Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Call: ERASMUS-YOUTH-2023-CB
Type of action: ERASMUS-LS
ID: 101130743
Acronym: Youth Will be Free
Duration (months): 24

Data di inizio: 01 Aprile 2024 – Data di Fine: 31 Marzo 2026

Summary

The project You(th) will be Free aims to enhance the quality of youthwork in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries so it can become a tool for social rehabilitation for young former inmates or youth at high risk of criminality, offering them the opportunity to pursue a career as socio-educational animators and thus find dignified employment.

Specific objectives

Enhancing the specific skills of 24 socio-educational animators from the 8 partnership associations in psychology, deviant pedagogy, and cultural mediation.

Introducing the profession of socio-educational animator, its objectives, career prospects, and necessary skills and competencies to young former inmates or those at high risk of criminality from the Mediterranean and MENA regions.

Developing a pilot training program for 9 young former inmates to become youth workers and role models, empowering them to train other young people and so on. This pilot program will be replicated, on a smaller scale, in all partnership countries, involving 30 young people from 8 different countries (Italy, Greece, Malta, North Macedonia, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia).

Outputs

A specific manual for youth workers on training young people at high risk of criminality.

A report on the role of the youth worker in MENA countries.

A scalable and replicable training pathway in various contexts.

Activities

A training course for trainers.

A workshop for young former inmates and youth at high risk of criminality.

A training course and job shadowing for former inmates to start them on the path to becoming youth workers.

Youth EmpowermentSocial RehabilitationMENA Region DevelopmentSocio-Educational TrainingYouth Workers Capacity-BuildingCrime Prevention and Inclusion

Consortium

ASSOCIAZIONE SOS EUROPA 🇮🇹 Italy

Via Pietro Romano 33 – Roma, Italy

www.soseuropa.it

 

eGo- Education

(former INTERNATIONAL E-LEARNING INSTITUTE LTD 🇲🇹)  Malta

40, VILLA FAIRHOLME SIR AUGUSTUS BARTOLO STREET

XBX1095 TA XBIEX

ASSOCIATION FOR PROGRESS, EDUCATION AND LOBBYING NEL SKOPJE  🇲🇰 North Macedonia

UL DIMO HADZI DIMOV 54B1000 Skopje

Website: https://www.pel.mk

NEANIKOI ORIZONTES M.K.O. 🇬🇷 Greece

K PALAMA 9 191 00 MEGARA

 
AL-EMAD ALKABEER FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT CO. 🇯🇴 Jordan

TALA CENTER TALA AL ALI 11180 Amman

Website: https://sites.google.com/view/syleader

Arab International University 🇸🇾 Syria

DARAA GHABAGHIB DARAA

Website: http://www.aiu.edu.sy

 

MEDITERRANEAN YOUTH FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPMENT 🇪🇬 Egypt

OFFICE 1 BUILDING 2013 AL EYADA STREET EXTENSION ZAHRAA MADINAT NASR 11528 CAIRO

Website: http://myfmed.org

 
FARHAT HACHED INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEMOCRACY 🇹🇳 Tunisia

20 RUE SOMAA MOUROUJ 5 BEN AROUS 2074 MOUROUJ

Website: https://www.fhird.tn

KICK-OFF MEETING

06.10.2024 (ZOOM)

The kick-off meeting of the project YOUTH WILL BE FREE, funded by the European Commission under the ERASMUS+ program, Capacity Building in the Youth sector, was held on October 6, 2024.

The project was written and coordinated by the Italian association SOS EUROPA, and the partnership is made up of PEL association from North Macedonia, the international e-Learning institute IELI from Malta, the Farhat Hached Institute for Research and Democracy (FHIRD) based in Tunis, the Arab International University (AIU) from Syria, the Support Youth Leaders (SYL) association from Jordan, and the nonprofit and nongovernmental organization Youth Horizons (YoHo) located in Megara, Greece.

