Inclusion in Action: Iași Empowers Every Voice

After returning home, our team organized a special workshop to share with our community all the valuable insights we gained during the Erasmus+ training in Budapest. Together, we discussed neurodiversity, the importance of creating inclusive spaces, and practical strategies to support young people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. Through hands-on activities and real-life examples, participants discovered simple yet effective ways to make our environment more accessible and welcoming for everyone.

GreenHope hosted a deeply personal event where young neurodiverse voices shared the stage alongside youth workers and educators. It was a space of empathy, learning, and open dialogue, where lived experiences took center stage.

Workshop Goals

• Break down barriers through shared stories.

• Promote non-stigmatizing, flexible approaches.

• Build stronger school–youth worker relationships.

Key Activities

• “My Journey”: lived experience storytelling from youth with SEND.

• Roundtable with school psychologists.

• Brainstorm: “What does accessible mean?”

Youth and youth workers play a crucial role in advocating for the inclusion of neurodiverse individuals and supporting those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within local communities. They raise awareness, promote understanding, and foster inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and supported. As society increasingly recognizes the diversity of human experiences, creating equitable opportunities for all has become more essential than ever.

During the youth exchange, participants acquired tools such as empathy training, active listening skills, and inclusive educational strategies. These competencies are now being implemented through community workshops and school partnerships, aiming to support inclusive education across Iași.

Participant Reflections

“The biggest shift for me was hearing ‘nothing about us without us’—and really feeling it.”

Outputs
A collaborative manifesto was created: “10 Promises for Inclusive Youth Work in Iași.”
Participants also began co-developing classroom support kits for educators and planned to launch monthly family-inclusive discussion groups.

Promoting inclusion for neurodiverse individuals empowers them and fosters environments where they can thrive both academically and socially. This workshop also highlighted the power of non-formal education—through workshops, group activities, and mentorship—to create safe spaces where young people feel confident expressing themselves, learning at their own pace, and contributing to their communities.