In November 2024, youth workers from different parts of Europe gathered in Benalmádena, Spain, to participate in the Erasmus+ training course Empowering Youth Workers for LGBT Rights and Inclusion. The project aimed to equip participants with knowledge, skills, and empathy to promote equality and respect for human rights in their daily work with young people. It focused on supporting LGBT youth through inclusive approaches and community engagement. Among the participants was a youth worker representing Terra Dulcis, an Italian NGO devoted to social education and community development. For this participant, the training became a valuable opportunity to connect learning, reflection, and real-life experience in the field of youth work.
The program took place under the Erasmus+ framework, known for encouraging cooperation and innovation among European youth organizations. It provided a space where participants could learn from each other, share their challenges, and find ways to make their local communities more inclusive. The overall goal was to strengthen the capacity of youth workers to stand for human rights and to ensure that young people of all backgrounds, identities, and orientations feel supported and respected.
The Local Context in Italy
In Italy, conversations around inclusion and diversity have become more open in recent years, yet the social climate remains complex. Large cities such as Rome, Milan, and Bologna have shown growing acceptance of LGBT rights, but smaller towns and rural regions often still experience prejudice and lack of understanding. Young people who identify as LGBT frequently face social exclusion, bullying, or misunderstanding both in schools and in their communities.
Before the Erasmus+ training, the team at Terra Dulcis had already observed a need for more education and awareness on these issues. Many youth workers and educators lacked specific training to deal with sensitive topics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, or discrimination. As a result, they often avoided these subjects, leaving young people without proper guidance or safe spaces for dialogue.
The organization had been working mainly on social inclusion and intercultural dialogue, but the topic of LGBT rights had not yet been fully integrated into its activities. The participant saw this Erasmus+ opportunity as a chance to learn from European examples and bring back strategies that could help Italian youth workers include these themes in their programs in a more confident and informed way.
The Training Experience in Benalmádena
The week-long training in Benalmádena offered a mix of structured learning, teamwork, and personal reflection. From the very first day, the atmosphere was open and welcoming. Participants came from various cultural and professional backgrounds, but they were united by the same goal: to make youth work a tool for inclusion and equality.
Each session combined practical exercises with meaningful discussions. The trainers used non-formal education methods—games, simulations, and storytelling—to help participants step into the experiences of LGBT youth. One particularly powerful workshop invited everyone to reflect on exclusion and privilege by recreating real-life scenarios of discrimination and empathy. These moments made participants realize that inclusion is not only about awareness but also about action.
The training also highlighted best practices from local Spanish organizations that support LGBT communities. Participants visited community centers and met with activists who shared how education and visibility can create change. Seeing how these organizations worked hand in hand with local schools and municipalities was deeply inspiring. It demonstrated that collaboration between civil society and institutions can help build safer, more inclusive spaces for young people.
During intercultural evenings, participants shared their own realities and projects from their home countries. The conversations were honest and often emotional. They revealed that although each country has its own challenges, the desire to create a fair and inclusive world is universal. The experience in Benalmádena became not just an educational program but a community of learning, empathy, and solidarity.
Post-Project Action in Italy
Returning to Italy, the participant from Terra Dulcis felt determined to apply what was learned in Spain. With the support of the organization, they launched a new initiative called “Spazio Aperto” (“Open Space”). The project aimed to create a safe and inclusive environment for young people to talk about identity, diversity, and acceptance.
The initiative started with workshops for youth workers, teachers, and volunteers. These sessions focused on raising awareness about LGBT inclusion and providing practical tools to integrate the topic into everyday educational work. Using methods learned in Benalmádena—such as role-playing, group reflection, and storytelling—the workshops encouraged participants to think critically about their own biases and how to overcome them.
Another important step was creating youth-led activities that promoted acceptance through art and communication. Young people were invited to design posters, organize photo exhibitions, and host community dialogues around the theme of equality. The focus was not only on LGBT inclusion but also on building a culture of empathy and respect for everyone.
To reach a broader audience, Terra Dulcis collaborated with local schools and community centers to organize an awareness week dedicated to diversity and inclusion. The event included film screenings, debates, and creative workshops that allowed participants to share their stories and perspectives. It was a direct result of the ideas and methods experienced during the Erasmus+ training.
Impact on Youth and the Community
The “Spazio Aperto” project quickly gained positive attention in the community. Many educators expressed that the workshops helped them feel more confident discussing sensitive topics in class. They learned how to respond to discrimination in constructive ways and how to make all students feel accepted.
For young people, the project offered a safe place to express their identities and to meet others who shared similar experiences. Some participants shared that it was the first time they felt truly heard and respected. The activities also helped to reduce prejudice among peers, showing that open conversation can replace fear with understanding.
The project’s success encouraged Terra Dulcis to continue expanding its inclusion-focused work. It began collaborating with other NGOs across Italy and Europe to create a network of youth workers trained in diversity education. This cooperation helped strengthen the long-term sustainability of the organization’s mission to empower young people through inclusive values.
Reflection and Future Vision
Looking back, the Empowering Youth Workers for LGBT Rights and Inclusion training in Benalmádena was not only an educational experience but also a personal journey. For the participant from Terra Dulcis, it was a reminder that change starts with empathy and courage. It showed how international collaboration can lead to real local transformation.
The training inspired a broader vision for youth work in Italy: one where inclusion, respect, and dialogue are part of every program and activity. It proved that when youth workers are given the right tools and support, they can become strong advocates for human rights and equality.
Today, Terra Dulcis continues to develop new initiatives that combine inclusion with creativity, culture, and community engagement. The organization’s long-term goal is to make equality an everyday practice, not just a principle. The story that began in Benalmádena continues in Italy, where each young person who feels accepted becomes part of a larger movement for kindness, diversity, and hope.