The meeting was attended by 2 participants from each association, for a total of 14 participants, who, due to logistical problems, kicked off the project by meeting on the Zoom platform instead of in Cairo.

The meeting began with a brief presentation of the items that would be discussed, specifically:

  • The presentation of the project and the activities, with associated timelines and deliverables, to be implemented for the purpose of project implementation;
  • Visual Identity, the different dissemination channels, and the budgeting and reporting part;
  • The presentation regarding activity T2.2 of good practice research regarding the identification of good practices of youth work as a tool for inclusion for people at other risk of social exclusion.

After a brief introduction in which each partner had the opportunity to introduce themselves, the goals of their association, and their area of operation, the general and specific objectives of the project, the target group to which they relate, and the project roadmap were addressed. The participants, in addition, analyzed the various activities proposed by the project and the results to be produced in order to collaborate for the implementation of the project.

After that, all participants agreed on a dissemination plan that includes, depending on the nature of the dissemination object, both online and offline channels such as social media platforms, newsletters, events, trainings, and the like. In addition, all partners discussed a commitment to share these activities by including the project and European Commission logos and an explicit reference to the Commission as a funding source in the spaces dedicated to dissemination.

At the end of the meeting, a short research corresponding to T2.2 (Collection of Good Practices) was presented, highlighting the definition of youth work and youth worker, the type of profession he or she practiced, the soft skills that contributed the most to the target group actually improving their living conditions and in what terms, and the good practices of youth work as a tool for inclusion for people at other risk of social exclusion (e.g., ex-prisoners, people subject to drug addiction, youth from critical family backgrounds, etc.).

This research will be the starting point for the next meeting in Amman, where the youth workers will undergo training, which will see them engaged in improving their educational approach to the target group and in drafting general guidelines in the socio-educational field (D2.1), which are essential for carrying out WP3 activities.

 

Youth Empowerment

Youth Empowerment is the process of equipping young people with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities to take control of their lives, contribute to their communities, and achieve personal and professional growth. It focuses on fostering confidence, resilience, and active participation in decision-making, enabling youth to become agents of positive social change.

Social Rehabilitation

Social rehabilitation focuses on reintegrating individuals, particularly marginalized or at-risk groups, into society by providing them with the tools, resources, and support necessary to rebuild their lives. It emphasizes mental, emotional, and social well-being, offering pathways for employment, education, and community participation to reduce recidivism and foster social inclusion.

 

MENA Region Development

MENA Region Development refers to initiatives aimed at improving social, economic, and educational conditions in the Middle East and North Africa. These efforts address challenges such as unemployment, inequality, and social instability by promoting innovation, skill development, and community empowerment to foster sustainable progress and regional stability.

 

 

Youth Workers Capacity-Building

Youth Workers Capacity-Building
Youth Workers Capacity-Building focuses on enhancing the skills, knowledge, and competencies of individuals working with young people. It includes specialized training, resources, and tools to help youth workers support vulnerable youth, promote inclusion, and act as mentors and role models in their communities.

 

 

 

 

Socio-Educational Training

Socio-educational training combines education and social support to equip individuals with skills to address social issues and promote inclusion. It involves teaching methods of cultural mediation, deviant behavior management, and psychological tools to empower youth workers and educators, fostering social change and personal development.

 

 

 

Training for Youth Workers in Amman: A Transformative Experience

On February 7th and 8th, 2025, Amman, Jordan, became the center of an inspiring and impactful training course for youth workers. This two-day event brought together 26 youth workers sharing a common goal: enhancing competencies for the inclusion of young ex-detainees and those at risk of criminal involvement.

Day 1: Exchange of Knowledge and Best Practices

The first day began with a productive exchange of best practices. The participating youth workers presented the findings of their research, sparking an engaging discussion led by the three experts and the facilitator. Furthermore, participants worked together to compile a detailed list of essential soft skills, crucial both for youth workers and for the personal development of the target groups.

