, there is hope for a world where every young person feels safe, heard, and empowered to choose peace.