The Rights Matter Brochure is Officially Out!

 Following our unforgettable "Rights Matter" Erasmus+ youth exchange in Linz, Austria, which was so much more than just a trip, we are back with some fantastic news! Between May 21 and May 29, 2026, 24 young people from Austria, Türkiye, and Germany—half of whom come from fewer-opportunity backgrounds—embarked on a deep journey exploring human rights, active citizenship, and civic responsibility. To turn everything we learned in the streets of Linz, our interactive workshops, and our study visits to the Ombud for Equal Treatment and the JKU Law Faculty into a lasting legacy, we have officially published our project brochure!

Throughout the intensive nine-day program, our participants worked hard to produce creative outputs, including posters, short films, collages, theatre performances, and a digital campaign. We have brought all of these wonderful creations together within the pages of this publication. Inspired by the fundamental principle that "every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights," this document reflects not only the knowledge we acquired but also our fears, expectations, and contributions, which we tracked using our life-size figure named "Erasmusio". The brochure also highlights the skills we gained while working across three languages and features the new follow-up project ideas drafted by our participants for the future.

We share this brochure with the hope that our outputs will not just stay with us, but will reach other young people, youth workers, and communities, inviting them to do exactly what our participants did: move from words to actions. If you want to see that human rights are not merely words on paper and discover how powerful they become when amplified by the voices of youth, you can explore our complete work via the link below.

Click here to read and download the brochure: [https://www.salto-youth.net/tools/toolbox/tool/rights-matter-brochure.5848/]

RIGHTS MATTER Youth Exchange

Between May 21 and May 29, 2026, twenty-four young people aged 16 to 30 from Austria, Türkiye, and Germany gathered at the Sommerhaus Hotel in Linz for the Rights Matter Erasmus+ youth exchange. Co-funded by the European Union, this nine-day mobility project focused on human rights, active citizenship, and civic responsibility, proving to be much more than just a typical trip. Coordinated by Love Unity in Austria, alongside partners Journey to Essence Youth in Türkiye and My Voice in Wuppertal und Umgebung e.V. in Germany, the initiative aimed to empower youth to understand and advocate for their rights. To ensure a truly inclusive environment, half of the young participants came from fewer-opportunity backgrounds, reinforcing the realization that diversity and different people coming together are what truly strengthen a community.

The journey through the streets of Austria provided a deep dive into the essence of human rights and how these powerful concepts translate into daily life. By exploring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the participating organizations' basic laws, the group internalized the fundamental principle that human dignity is inviolable. Rather than remaining just a legal sentence, this concept became a shield for equality, the right to education, and freedom of belief. To see how these rights operate in the real world, the exchange included two significant study visits:

• The Ombud for Equal Treatment: Participants learned about Austria's independent, free, and confidential equality body that protects individuals from discrimination at work or in public services.

• The JKU Law Faculty: Johannes Kepler University hosted an interactive workshop detailing how international human rights become national law, followed by a campus tour highlighting future European study paths.

These real-world experiences highlighted that while dedicated institutions work to protect these rights, active work remains necessary to fully eliminate discrimination. Throughout the workshops, participants shared the firm conviction that every voice matters and that human rights cannot wait. They translated their learning into five creative formats: a poster, a short film, a collage, a theatre piece, and a digital campaign under the hashtag #RightsMatter. The group also engaged in personal reflection using a life-size figure named "Erasmusio" to track their fears, expectations, and contributions from the beginning to the end of the exchange.

By the end of the project, all twenty-eight individuals involved—including twenty-four participants, three leaders, and one facilitator—received Youthpass certificates reflecting their newly acquired competencies in areas like multilingualism, digital skills, and citizenship. Although the days in Linz concluded, the participants left with lasting friendships and a cemented belief in values like the right to privacy and freedom of movement. The project ultimately taught them that true education extends beyond classroom walls, respect is a stance to carry forward, and building a more just world begins with a single voice.

Taste the EU: Young Europeans Explore Sustainable Nutrition in Linz

 

LINZ, AUSTRIA – The first days of "Taste the EU" Youth Exchange kicked off with energy, creativity, and lots of food-related discoveries. 36 participants from three countries gathered in Linz to explore the connection between food, health, and culture.

Day 1: From Plate to Planet... and Skin!

The programme began with an interactive workshop on sustainable nutrition. Participants explored what it really means to eat in a way that's good for both our bodies and the planet. Through group discussions and theatre sketches, they identified good and bad eating habits – with plenty of laughs along the way.

The afternoon took an unexpected turn: from the table to the skin! Young people discovered that many kitchen ingredients – honey, oats, yogurt, avocado – are not just for eating. Working in groups, they created natural face masks and enjoyed a relaxing spa moment together. A perfect way to learn that nature provides everything we need.

Day 2: Lights, Camera, Action!

Day 2 transformed participants into filmmakers. The "Cine Food" workshop challenged groups to create short videos on the theme of Food + Health + Culture. Ideas ranged from fake advertisements for grandma's soup to silent cooking films with funny music.