Day 2: Non-Formal Education Activities

The second day was entirely dedicated to experiential learning, focusing on three key themes: psychology, pedagogy of deviance, and cultural mediation. After a brief introduction by the experts, participants were divided into three working groups, each dedicated to one of these essential topics. Through role-model exercises and real-life scenario simulations, youth workers gained deeper insights into the challenges faced by marginalized youth.

The final session brought everyone together for a group discussion, gathering reflections from the previous days. Participants were again divided into groups to collaboratively draft the Guidelines for the Inclusion of Young Ex-Detainees and At-Risk Youth in Training Activities. These guidelines emphasized the most effective non-formal and informal methodologies while identifying key skills to be developed. The training concluded with the creation of the Ideal Candidate Profile for future inclusion programs and the official drafting of the Call for Expressions of Interest, a crucial step toward the next phase of the project.

Opportunity: Job Shadowing in Rome

Following this training, a great opportunity is on the horizon! In the coming days, the Call for Interest for the Job Shadowing Experience in Rome, Italy will be published. This initiative will offer nine selected youth workers the chance to gain firsthand experience in a professional setting, further enhancing their skills and impact. Stay tuned for more details on how to apply and take part in this incredible experience!

The training course in Amman represented a significant milestone, strengthening the capacities of youth workers and equipping them with the necessary tools to create real change. With the next phases already in motion, the journey toward greater inclusion and empowerment continues!

 

WORKSHOP for Youth Workers in Rome

SOS EUROPA, the association promoting the project “YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE”—co-financed by the European Commission through the Erasmus Plus program—proposed and implemented a dialogue between institutions and international organizations. For the first time, it presented a handbook aimed at improving the lives of former inmates and young people at high risk of criminality, offering them the chance to pursue a career and find dignified employment.

The project, which aims to enhance the quality of socio-educational youth work in MENA (Middle East and North Africa) countries, saw the operational involvement and participation of various associations. Following the event days, several organizations announced that they would adopt the handbook in their local contexts, ensuring that the project has a truly international impact.

Among the associations active in the project were: International E-learning Institute, Malta, Youth Horizons, Greece, Association for Progress, Education and Lobbying, Republic of North Macedonia, Support Youth Leaders, Jordan, Mediterranean Youth Foundation For Development, Egypt, Arab International University, Syria, Farhat Hached Institute For Research and Democracy, Tunisia

Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS EUROPA, stated:

“I hope that the administration and institutions continue to carry forward the idea of peace and cooperation that we have implemented with such enthusiasm these past days. We are happy and honored to have made the Capital a symbolic meeting place for countries so different from one another, which now share a common goal.”

The heart of the initiative took place today, May 20, 2025, in the Protomoteca Hall on the Capitoline Hill, where the project’s concluding International Conference was held. The goal: to present, for the first time, an operational handbook aimed at offering young people at high risk of criminality and former inmates a concrete alternative through training pathways, job opportunities, and dignified social reintegration.

Opening and Institutional Speeches

The conference was introduced by Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa, who emphasized the importance of intercultural dialogue and cooperation among international actors in building educational and preventive models against youth deviance.

Institutional greetings were given by:

  • David Di Cosmo, President of the Council of Rome’s 5th Municipality
  • Representatives of the embassies of the project’s partner countries

Additional contributors included:

  • Hon. Filippo Sensi, Senator of the Italian Republic
  • Hon. Bobo Craxi, former Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs with responsibility for UN relations
  • Panagiotis Papailias, President of Youth Horizons (Greece)
  • Daniele Pallotta, Director General of Ego Education (Malta)
  • Tommaso Usseglio, Project Manager of SOS Europa
  • Eloisa Casadei, President of Leadership Engagement Advocacy – Brussels
  • Alfonso Aliberti, representing EACEA – the European Commission’s Executive Agency for Education and Culture

A Concrete Example of International Cooperation

The YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE project actively engaged various international organizations, who shared best practices, experiences, and educational methods to counter youth marginalization:

 

  • International E-Learning Institute (Malta)
  • Youth Horizons (Greece)
  • Association for Progress, Education and Lobbying – PEL (North Macedonia)
  • Support Youth Leaders (Jordan)
  • Mediterranean Youth Foundation for Development (Egypt)
  • Arab International University (Syria)
  • Farhat Hached Institute for Research and Democracy (Tunisia)

During the four days in Rome, workshops, roundtables, bilateral meetings, and training sessions were held to strengthen synergies among the participating organizations. At the close of the conference, all partners officially pledged to implement the handbook in their respective territories, aiming to build more inclusive, preventive, and internationally cooperative youth policies.

