In June 2023, the Erasmus+ training course “Wellness Beyond Stereotypes” brought together youth workers from across Europe in Cefalù, Sicily. This international project focused on how stereotypes affect the mental and emotional well-being of young people. The training aimed to help youth workers learn new methods and tools to support young people who feel excluded, judged, or misunderstood. Through shared workshops, creative sessions, and open dialogue, participants explored how identity, culture, gender, body image, and background shape a young person’s sense of wellness. The project also created a strong community of support among youth workers, who came from many different countries but faced similar challenges in their daily work. For the participant from Alternativi International in Bulgaria, the experience became a personal and professional turning point.
In Bulgaria, especially in May 2023, many young people were struggling with feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, and stress. One of the main problems was the pressure to follow social norms and expectations. Youth often felt they had to fit into certain roles based on their gender, background, or appearance. Those who did not match the “normal” image were often bullied, judged, or ignored. In small towns and villages, this situation was even harder. Roma youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and those from poorer families experienced more discrimination. Mental health was still a taboo topic, and few schools had the resources to support emotional wellness. Teachers were focused on academic results, and many parents did not know how to talk to their children about emotional health. As a result, many young people felt alone and unsure about their place in society.
The training in Cefalù helped the youth worker from Alternativi International look at these problems in a new way. One of the most eye-opening moments was a workshop about unconscious bias. The group explored how stereotypes can live inside everyone, even those who want to help. Through practical activities, the participants learned how to recognize their own thinking patterns and how to create more inclusive spaces. Another powerful session was focused on self-expression. Participants used drawing, movement, and storytelling to express emotions and talk about their identities. These methods showed how art and creativity can support emotional healing and understanding. One afternoon, a local youth worker from Sicily shared a project where music was used to help young refugees find confidence and community. This story was very inspiring and showed that change is possible when people listen and care.
After returning to Bulgaria, the participant worked with the Alternativi International team to develop a local project called “Voices Without Labels.” The idea was to create safe spaces where young people could explore their identity, share their feelings, and feel supported without being judged. The project included a series of workshops in schools and youth centers in the Blagoevgrad region. Each session had a theme, such as “Who am I?”, “Feeling different,” or “Breaking the box.” The format combined storytelling circles, drawing exercises, and group reflections. The team used simple tools learned in Cefalù to make the sessions open and relaxed. One important rule was that nobody had to speak if they didn’t want to. The goal was not to push but to invite, and to let young people find their own voice.
The impact of “Voices Without Labels” was stronger than expected. In the beginning, some students were shy or unsure. But after a few sessions, they started to open up. Some shared stories of being bullied or feeling invisible. Others talked about living between two cultures or trying to hide parts of themselves to be accepted. One Roma girl said it was the first time she felt her voice mattered in a group of non-Roma youth. The project created moments of connection and mutual respect. Youth from different backgrounds began to listen to each other with more empathy. Teachers also noticed changes. Students showed more kindness and curiosity, and there were fewer small conflicts in class. In one school, the sessions inspired the creation of a student-led “respect group” that continues to meet today.
The project also helped the community look at inclusion in a new way. Some parents attended open sessions and said they were surprised by how thoughtful and deep the young people were. Local media covered one of the youth exhibitions, where drawings and quotes from the sessions were shown in the town hall. The municipality invited the Alternativi International team to speak about the project during a youth policy meeting. This opened the door to more cooperation between NGOs and public institutions. The success of “Voices Without Labels” showed that wellness and inclusion are not only personal matters. They are community responsibilities. When young people feel safe and respected, they become more confident and more active in shaping the world around them.
Thanks to the experience in Cefalù, the youth worker understood that real wellness is not about perfection. It is about belonging. It is about knowing that you don’t have to change who you are to be accepted. The training helped them feel stronger as a youth worker. It showed that supporting youth is not about having all the answers. It is about being present, being honest, and creating space for others to grow. It also reminded them that youth work is not only a job. It is a mission to build a better, kinder world—starting from the young.
Looking to the future, Alternativi International plans to expand the “Voices Without Labels” program to more schools and rural areas in Bulgaria. They want to create a training module for teachers and social workers so that the methods can continue even after the project ends. They are also planning to apply for another Erasmus+ project to connect youth from Bulgaria with peers in other countries who are doing similar work. The team believes that young people in Bulgaria are ready for a new culture of inclusion, and they want to support them in leading that change.
The journey that started in Sicily did not end with the training. It continues every day in classrooms, youth clubs, and even kitchen tables, where young people find the courage to say how they feel and who they are. It continues in drawings, in stories, in friendships that cross old lines. The power of that training is now living in Bulgaria, carried by youth workers who believe that every young person has the right to be well—not someday, but today. When stereotypes are replaced by stories, and silence is replaced by listening, wellness is no longer a dream. It becomes a shared reality.