Armed with smartphones and creativity, teams spread across the venue to film their scenes. The day ended with a mini film festival where all videos were screened – applause, laughter, and meaningful messages included.

What's Next?

The exchange continues with cooking workshops, cultural evenings, and a visit to explore local sustainable food practices. Stay tuned for more updates from Linz!

---

Taste the EU is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme. Partners: Love Unity (Austria), BETTER FUTURE FOR YOUTH (Spain), Pandemic Generation (Türkiye).

Our "Act for Inclusion" Journey in Wuppertal

 At LoveUnity, our mission has always been about exactly what’s in our name: bringing people together through love and solidarity. Recently, our team headed to Wuppertal, Germany, for an experience that truly put those values into practice. We joined 30 youth workers from across Europe for the "Act for Inclusion" Erasmus+ training course (Nov 22-27, 2025).

If you’ve been following our work in Linz, you know we care deeply about refugee families and social cohesion. This project gave us the perfect space to expand that vision.

More Than Just a Training Course

Wuppertal in November was cold, but the energy inside our workshop rooms was anything but! We weren't just there to listen to lectures. We were there to act.

Along with our partners from Germany, Turkey, Italy, and Malta, we dove deep into the world of Intergenerational Volunteering. The big question was: How do we connect the energy of youth with the wisdom of the elderly to create a truly inclusive society?

The LoveUnity Contribution

As the LoveUnity team, we brought our experience working with diverse communities in Austria to the table. We shared our stories, but more importantly, we helped co-create the tools that other youth workers can now use.

During the "World Cafe" sessions and the "Empathy Labyrinth" simulations, we focused on:

• Breaking Barriers: Making sure mülteci (refugee) voices and isolated seniors are heard.

• Heart-Centered Work: Reminding everyone that "Inclusion" isn't a checklist—it’s a feeling of belonging.

The Big Reveal: The "Act for Inclusion" Booklet

One of the things we are most proud of is the Project Booklet we helped develop. It’s not just a report; it’s a toolkit for change.

Inside, you’ll find:

• Step-by-step workshops like the "Digital Memory Chest."

• Real-life stories from our fellow participants.

• Practical tips on using non-formal education to bridge the gap between generations.

"Inclusion is not just about opening the door; it’s about making sure there’s a seat at the table for everyone."

What’s Next?

We are coming back to Austria with our hearts full and our "Youthpass" competencies leveled up! But the work doesn't stop here. We are already looking at how to implement the "Digital Memory Chest" idea right here in our local community.

Want to see what we worked on? You can check out the full booklet [link your PDF or drive here] and see the "Act for Inclusion" manifesto we co-signed.

A huge thank you to My Voice e.V. for hosting us and to the Erasmus+ programme for making this synergy possible.

Let’s keep acting for inclusion!

With Love & Unity, The LoveUnity Team 🧡

Plesea check link for the booklet.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_BnhmeHpWaC3n3urWWpGvlc0X60sHydo/view?usp=drive_link

Youth Participation in Digital Commons: A Joint Needs Analysis from Three Countries

Scope and Methodology of the Study

This survey was prepared to determine young people's digital platform usage habits, the risks they encounter in digital environments, and their needs for safe participation. The same survey form was administered in three countries. Data collection was carried out between January 5–16, 2026.

The research was conducted through local fieldwork in Turkey and Italy; and through a local validation approach supported by national data in Austria. The surveys were administered anonymously, and no personal data was collected.

Sample Distribution

A total of 134 young people participated in the survey.

Turkey: 54 participants

(Şehit Yasin Kendircioğlu Middle School and Knowledge and Skills Group)

Italy: 52 participants

(Cultura&Armonia)

Austria: 28 participants

(LoveUnity – mini validation)

The ages of the participants ranged from 14–22. The overall average age was approximately 17.

Digital Platform Usage

The vast majority of participants actively use more than one digital platform.

WhatsApp: Used regularly by approximately 85% of participants

Instagram: Approximately 75%

TikTok: Approximately 70%

Snapchat: Approximately 65%

YouTube: Approximately 80%

Significantly, approximately 40% of participants stated that they actively use Microsoft Teams. Teams usage is particularly prominent in school-based communication and in-class group interactions. In the Austrian and Turkish samples, Teams was also used for social communication purposes.

Frequency of Use

A significant portion of participants use digital platforms daily:

Daily usage rates for WhatsApp, Instagram, and TikTok are over 60%.

Approximately 30% of Microsoft Teams users stated that they use the platform every day, while 40% use it several times a week.

This finding indicates that school-based digital tools have become part of young people's daily digital routines.

Risks Encountered in Digital Environments

A significant portion of participants reported experiencing at least one risk in digital environments within the last three months:

Cyberbullying/exclusion: approximately 32%

Encountering false or misleading information: approximately 48%

Inappropriate content: approximately 29%

Account security issues: approximately 18%

WhatsApp groups and Instagram were the platforms where cyberbullying incidents were most frequently reported. While risks reported on Microsoft Teams were more limited, exclusionary behavior, particularly in class groups, was highlighted.

Perception of Digital Security

Participants were asked to rate how safe they felt in digital environments on a scale of 1–5.