Final Statement by Mattia Di Tommaso

“I hope that the administration and institutions continue to carry forward the idea of peace and cooperation that we have implemented with such enthusiasm these past days. We are happy and honored to have made the Capital a symbolic meeting place for countries so different from one another, which now share a common goal: to offer young people a real chance at a future.”

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International meeting in Hammamet (Tunisia): the pilot phase of the training course for youth workers comes to an end

From October 2 to 6, 2025, the city of Hammamet hosted the International Training Workshop of the Youth Will Be Free project — five intense days of training, exchange, and reflection that turned a meeting into a true life experience.

Young social educators, trainers, and representatives from the eight partner organizations gathered on the Tunisian coast to share educational methodologies, experiences, and stories of rebirth.
At the Farhat Hached Institute for Research and Democracy (FHIRD), the atmosphere was charged with energy and participation: moments of theoretical training, practical sessions of role playing and storytelling, workshops on cultural mediation, and open discussions on strategies for social reintegration.

Each day wove together learning and real-life testimonies, painting the picture of a young, diverse Mediterranean eager for renewal.
One of the most moving moments was the meeting with the young Tunisian participants, many of whom came from challenging backgrounds: their enthusiasm, their desire to build, and the trust they regained within the group became the beating heart of the entire workshop.

Alongside the training sessions, there were also spaces for intercultural dialogue, visits to the Hammamet medina, and evening sharing circles, where language barriers melted away before a single word: freedom.

“In Tunisia, we saw freedom take shape in the faces and stories of young people. It was a laboratory of humanity — a place where education becomes care, and educational work transforms into hope.”

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DISSEMINATION EVENT IN SKOPJE, NORTH MACEDONIA – December 11, 2025

On December 11, 2025, the dissemination event for the results of the You(th) WIll be Free project took place in Skopje. During the meeting, representatives of the partner organizations shared the achievements reached, the impacts generated and expected, the challenges and lessons learned, as well as the strengths and areas for improvement in the inclusion of the target group.

The event was also attended by local stakeholders, activists, and representatives of organizations active in vocational training within penitentiary institutions. Together with them, the first steps were taken to define a cooperation pathway aimed at increasing the impact and effectiveness of future project activities.

In the coming months, dissemination actions will be carried out in all partner countries to present the project’s results. These activities will aim to collect letters of intent from local stakeholders to support the development of lifelong learning programs for young people both during and after their detention period. At the same time, lifelong learning courses will be activated by the project partners for young people considered “at risk” due to their background in highly marginalized social contexts.

All of this will be made possible thanks to the joint efforts of all project partners, who have worked diligently over the past months to ensure the project’s success.

D4.1-DISSEMINATION-MATERIALS.pdf
D4.2-FINAL-EVENT
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Dissemination Event Report – YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE
Rome, 29 November 2025 – SOS Europa Headquarters

On 29 November 2025, SOS Europa hosted the dissemination event of the project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (101130743), funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS-YOUTH-2023-CB call. The event gathered 30 stakeholders, including youth workers, social cooperatives, institutional representatives, and experts working with vulnerable young people.

The meeting focused on presenting the project’s interim results, particularly the Guidelines for Youth Workers (D2.1), the comparative report on youth work in MENA countries, and the outcomes of the pilot training implemented in Italy, Jordan, and Tunisia, involving 26 youth workers. Participants discussed effective methodologies for supporting former detainees and at-risk youth, highlighting the importance of intercultural approaches and soft skills in preventing recidivism.

