In November 2024, youth workers from across Europe came together in Benalmádena, Spain, to take part in the Erasmus+ training course Empowering Youth Workers for LGBT Rights and Inclusion. The program was designed to strengthen youth workers’ capacity to promote equality, inclusion, and respect for human rights in their daily activities with young people. Among the participants was a youth worker representing Youth Prague, an NGO from Czechia dedicated to supporting young people through education, creative projects, and community building. For the participant, the week-long experience was not only about professional growth but also about personal reflection on the meaning of empathy, acceptance, and active inclusion in youth work.
The Erasmus+ project offered a safe and inspiring environment for participants to learn, exchange ideas, and explore how youth workers can create more inclusive spaces. The training addressed key challenges faced by LGBT youth, who often encounter discrimination, social isolation, and a lack of understanding in their schools and communities. Through interactive workshops, real-life case studies, and intercultural learning, participants gained practical tools to foster equality and diversity in their work. The project was rooted in the belief that youth work can be a powerful tool to build a society where everyone feels respected and supported.
The Local Context in Czechia
In Czechia, discussions about equality and LGBT inclusion have become more visible in recent years, but challenges still exist. While Prague is known for its open and diverse atmosphere, young people in smaller towns often face prejudice and a lack of understanding regarding sexual orientation and gender identity. Before the project in Benalmádena, many youth organizations, including Youth Prague, were aware that despite progress in public attitudes, there was still limited access to training and educational materials for youth workers to effectively support LGBT youth.
Many schools and youth centers in Czechia tend to avoid topics related to gender and sexuality out of fear of controversy or misunderstanding. This silence often leaves young people feeling alone and confused when they seek guidance or acceptance. Moreover, some teachers and youth workers lack the tools or confidence to handle sensitive conversations about inclusion and human rights. Youth Prague had been working on youth empowerment and intercultural understanding for several years, but the Erasmus+ project opened an opportunity to take the next step—focusing specifically on inclusion for LGBT youth as an essential part of modern youth work.
The participant from Youth Prague saw the training in Spain as a chance to gain new insights and learn how inclusion can be promoted through dialogue, education, and creativity. The hope was to bring new ideas back home to strengthen the culture of acceptance in Czech youth communities.
The Training Experience in Benalmádena
The training course in Benalmádena was a week of discovery, learning, and human connection. From the very first day, the atmosphere was filled with openness and respect. Participants came from different cultural and professional backgrounds, but all shared the same goal—to make youth work more inclusive and empowering for everyone.
The sessions were interactive and emotionally engaging. Trainers used non-formal education methods such as role plays, storytelling, and group reflections to explore themes like identity, discrimination, and empathy. These exercises helped participants experience inclusion not only as a concept but as a lived reality. The youth worker from Youth Prague found it eye-opening to see how small actions—like choosing inclusive language or listening without judgment—could make a significant difference in how young people feel accepted.
One of the most powerful experiences during the training was a workshop focused on “creating safe spaces.” Participants learned practical steps to make youth centers and classrooms more welcoming for LGBT young people. The group discussed the importance of visibility, positive representation, and open communication. Local speakers from Spain shared examples of community initiatives that promote diversity through art, social media, and education. These stories showed how change can start at a very local level and still have a wide-reaching impact.
The evenings in Benalmádena were filled with intercultural exchange, where participants shared their countries’ realities, traditions, and challenges. Through these conversations, it became clear that despite differences in culture and context, inclusion and equality are values that unite people everywhere. The supportive and honest environment of the training made everyone feel part of a shared mission—to make the world safer and kinder for young people of all identities.
Post-Project Action in Czechia
After returning to Prague, the participant from Youth Prague was determined to turn the lessons from Spain into action. Inspired by the energy and creativity of the training, the NGO launched a local initiative called Safe Spaces CZ. The goal of the project was to provide youth workers, teachers, and young people with tools to understand inclusion better and to create supportive environments for everyone, especially LGBT youth.
The first activities included interactive workshops held in schools and community centers. The workshops focused on empathy, respectful communication, and understanding diversity. The approach was simple but powerful—help young people learn how to listen, respect differences, and stand against discrimination. The sessions also provided a space for participants to share their experiences and challenges, helping them see that they were not alone in their journey toward acceptance.
To reach a wider audience, Youth Prague also organized an online campaign sharing educational posts, personal stories, and resources about equality and inclusion. The aim was to normalize discussions around LGBT topics and show that diversity is a natural and valuable part of every community. The initiative was supported by volunteers who had also participated in Erasmus+ projects, showing how international experiences can inspire long-lasting local action.
The Impact on Youth and the Community
Within months, Safe Spaces CZ began to show tangible results. Youth centers that joined the initiative started adopting more inclusive practices, such as using gender-neutral language and creating open discussion groups. Many young people reported feeling safer and more confident expressing themselves. Teachers and youth workers who attended the workshops shared that they had gained new confidence in addressing sensitive topics and building mutual respect in their classrooms.
The project also strengthened partnerships between NGOs and educational institutions in Prague. It opened doors for cooperation with local schools, community leaders, and international networks focused on human rights education. For Youth Prague, the experience proved that inclusion is not achieved through one event or campaign—it requires consistent effort, education, and collaboration.
The biggest impact, however, was the change in mindset. Young participants who had once hesitated to speak about equality began leading small projects of their own. They organized school discussions, art exhibitions, and awareness events celebrating diversity. Each of these actions, no matter how small, contributed to a wider culture of acceptance in the community.
Reflection and Future Vision
Looking back, the Empowering Youth Workers for LGBT Rights and Inclusion training in Benalmádena was more than just an educational experience—it was a reminder of the power of empathy and human connection. It showed that youth work is not only about organizing activities but about shaping values and building bridges between people. For the participant from Youth Prague, the training reinforced the belief that inclusion must be at the heart of all youth work because every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and respected.
Today, Youth Prague continues to expand its Safe Spaces CZ initiative, planning to bring it to smaller towns and rural communities across the country. The organization’s long-term vision is to create a network of youth workers and educators who can support each other in promoting equality and inclusion.
The story of this Erasmus+ project is a story of hope and cooperation. It reminds everyone that inclusion begins with understanding and that small acts of kindness can grow into movements of change. When young people are given the chance to learn and lead with empathy, they become not only participants in their communities but true builders of a fairer and more inclusive society.