In March 2025, an important Erasmus+ training took place in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the name “Youth Work Approaches to Preventing Radicalization and Extremism.” This project brought together youth workers from across Europe and beyond, aiming to provide practical tools and deeper understanding to those working on the frontlines of social tension. The training addressed the rising threat of radicalization and extremism among young people and focused on prevention strategies that start at the community level. By promoting media literacy, emotional intelligence, and constructive dialogue, the program gave youth workers a chance to not only learn new approaches but to share experiences and rebuild hope in divided societies.
The training came at a crucial time for youth workers in Germany. In recent years, Germany has faced increasing polarization, influenced by social media, political rhetoric, and the effects of global crises. Some communities, especially in urban areas, were showing signs of growing mistrust and social fragmentation. Young people were often caught in the middle of this divide. Many had trouble finding identity or belonging and were more vulnerable to radical ideologies offering simple answers to complex problems. For Copernicus Berlin e.V., a youth-focused NGO working in education and civic engagement, this situation raised urgent questions about how to support young people before they fall into dangerous paths.
In the months before the training in Tbilisi, several youth centers in Berlin had reported rising tension among young participants. Debates were becoming more hostile, and social media messages were spreading hate faster than ever. Youth workers wanted to help but sometimes lacked the tools to deal with deep-rooted ideological conflict. They saw the symptoms—anger, exclusion, fear—but not always the causes. The Erasmus+ training promised more than theory; it promised action and new ways of thinking.
Arriving in Tbilisi, the German participant immediately felt part of something larger. Youth workers from different backgrounds sat in the same room, each with their own stories, but sharing the same concern. They listened to stories from countries where extremism had already taken lives. They spoke about social isolation, propaganda, and how hate can be disguised as belonging. These conversations were not easy, but they were necessary. It was clear that preventing extremism could not be done with one tool or one method. It had to be a holistic, people-centered process that begins with trust.
One of the most powerful parts of the training was the role-playing exercises. Participants had to step into the shoes of different characters—young people experiencing exclusion, families struggling to help, or teachers unsure how to act. These simulations were emotional but eye-opening. They showed how radicalization is not only about ideas—it is about pain, silence, and the feeling of being invisible. Through these sessions, the youth worker from Copernicus Berlin gained a new understanding of empathy as a prevention tool.
Another memorable part of the program was the media literacy training. In the digital age, fake news and hate speech are common weapons of extremism. The sessions taught how to recognize online manipulation, identify propaganda, and help youth ask critical questions about what they read and watch. The group explored methods for creating digital campaigns that promote peace and inclusion instead of fear. These hands-on exercises sparked ideas for new projects back home.
Returning to Germany, the participant felt a strong responsibility to apply the lessons learned. Together with Copernicus Berlin e.V., a new project was launched called “Digital Awareness Circles.” The initiative focused on creating small peer groups in schools and youth centers across Berlin. Each group met weekly to discuss media content, personal experiences with discrimination, and how to respond peacefully to social division. Using real news stories, video clips, and open dialogue, the youth circles became a place for reflection, honesty, and growth.
The project also offered short workshops for teachers and parents. Many adults wanted to support young people but did not know how. The training in Tbilisi had shown that prevention must involve families and educators, not just youth workers. By sharing the tools from the Erasmus+ course, the Copernicus Berlin team helped build a broader safety net for young people at risk.
The results were quickly visible. Students who joined the circles began showing more confidence in expressing their opinions. They learned how to listen, how to disagree without aggression, and how to fact-check what they saw online. Some participants said they felt more connected to their peers and less isolated. One group created a small digital campaign to fight online hate, spreading messages of unity in three languages. Teachers noticed a calmer atmosphere in classrooms, where students took more responsibility for their words and actions.
The success of the “Digital Awareness Circles” led to further collaboration with local municipalities. Copernicus Berlin was invited to present the project at a civic education event, where they discussed how early dialogue and critical thinking could reduce future risks of extremism. This recognition helped secure funding for the next stage of the project, expanding it to smaller towns outside Berlin where youth often feel forgotten or disconnected.
Beyond the numbers, the most meaningful result was the shift in perspective among both young people and adults. Dialogue became more than a word—it became a method for healing. Students started asking questions like “Why does this message make me angry?” or “How can I respond differently?” These are small changes, but they mark the beginning of deeper understanding.
Looking ahead, the hope is to connect the “Digital Awareness Circles” with similar initiatives across Europe. The Erasmus+ project in Tbilisi proved that international exchange strengthens local change. By learning from others, youth workers grow stronger in their mission. The vision now is to build a network of safe spaces—places where youth can explore, express, and evolve without fear.
Youth are not the problem in radicalization—they are the key to the solution. When they are empowered, informed, and supported, they become builders of peace and bridges between communities. The training in Georgia reminded everyone involved that prevention begins not with fear, but with trust. It begins when one person decides to listen, to act, and to believe that change is possible.
Thanks to Erasmus+ and the work of Copernicus Berlin e.V., this belief is now taking shape in classrooms, community centers, and conversations across Germany. A brighter, more peaceful future is not just a dream. It is being created, one youth worker and one young person at a time.