The results of the international Job Shadowing Call were also presented. Nine youth workers from Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Greece, Malta, and North Macedonia were selected to take part in professional shadowing activities in Rome in early 2026.

The event confirmed the strong interest in building a sustainable and replicable European–MENA model of socio-educational intervention, strengthening youth work as a key tool for social inclusion and prevention.

Dissemination Event Report – YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE

Milan, 4 December 2025 – Spazio Pin

On 4 December 2025, Spazio Pin in Milan hosted the dissemination event of the EU-funded project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE, gathering over 54 stakeholders including youth workers, NGOs, educators, psychologists and social innovators.

The event opened with Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa and Project Coordinator, who highlighted the shared responsibility between Europe and the MENA region to create inclusive pathways for former detainees and vulnerable youth. Mora Di Tommaso, Project Manager, presented the progress achieved through international activities in Amman, Rome and Hammamet, underlining the strength of the partnership and the central role of youth work in social rehabilitation. Ayat Qutaishat, President of AL-EMAD ALKABEER FOR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT CO. (Jordan), offered a valuable perspective on the project’s impact in the MENA region.

Participants were introduced to the main project outputs, including the Guidelines for Youth Workers and the Report on Youth Work in MENA Countries, which sparked strong interest and discussion. Stakeholders engaged in an open exchange on methodologies, prevention of recidivism and the transformative role of trust and education.

The results of the international Job Shadowing Call were also presented: nine youth workers from Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Greece, Malta and North Macedonia will take part in professional shadowing activities in Rome in 2026.

The evening concluded with networking and renewed commitment to strengthening cooperation and building sustainable, replicable models of inclusion for vulnerable young people.

The meeting focused on presenting the project’s interim results, particularly the Guidelines for Youth Workers (D2.1), the comparative report on youth work in MENA countries, and the outcomes of the pilot training implemented in Italy, Jordan, and Tunisia, involving 26 youth workers. Participants discussed effective methodologies for supporting former detainees and at-risk youth, highlighting the importance of intercultural approaches and soft skills in preventing recidivism.

The results of the international Job Shadowing Call were also presented. Nine youth workers from Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Greece, Malta, and North Macedonia were selected to take part in professional shadowing activities in Rome in early 2026.

The event confirmed the strong interest in building a sustainable and replicable European–MENA model of socio-educational intervention, strengthening youth work as a key tool for social inclusion and prevention.

Rome, 9 December 2025
Italian Parliament – Chamber of Deputies, Press Room

SOS Europa Presents the Intermediate Results of the EU Project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE

Public, private, profit and non-profit stakeholders gather in Rome to discuss youth inclusion and social rehabilitation across the Mediterranean

This afternoon, inside the prestigious Press Room of the Chamber of Deputies (Via della Missione 4, Rome), SOS Europa—represented by its President Mattia Di Tommaso—presented the intermediate results of the European project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE to an audience of institutional representatives, civil society organisations, private-sector actors and international stakeholders.

The event aimed to share the outcomes achieved so far, illustrate the impact of the activities conducted in Europe and the MENA region, and strengthen dialogue between organisations engaged in youth work, social inclusion and reintegration pathways for young people at high risk of criminality.

During the presentation, Mattia Di Tommaso highlighted the importance of developing innovative educational methods, strengthening cooperation between Mediterranean partners, and promoting training opportunities that can offer vulnerable youth concrete alternatives for their future.

Participants expressed strong interest in the materials produced to date— including the Guidelines for Youth Workers, the report on youth work in MENA countries, and the pilot results of the first training programmes —recognising their potential for national and international application.

The event reaffirmed the relevance of building stable alliances between public institutions, the non-profit sector and private actors, in order to foster new models of social rehabilitation and prevent youth marginalisation in both European and MENA contexts.

SOS Europa concluded by announcing the upcoming steps planned for early 2026, including other dissemination actions across partner countries.

