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

Our Journey in the “Act for Inclusion” Project

 

LoveUnity had the great opportunity to participate in the Erasmus+ KA153 Youth Workers Mobility project Act for Inclusion, held from 21 to 28 November 2025 in Wuppertal, Germany. Throughout one inspiring week, we worked with youth workers from several European countries, focusing on inclusion, volunteering, community engagement, and intergenerational solidarity.

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Arriving in Wuppertal: Building Connections from Day One

From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed by the organizing team and the international participants. The first day was dedicated to energizers, icebreakers, and getting to know each other's professional backgrounds. As LoveUnity, we immediately took on an active and enthusiastic role, ready to contribute, learn, and collaborate.

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Workshops on Inclusion: Learning New Approaches

The project centered on strengthening youth workers’ skills in social inclusion.
During the workshops, we explored topics such as:

• Inclusive youth work practices

• Working with disadvantaged young people

• The role of volunteering in social cohesion

• Intergenerational learning and cooperation

• Creative tools for combating discrimination

Each session helped us reflect on our own local practices while discovering new strategies used in different European countries. LoveUnity contributed by sharing insights from our work with multicultural groups in Austria and Turkey.

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Field Visits and Best Practices

One of the most valuable parts of the project was visiting local institutions in Wuppertal. We met organizations focusing on community development, migrant support, and youth participation. Seeing inclusion in action gave us concrete ideas that we hope to adapt and implement in our own work.

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Intercultural Night: A Celebration of Diversity

The intercultural night was a highlight of the week. Participants presented music, food, traditions, and stories from their cultures. LoveUnity proudly represented , contributing to a vibrant and meaningful evening. This experience strengthened our connections with the other teams and opened the door for future collaborations.

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LoveUnity’s Contribution and Achievements

Throughout the project, we actively participated by:

• Leading and supporting group discussions

• Designing creative inclusion-themed activities

• Presenting our experiences with youth engagement

• Building strong partnerships with other organizations

By the end of the week, we had developed new skills, expanded our professional network, and gained fresh motivation for future youth work initiatives.

Our Participation in the Youth Exchange Project in Wuppertal, Germany

 

From May 11-18, 2024, we had the incredible opportunity to participate in a transformative youth exchange project in Wuppertal, Germany. This project brought together 30 young participants from various nationalities, all united by the goal of addressing migration as a global social issue and exploring how sports can promote peace, tolerance, and diversity. Through the project, we engaged in a series of dynamic activities aimed at fostering intercultural cooperation, developing mutual understanding, and motivating active participation in social life.

Objectives of the Youth Exchange The overarching aim of this exchange was to raise awareness about the challenges faced by migrants as they adjust to new societies. We explored how sports can be used as a powerful tool to build bridges across cultures, encouraging tolerance and fostering peaceful coexistence. During the project's planning phase, the applicant organization conducted an online analysis, which helped shape the exchange activities and ensure alignment with the capabilities of all partner organizations. Migration, seen as a challenge but also an opportunity for promoting global peace, was central to the project's theme.

Activities During the Exchange Our week in Wuppertal was packed with interactive and enriching activities. These included team-building exercises, integration games, intercultural debates, and workshops focused on civil society and the role of NGOs. We also had the opportunity to visit the Office for Education and Development of Migrants, where we learned first-hand about the important work being done to support migrant communities. Each day concluded with reflection sessions, ensuring that we could evaluate our progress and deepen our understanding of the topics discussed.

One of the highlights of the week was the forum café, where participants shared personal experiences related to migration and integration, sparking powerful discussions. The city tour of Wuppertal also allowed us to experience the local culture and history, further enriching our intercultural exchange.

Impact and Public Engagement This project had a lasting impact not only on the participants but also on the wider community. Following the youth exchange, each partner organization, including ours, is committed to organizing public debates in their local communities. These debates will bring together participants from schools, local institutions, and youth centers to share insights from the project and engage in discussions about migration, peace, and diversity.

Moreover, the public presentations planned by each partner will serve as platforms to introduce others to the work we did during the exchange. These events aim to encourage more people, especially those working with migrant communities, to get involved in NGOs and government organizations that support individuals facing social challenges.

Looking Ahead The youth exchange in Wuppertal has equipped us with new skills and perspectives on how to approach migration as a social issue. As we move forward, we look forward to continuing this important work in our local communities, using the knowledge and experiences gained to promote peace, tolerance, and active participation in social life.

This project has not only strengthened the bonds between participants from different countries but has also empowered us to become ambassadors of change in our own communities. The lessons learned in Wuppertal will continue to resonate as we work towards a more inclusive and tolerant world.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this incredible journey and look forward to the next steps in making a lasting impact!

#YouthExchange #MigrationForPeace #CulturalDiversity #Wuppertal2024 #GlobalYouthAction