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.