In March 2025, the Erasmus+ project “Youth Work Approaches to Preventing Radicalization and Extremism” brought together youth workers from across Europe and beyond for a powerful week of training in Tbilisi, Georgia. The project focused on helping youth professionals develop the skills, tools, and mindset needed to protect young people from harmful ideologies. The training addressed how radicalization develops, how to spot early signs, and how to build resilience through education, critical thinking, and inclusive dialogue. For a youth worker representing the French NGO Together For Youth, this training became a life-changing experience that brought new hope for addressing deep social issues back home.
France is a diverse and dynamic country, but also one that has experienced many social challenges in recent years. Tensions between different communities have grown due to inequality, discrimination, and sometimes fear of cultural difference. In some areas, young people feel excluded or misunderstood, especially if they come from migrant or minority backgrounds. They often face difficulties in education, employment, and social acceptance. The feeling of not being part of society makes some youth more open to extreme beliefs or narratives that promise belonging, identity, and justice. The rise of online misinformation and hate speech has made things worse, as many young people do not always have the tools to question what they see or hear online. Youth workers in France have seen these problems grow and have looked for better ways to respond before young people go too far down a dangerous path.
The training in Tbilisi created a space for deep reflection, learning, and connection. It brought together professionals who were facing similar problems in very different countries, and the shared discussions were honest and emotional. One of the most eye-opening parts of the training was learning how radicalization often begins in silence—not with violence, but with a loss of trust, a feeling of being invisible, or a sense of injustice. Participants explored case studies and stories from around the world, which helped them understand that behind every radicalized person there is a personal story of pain, rejection, or confusion.
Another important part of the training was media literacy. The sessions helped participants see how quickly fake news and hateful ideas can spread, especially among youth who spend a lot of time online. Learning how to teach young people to think critically, check facts, and express their own opinions in a respectful way became one of the most valuable parts of the experience. The training also offered role-playing exercises that helped participants practice how to respond when faced with extreme ideas, group tension, or difficult conversations. It was not only about what to say, but also how to listen with respect and create a safe space for dialogue.
One visit to a local youth center in Tbilisi left a strong impression. There, the team met with young people who had experienced violence, conflict, or social exclusion, and they shared how youth workers helped them rebuild confidence and find purpose. The creative methods used—art, music, storytelling—showed how powerful it is to connect through human emotion instead of facts alone.
Returning to France, the youth worker from Together For Youth decided to take immediate action. With support from the NGO, they launched a project called “Open Spaces,” aimed at young people from diverse backgrounds living in suburbs of Paris. These were places where young people often felt unheard or unvalued, and where misunderstandings between communities could easily grow. The project used the same ideas and practices learned in Tbilisi: critical media literacy, respectful discussion, and emotional support.
Each week, young people gathered in community centers to talk about themes like identity, discrimination, and belonging. They watched short videos, read news articles, and shared their thoughts and feelings. Youth workers guided the discussions carefully, using techniques from the training to keep the space respectful and open. Participants were also given tools to check information online, express their opinions calmly, and understand other people’s perspectives.
The project did not only focus on young people. Teachers and parents were invited to take part in separate sessions where they could learn how to support youth, recognize early signs of isolation or radical thoughts, and build trust in their families and classrooms. Some teachers began using the exercises in their classes, while parents said the sessions helped them understand their children’s struggles more clearly.
The impact of “Open Spaces” quickly became visible. Youth who had once been shy or silent began to share their opinions and listen to others. Some said it was the first time they felt safe to talk about their background, faith, or fears without being judged. A few participants said they had believed in strong opinions before the project, but the discussions helped them see things differently. One young person who had often shared aggressive content online later created a small campaign for respectful dialogue, encouraging others to think before they post.
Teachers in local schools reported improvements in student behavior and communication. Some even started small classroom projects where students explored issues of diversity, peace, and online safety. The project also brought together youth from different cultural backgrounds, helping them build friendships and trust across lines that used to divide them.
Together For Youth shared the success of the project with local councils and national networks. The results were shared at an education conference in Lyon, where the model received praise for its simplicity, realism, and focus on young people’s daily experiences. The organization is now working to expand the project to other regions, with the goal of training more youth workers and educators in the same methods.
Reflecting on the journey from Tbilisi to Paris, one message stands clear: the fight against radicalization does not happen only in big speeches or high-level policies. It begins in small rooms, where young people are given the chance to talk, listen, and feel seen. It begins with trust, with respect, and with giving space to emotions that are often ignored. Youth work, when done with care and understanding, becomes one of the strongest tools for peace and inclusion.
The Erasmus+ project was not just a training—it was a reminder of what youth workers can do when they are empowered, connected, and inspired. It showed that across borders, languages, and experiences, youth are facing many of the same challenges—and also hold many of the same hopes. The work continues, in France and everywhere, to make sure every young person knows they are not alone, and that their voice matters in building a peaceful, respectful society.