In June 2023, youth workers from many countries joined together in Cefalù, Sicily, for the Erasmus+ project “Path Toward Reconciliation.” The training was created to help youth workers support young people in difficult conversations about conflict, identity, and healing. The program focused on learning through experience, using workshops, storytelling, intercultural activities, and reflection. Participants explored important topics such as truth-telling, forgiveness, and restorative justice. The goal was to give youth workers the skills to lead reconciliation processes in their communities. For the youth worker from Asociatia Greenhope in Romania, this training came at an important moment. It offered the chance to look at old challenges in a new way and bring something meaningful back to their country.
In Romania, especially in May 2023, there were visible social problems affecting young people. One of the biggest challenges was the lack of trust between different ethnic groups. In some areas, tensions between Romanian and Roma youth created divisions in schools and neighborhoods. In others, political messages and misinformation increased fear between people of different backgrounds. Many young people grew up with stereotypes they never questioned. At the same time, many youth were also dealing with emotional wounds. Some experienced bullying, others lived in broken families or had left school early. For many, expressing emotions or speaking openly about personal problems was still seen as a weakness. Teachers and parents often avoided difficult topics, and schools did not have the space or resources for emotional support or dialogue activities. This silence made young people feel alone, disconnected, and sometimes angry. Youth workers felt the need for tools that could open these difficult conversations and offer healing.
The experience in Cefalù gave the Romanian participant a new understanding. During the training, they joined group activities where people from different countries shared personal stories. These stories were honest and sometimes painful, but they created a deep feeling of trust. Everyone listened with respect and care. The session on restorative justice helped show how communities can rebuild after hurt, not through punishment, but through shared responsibility and truth. Another powerful activity used art and roleplay to express emotions without words. This was especially helpful for youth who struggle to explain how they feel. The participant also learned about how other youth workers in Europe were creating small programs in schools, communities, and refugee centers to support peacebuilding. One group used music and poetry, another used theater. All these methods were simple but strong. They showed that change does not need to be big or expensive—it needs to be honest, safe, and consistent.
When the Romanian participant returned home, they worked with Asociatia Greenhope to develop a project called “Together at the Circle.” This project was designed as a safe space where young people from different backgrounds could come together, share their stories, and build understanding. The idea came directly from the storytelling circle model used in Cefalù. The sessions included group talks, drawing exercises, trust-building games, and moments of silence to reflect. The focus was not on teaching information, but on listening and sharing. The first pilot sessions were done in a high school in a mixed ethnic area. The youth worker explained the rules of respect and confidentiality, and the young people agreed to speak honestly and support each other.
The result was surprising and powerful. Teenagers who had never spoken to each other began to talk, laugh, and even support one another. Some shared personal experiences of bullying, poverty, or feeling judged because of their ethnicity. Others listened and said they had never thought about these things before. The project created a new kind of space in the school—one that did not exist before. Teachers said that the students seemed calmer and more connected after the sessions. The school psychologist joined the project and said it helped identify students who needed more support. Local authorities invited the team to present their work at a youth forum, and more schools requested to join the program. Over time, the project expanded into four schools and two youth centers.
The impact of “Together at the Circle” continued to grow. Young people began organizing their own mini-circles during breaks or after class. Some students created a wall of messages where everyone could post kind words or questions. The project was shared on social media and received attention from national youth networks. It also helped strengthen the work of Asociatia Greenhope in the area of peacebuilding and inclusion. The team started working on a handbook with activities, methods, and experiences so that other youth workers across Romania could start similar initiatives. What started as one week of training in Sicily became a long-term movement at home.
The training in Cefalù showed the Romanian participant that youth work is not only about organizing events or giving advice. It is about holding space for healing, helping people see each other, and guiding them gently through change. Reconciliation is not only about fixing big conflicts—it is about learning how to live together with differences. It is about choosing understanding over judgment and connection over fear. The tools learned in Sicily were not only professional—they were also personal. They reminded the participant that youth workers must also continue their own healing and growth to support others.
Looking forward, Asociatia Greenhope has bigger plans. They want to train youth leaders who can run circles in rural communities. They are also planning a summer camp where young people from different parts of Romania can meet, live together for a few days, and build friendships through dialogue. The dream is to build a culture of reconciliation that grows from the ground up—from classrooms, homes, and youth centers. They believe that young people are not only the future. They are the present. With support, trust, and the right tools, they can become peacebuilders, bridge-makers, and changemakers.
The journey to reconciliation is not easy. It takes time, patience, and courage. But thanks to Erasmus+ and the project in Sicily, one more step has been taken. In Romania, circles are growing, voices are being heard, and a new chapter of peace is beginning—led by youth, shaped by dialogue, and carried forward with hope.