Promoting Equality and Non-Discrimination in Youth Work
From 15 to 17 October, the Promoting Equality and Non-Discrimination in Youth Work (PENDYW) project reached its inspiring conclusion at the European Level Leadership Conference in Brussels. As an active project partner, Center for Intercultural Dialogue (CID) proudly took part in this milestone event, contributing to a stronger, more inclusive youth sector across Europe.
Hosted and coordinated by Youth for Exchange and Understanding (YEU), the conference brought together 60 participants from Belgium, France, North Macedonia, Portugal, and Germany — a diverse group of youth workers, youth leaders, and organisational representatives committed to advancing equality and non-discrimination in their communities.
Three Days of Learning, Collaboration, and Advocacy
The programme unfolded over three dynamic days, filled with:
- 🎤 Interactive sessions exploring inclusive youth work principles
- 🎨 Creative workshops designed to inspire new approaches and tools
- 🧩 Collaborative activities that connected participants across cultures
- 🗣️ Advocacy moments encouraging young people to take action
- 💬 A public discussion panel engaging experts and youth on the future of equality-focused youth work
CID representatives had the opportunity to share experiences from North Macedonia, present local best practices, and actively contribute to discussions on how European organisations can jointly promote non-discrimination and build safer, more welcoming environments for all young people.
The Final European Conference: A Powerful Conclusion
The event culminated in the European-level Final Conference, gathering around 80 participants, including:
- Young people
- Youth workers
- Policymakers
- Civil society organisations
Together, they explored concrete ways to strengthen equality, fight discrimination, and empower youth workers to challenge exclusion at local and European levels.
For CID, this gathering was a valuable opportunity to amplify the voices and realities of young people from North Macedonia, while building new connections and partnerships that will continue beyond the project’s lifetime.
A Journey Marked by Impact and Collaboration
The PENDYW project — co-funded by the European Union — has been a testament to what can be achieved when organisations unite around shared values. As partners, we collectively contributed to developing tools, fostering dialogue, and promoting practices that make youth work more inclusive, equitable, and empowering.
CID is proud to have been part of this journey and remains committed to championing equality and non-discrimination in our local and international work.
🌍✨ Together, we move forward — building a Europe where every young person feels included, respected, and empowered.