Average perception of security: 3.1 / 5

Approximately 45% of participants stated that they felt safer on school-based platforms (e.g., Teams, Classroom), while 35% found messaging applications (WhatsApp) to be safer. Social media platforms have emerged as areas with the lowest perceived trust.

Artificial Intelligence and Digital Tools

Approximately 72% of participants stated that they have used AI-based chat tools such as ChatGPT at least once. Usage is particularly common among the 15-17 age group. AI tools are most frequently used for homework preparation, information searching, and content creation.

Prioritized Needs

The top three topics in response to the question, "What support is needed in this project?", were:

Digital security and privacy (account protection, data security)

Dealing with misinformation and media literacy

Dealing with cyberbullying and respectful digital communication

In addition, a significant portion of participants indicated openness to international collaboration on creative digital content production (video, podcast, digital campaign).

Overall Assessment

The survey results reveal that young people are extremely active in digital environments; however, the need for support regarding safe participation, critical media use, and digital ethics continues. The transformation of school-based digital tools into a space for social communication is creating new opportunities and new responsibilities for youth work.

ACT for Inclusion - Wuppertal November 2025 (dissemination video)

 

Plesae watch our dissemination video from lastNovember !!! <3 enjoy ittt!!!

CALL FOR PARTNERS

 We are looking for partners for a youth project based in Linz: Digital Common Spaces and Safe Participation

1) Who are we?

We are a youth group operating in Linz and have so far organized 2 youth exchanges and participated as a partner in 1 project. Now our goal is to reach more young people and establish a new collaboration extending from Linz to other EU and program countries. In this process, we want to make EU values ​​(participation, diversity, inclusion, culture of democracy) visible through concrete youth work in the field.

2) Why this topic?

The communication and learning space for young people has rapidly become digital; however, safe communication, media literacy, dealing with cyberbullying, and collaborative production skills are not developing at the same rate in these digital spaces. We wanted to address this need not just based on observation, but with evidence. That's why we based our work on data from Jugend-Internet-Monitor, published by Saferinternet.at in Austria: The study conducts a representative survey of 405 young people aged 11–17 and reveals changes in platform usage trends. These data show that school/semi-formal digital spaces (e.g., Microsoft Teams) should be considered as much as "social media" in youth work.

3) Project Idea

The focus of our project is: To enable young people to come together safely and inclusively in digital shared spaces they already use, and to carry out collaborative production (content, mini-campaign, digital product/guide, short video/podcast, etc.) at an international level. The project will be clarified through a needs analysis conducted with partners; that is, we will proceed with a needs analysis → collaborative design → collaborative implementation approach, not a "partner first, then writing" approach.

4) The Partner Profile We're Looking For (Who are we looking for?)

We want to match with organizations/teams that are strong in at least 1-2 of the following areas:

Youth work experience and motivation for international collaboration

Fieldwork in digital citizenship / media literacy / safe internet

Intersection of school-youth work (working with student communities, teacher/mentor networks, etc.)

Methods that make young people co-producers rather than just "participants" (co-creation, peer learning)

Inclusivity: practice working with underprivileged youth (accessibility, language support, safe space approach)

5) Potential Roles and Contributions (Draft)

While to be clarified with partners, the following roles are needed:

Needs analysis & co-design: Joint survey/focus group questions, short reporting, clarifying goals

Workshop/module contribution: safe digital communication, disinformation, dealing with cyberbullying, digital Ethics, Content Production

Youth Leadership: Organizing young people as a content team/creative team (podcast, vlog, campaign)

Dissemination: Local event, school/community presentation, social media sharing plan

Quality & Evaluation: Simple measurement set (pre/post mini survey, digital portfolio evidence)

6) Expected Outputs (Example)

Needs analysis short report prepared with partners (survey + focus group summaries)

Digital content produced by young people (short video/podcast, visual series, mini campaign)

Practical guide/mini toolkit for a “safe digital common space”

Local dissemination: School/center presentation + social media visibility

7) What do we offer?

Linz-based coordination and co-writing process

Joint needs analysis methodology (survey + focus group + short report format)

Youth participation-focused design (youth-led content and decision-making steps)

Communication plan to make the produced outputs visible even after the project

8) Timing and process (practical plan)

Phase 1 (2–3 weeks): Meeting with partners + short orientation meeting + role matching

Phase 2 (3–4 weeks): Joint needs analysis (mini-survey + focus group) + project framework

Phase 3: Application writing and task allocation (work packages / activity flow / dissemination)

Note: This call is designed to structure partner selection and needs analysis on an “evidence-based” basis. Our working logic: first data + collective intelligence, then the project text.

9) Brief Information Set Required for Application (We will request this from you)

Institution/Team Introduction (3-5 sentences)

Youth work experience (1-2 sample projects/activities)

Which role you wish to undertake (from the role/contribution list above)

Your target youth profile (age range + method of access)

(If applicable) OID / PIC / official registration information

10) Contact

If interested, please share your brief profile and the role you wish to take; then we can schedule the first online meeting.


Contact with us: loveunity.group@proton.me