In March 2025, the Erasmus+ project titled “Youth Work Approaches to Preventing Radicalization and Extremism” was held in Tbilisi, Georgia. The program gathered youth workers from across Europe and its neighboring regions for an important mission—to better understand the root causes of radicalization and to learn how to prevent it through education, critical thinking, and community-building. The project highlighted how youth work can be a powerful response to rising division and misinformation in society. For a participant from Armenia representing the organization Copernicus Yerevan, the training became a powerful and emotional experience that led to real change at home.
Before attending the project, the participant was already aware of the challenges many young people in Armenia were facing. Although Armenia is known for its strong traditions, hospitality, and close communities, young people in the country still experience many forms of social and economic pressure. In recent years, the country has experienced conflict, political instability, and increasing online polarization. Many youth, especially those in rural areas or those affected by past or present tensions, struggle to feel hopeful or secure about their future. Some feel invisible in political or social discussions. Without guidance, these feelings can lead to mistrust, anger, and, in some cases, exposure to extremist narratives that offer false hope or belonging.
The training in Tbilisi created an environment where all these issues could be shared, understood, and explored in depth. Youth workers were introduced to the emotional, social, and psychological roots of radicalization. The course did not focus only on how to react after a problem appears—it focused on prevention. One powerful lesson was the importance of identifying early signs of radical thinking. These signs can include isolation, sudden behavior changes, or black-and-white thinking. The training showed how radicalization often grows in silence, starting with a young person who feels misunderstood or rejected.
Media literacy was one of the most eye-opening aspects of the training. Participants explored how misinformation, hate speech, and conspiracy theories are spreading fast online, especially on social media platforms where many young people spend time. The training introduced practical methods to teach critical thinking, including how to recognize manipulation and fact-check content. These tools were immediately recognized as useful for work back in Armenia.
Role-playing exercises gave participants the chance to simulate difficult conversations, such as confronting hate speech or supporting a youth in crisis. The activities helped build confidence and emotional strength. Visits to Georgian youth centers provided even more inspiration. In these centers, community leaders and youth workers used arts, sports, and open dialogue to create safe spaces where youth felt respected and valued. These local models showed that even with limited resources, it is possible to build strong connections and support systems that protect youth from dangerous influences.
After returning to Armenia, the participant was determined to apply this new knowledge in a way that would benefit both youth and the wider community. With support from Copernicus Yerevan, a new initiative called “Voices Without Borders” was created. The project focused on engaging young people in civic dialogue, media awareness, and personal storytelling. The name reflected the idea that every voice deserves to be heard and that understanding others can break down the invisible walls of fear and division.
The project held a series of workshops across Yerevan and surrounding regions. Each workshop invited young people from different backgrounds—students, artists, rural youth, and others—to come together in a safe and open environment. The sessions combined storytelling, media analysis, and group reflection. Participants were encouraged to share their life experiences, talk about the challenges they faced, and listen to others with empathy. Some of the youth spoke for the first time about being affected by war, poverty, or online bullying. Others opened up about feeling misunderstood at school or judged by their community.
Alongside the workshops, Copernicus Yerevan organized training sessions for youth workers, educators, and parents. These sessions focused on how to spot early signs of radicalization and how to respond with calmness, care, and support. The training materials used in Tbilisi were adapted into Armenian, making them accessible and useful for local work. The program also included a media literacy module delivered in high schools, where students practiced evaluating online sources, identifying hate speech, and exploring how media influences opinion.
The response from participants was deeply moving. Many young people reported feeling more confident in expressing themselves and in talking with those who held different views. They learned how to have peaceful discussions, how to understand emotional triggers, and how to speak up when they saw injustice. Teachers shared that classroom dynamics improved, with more respect and openness among students. Some schools began to include critical media activities as part of regular lessons. Parents who joined sessions expressed surprise and appreciation for the chance to understand their children’s online world and emotions more clearly.
The project created a small ripple effect. Youth who had taken part in “Voices Without Borders” started local mini-initiatives, including peer groups and discussion circles. One school in a rural region began a “Safe Word” project, where students could anonymously share fears or problems and receive guidance from trained staff. Municipal leaders in Yerevan invited Copernicus Yerevan to present the program at a youth policy consultation, where it received praise for its hands-on approach and emotional impact.
The experience showed that the most important work often happens in quiet conversations—in the moments where a young person feels they are finally heard, accepted, and supported. The Erasmus+ training in Tbilisi planted the seeds, but it was the deep emotional commitment of youth workers back home that helped those seeds grow into real change.
Looking ahead, Copernicus Yerevan plans to continue and expand the project. The goal is to reach even more youth in rural and conflict-affected areas, to include more parents and teachers in the learning process, and to create a long-term network of trained youth workers across Armenia. The experience confirmed that civic engagement is not about politics alone—it is about creating a sense of community, responsibility, and belonging. When youth are empowered to speak, listen, and act with empathy, they become a powerful force for peace.
The journey from Tbilisi to Yerevan was more than a professional development experience. It was a reminder that peace begins in the heart and mind of each person. Youth workers can be the bridge between silence and safety, between confusion and clarity. Through respectful dialogue, education, and inclusion, the hope for a more united and resilient Armenia can become reality—one conversation at a time.