In June 2023, youth workers from different parts of Europe gathered in Cefalù, Sicily, to take part in the Erasmus+ project “Wellness Beyond Stereotypes.” This international training brought together professionals working with young people to discuss how stereotypes affect youth mental health, identity, and well-being. The goal of the training was to help youth workers develop new tools and ideas to support more inclusive and emotionally safe spaces. The program included interactive workshops, creative exercises, storytelling sessions, and intercultural exchange. Each activity was carefully designed to explore the connection between stereotypes and wellness, and to show how youth work can promote self-confidence, belonging, and emotional expression. The experience was not only educational—it was deeply transformative.
The youth worker from the North Macedonian NGO YOUTH ON BOARD came to the training with strong motivation and a clear purpose. In May 2023, young people in North Macedonia were facing several social challenges. One of the biggest problems was the influence of social stereotypes in schools, families, and communities. Many young people felt they were constantly judged based on their ethnicity, appearance, religion, or family background. Roma youth, for example, often faced discrimination and exclusion. LGBTQ+ youth were afraid to talk openly about their identity. Young women were under pressure to behave according to traditional gender roles. In rural areas, these stereotypes were even stronger, and many young people had no access to support systems. Mental health problems such as anxiety, low self-esteem, and stress were increasing, especially after the pandemic. However, there was little public discussion about emotional well-being, and most schools did not offer any education about identity, diversity, or mental health. Youth workers wanted to help, but they often lacked proper training and tools.
The training in Cefalù gave the participant from North Macedonia a new understanding. The first thing that stood out was the atmosphere of safety and trust created by the facilitators. Every voice was respected. Every story mattered. In one activity, participants shared personal experiences of being labeled or excluded. It was a strong moment that helped everyone see how common and painful stereotypes can be. Another powerful session explored how unconscious bias works in daily life. Participants learned how even small comments or behaviors can hurt others without intention. The training also included creative methods, such as using drawing and body movement to express emotions. These tools helped people connect beyond language and culture. What impressed the youth worker most was how the learning was not only about theory—it was about practice, emotion, and human connection. The idea that stereotypes can be challenged through empathy, education, and expression became clear.
Returning to North Macedonia, the youth worker wanted to bring this experience to local youth. Together with the team at YOUTH ON BOARD, they created a program called “Colors of Me.” The aim of this project was to support young people in exploring their identity, understanding stereotypes, and building emotional wellness. The project started with a series of workshops in local high schools and youth centers in Tetovo and Skopje. Each session focused on a different topic, such as “Who Am I Beyond the Label?” or “Feeling Safe in My Own Skin.” The workshops used storytelling, drawing, and group conversations, all inspired by the Cefalù training. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences, but also to listen to others. The space was always supportive, with clear rules of respect and confidentiality.
The feedback from the young participants was very strong. Many said it was the first time they felt heard without being judged. A Roma student shared how people made assumptions about him without ever asking who he really was. Another girl said she felt free to speak about her mental health struggles for the first time. The workshops helped participants build confidence, trust, and understanding. Some teachers also attended and expressed how helpful it was to see their students in a new light. In one school, the project led to the creation of a “wellness wall,” where students could write messages of encouragement and share tips for self-care. The project also reached parents, who were invited to a final event where young people presented what they learned through art and stories. It opened a new dialogue in families, showing that wellness and respect begin at home.
The “Colors of Me” program also had an impact at the community level. Local youth centers asked for more sessions, and the municipality supported printing a booklet with the project’s methods and exercises. The team at YOUTH ON BOARD began training volunteers who could continue the work in other towns. The success of the project was also shared in an online webinar with other Balkan NGOs. People from different cities joined to learn how to bring similar workshops to their communities. The story of Cefalù and the work in North Macedonia began to inspire others across borders.
Thanks to the training, the youth worker learned that change does not need to be big to be real. Even one conversation can make a difference. When young people feel safe to speak, they start to heal. When they are accepted as they are, they start to grow. The experience also reminded the youth worker that youth work is not only about helping others—it is also about learning to listen, to feel, and to reflect. Stereotypes are not just outside problems. They live in habits, in systems, and sometimes in our own thinking. The first step to breaking them is awareness.
Looking ahead, YOUTH ON BOARD is working to expand “Colors of Me” into a longer program with more partners. The team wants to create youth-led videos, a digital storytelling platform, and a summer camp focused on identity, inclusion, and self-care. They also plan to offer workshops for teachers and youth workers so they can support emotional wellness in their own spaces. The vision is simple but strong: a North Macedonia where all young people feel accepted, empowered, and well—no matter who they are.
Youth have the power to transform stereotypes into understanding, silence into voice, and fear into connection. They are not only the future—they are the present. But for this power to grow, they need safe spaces, good role models, and the message that they matter. The Erasmus+ project in Cefalù was the beginning of something bigger—a new way to work with youth, to build communities, and to dream without limits. In North Macedonia, that dream is becoming reality. One story, one color, one young person at a time.