In November 2024, youth workers from across Europe gathered in Benalmádena, Spain, for the Erasmus+ training course Empowering Youth Workers for Gender Equality and Mental Health Awareness. The program brought together passionate individuals dedicated to creating inclusive, balanced, and emotionally healthy environments for young people. Representing Pangaea Youth Network from Denmark, one participant joined the training to strengthen their understanding of how gender equality and mental health are deeply connected in modern youth work.
The Erasmus+ program provided an inspiring platform for cooperation, reflection, and skill-building. The training encouraged participants to look beyond statistics and theories, focusing instead on human experiences, emotions, and relationships. It was designed to give youth workers the tools and confidence to support young people facing mental health challenges and to challenge stereotypes that often limit both men and women in expressing themselves freely.
The Local Context in Denmark
Denmark is often seen as one of the most equal and progressive societies in Europe. However, even in such a context, hidden barriers and challenges remain. Gender equality in Denmark has made remarkable progress in education, politics, and employment, yet traditional gender roles and expectations continue to shape daily life. Young men often face social pressure to appear strong and unemotional, while young women are still expected to meet high standards of success and perfection. Both pressures can have serious effects on mental well-being.
Before the Erasmus+ project, Pangaea Youth Network had already noticed an increase in mental health concerns among young people, particularly related to stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Many youth workers and teachers expressed uncertainty about how to handle these issues in their activities. Mental health, while openly discussed in Denmark, is still surrounded by stigma—especially when connected to gender expectations.
The organization wanted to explore new ways to make youth programs more inclusive, emotionally safe, and empowering. The training in Benalmádena seemed like the right opportunity to gain new insights, exchange ideas with peers from other countries, and find practical tools to address these issues on both personal and community levels.
The Training Experience in Benalmádena
The week-long training course in Benalmádena created a unique space for learning and connection. The sessions combined theory, reflection, and interactive exercises that helped participants experience firsthand what inclusion and awareness truly mean. Each day focused on a different aspect of equality and well-being—starting from understanding stereotypes to exploring strategies for emotional resilience and community engagement.
Through non-formal education methods such as role-playing, storytelling, and group challenges, the participants learned how gender and mental health intersect in real-life situations. One exercise asked everyone to reflect on their own experiences with gender expectations in childhood. The discussions that followed were both emotional and eye-opening. Many participants realized how deeply gender norms influence mental health and behavior from an early age.
Another highlight of the training was the exchange of best practices. Local Spanish organizations shared their community projects focused on supporting young people through inclusive education and emotional well-being initiatives. Visits to youth centers in Benalmádena showed how open communication, art, and sport can be used as tools for healing and empowerment. Seeing how local leaders created safe environments for youth through creativity inspired many participants to rethink their own approaches.
The multicultural setting added even more depth to the experience. Participants from different backgrounds shared personal stories about how gender equality and mental health are perceived in their countries. These conversations revealed that while cultural contexts differ, the challenges are universal. By the end of the training, the group had not only learned new strategies but had also built a network of mutual trust and collaboration that crossed borders.
Post-Project Action in Denmark
After returning home, the participant from Pangaea Youth Network felt a strong motivation to turn the learning experience into action. With support from the NGO, they launched a new initiative called “Mind the Balance”. The project aimed to raise awareness about mental health and gender equality among Danish youth through workshops, storytelling events, and creative dialogue sessions.
The workshops focused on helping young people understand how gender stereotypes affect emotions, relationships, and self-image. For example, participants explored how phrases like “boys don’t cry” or “girls must always be kind” can limit emotional expression and increase stress. These activities were inspired by exercises experienced during the Erasmus+ training in Benalmádena.
One part of the project was dedicated to training youth workers and teachers to identify early signs of emotional distress in students. Using tools and approaches learned in Spain, they practiced active listening, empathy, and stress-reducing methods suitable for youth work settings.
The “Mind the Balance” initiative also collaborated with local schools and municipalities to organize open discussions about gender roles and mental health. The events encouraged young people to share their stories through art, photography, and spoken word performances. This creative element helped break down barriers and allowed emotions to be expressed in a healthy and supportive way.
Impact on Youth and the Local Community
The project quickly began to make a difference in the local community. Many participants shared that it was the first time they had openly talked about their emotions in a group setting. The activities helped normalize conversations around mental health and made young people realize that vulnerability is not a weakness but a strength.
Teachers and youth workers involved in the initiative also noticed a shift in the atmosphere during youth activities. When discussions about equality and mental health were introduced, communication became more open and supportive. Youth workers learned that creating a safe emotional environment is just as important as teaching technical or academic skills.
The project also sparked collaboration among local NGOs working on related topics. Together, they began developing a regional network focused on mental health promotion in youth education. This network continues to grow, ensuring that the lessons learned from the Erasmus+ experience will have a lasting impact on Danish communities.
Perhaps the most meaningful outcome was the change in mindset. The participant from Pangaea Youth Network observed that many young people began to challenge old stereotypes and support each other more actively. Girls spoke about feeling less pressured to be perfect, while boys found courage to talk about their emotions without fear of judgment. These small but significant changes are shaping a new generation that values equality not only as a right but as a daily practice of empathy and understanding.
Reflection and Future Vision
Reflecting on the experience, it is clear that the Empowering Youth Workers for Gender Equality and Mental Health Awareness project was much more than a training—it was a journey of personal and professional growth. It reminded participants that equality and well-being are inseparable, and that true empowerment begins with emotional awareness.
The project showed that youth work has the power to heal, educate, and unite communities. When young people are supported in expressing themselves freely and equally, they become stronger and more compassionate citizens. For Pangaea Youth Network, the training in Benalmádena marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to integrating mental health and gender equality into all its initiatives.
The vision for the future is one of balance—between mind and heart, between opportunity and empathy. The project inspired a belief that change is possible when people come together with open minds and kind intentions. From Spain to Denmark, the lessons of this Erasmus+ journey continue to spread, reminding everyone that equality and well-being grow strongest in communities that care.