Dissemination Event in Bologna: Sharing the Results of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE

Bologna, 12 December 2025 – Spazio Kobain

On Thursday, 12 December 2025, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, the dissemination event of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (Project ID: 101130743) took place in Bologna at Spazio Kobain, Via Zannoni 29.

The event was organised to present and disseminate the main results achieved by the project so far, fostering dialogue with local stakeholders and professionals working in youth work, social inclusion and rehabilitation pathways for young people at high risk of criminality.

The meeting gathered youth workers, educators, social workers, representatives of non-profit organisations, students and professionals interested in innovative approaches to socio-educational animation as a tool for social reintegration.

The event was opened by Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa and project coordinator, who introduced the project’s vision and objectives. He highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between Europe and the MENA region to build inclusive and preventive models capable of offering young former inmates and at-risk youth concrete opportunities for personal and professional development.

Eloisa Casadei, Project Manager, presented the activities implemented during the first phase of the project, including the international training in Amman, the pilot experimentation in Rome and Tunisia, and the development of key intellectual outputs. Special attention was given to the Guidelines for Youth Workers and to the Report on Youth Work in MENA Countries, both recognised as strategic tools for practitioners and organisations working in vulnerable contexts.

The discussion that followed allowed participants to reflect on the transferability of the project results at local level, the role of youth work in preventing recidivism, and the value of non-formal education methodologies in building trust, skills and social inclusion.

The dissemination event in Bologna confirmed the strong relevance of the project’s themes and reinforced the commitment of local stakeholders to further promote and use the results of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE within their professional networks.

Dissemination Event in Florence: Promoting Youth Work and Social Inclusion through YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE

Florence, 13 December 2025 – Impact Hub Firenze

On Saturday, 13 December 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, a dissemination event of the Erasmus+ project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (Project ID: 101130743) was held in Florence at Impact Hub Firenze, Via Panciatichi 10–14/16, Building F.

The event aimed to share the project’s results with local stakeholders and to stimulate discussion on the role of youth work as a key instrument for social rehabilitation and inclusion of young people at high risk of criminality, both in Europe and in the MENA region.

The initiative brought together representatives of civil society organisations, youth workers, educators, social innovators and professionals interested in intercultural dialogue, prevention policies and inclusive socio-educational models.

The session was opened by Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa, who underlined how YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE addresses a common Mediterranean challenge: offering young people who have experienced marginalisation, detention or social vulnerability a real alternative based on skills development, education and dignity. He emphasised the importance of dissemination events in ensuring that European-funded projects generate lasting impact beyond the partnership.

Eloisa Casadei, Project Manager, illustrated the project’s main achievements, focusing on the international cooperation among partners from Europe and the MENA area, the pilot training activities and the creation of concrete tools for youth workers. The presentation highlighted the participatory methodologies adopted and the positive feedback collected from both youth workers and beneficiaries.

Participants actively contributed to the discussion, sharing experiences from the local context and exploring potential synergies for applying the project’s results in Tuscany and beyond. Particular interest was expressed in the scalability of the training pathway and in the future opportunities offered by the project, including international job shadowing experiences.

The Florence dissemination event strengthened local engagement with the project and confirmed the importance of investing in youth work as a strategic response to social exclusion, marginalisation and youth unemployment.

Dissemination Event – YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE
Tolfa, 24 January 2026

On 24 January 2026, the Municipality of Tolfa (Rome) hosted a local dissemination meeting of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE, bringing together local associations, public authorities and civil society actors working on youth inclusion and social rehabilitation.

The event aimed to present the project’s main results — including the Guidelines for Youth Workers, the report on youth work in MENA countries and the pilot training pathways — and to discuss their potential application in local contexts.

Among the institutional representatives present were Stefania Bentivoglio (Mayor of Tolfa), Luigi Landi (Mayor of Allumiere) and Alessandro Battilocchio (Member of the Italian Parliament). Their participation underlined the importance of connecting European initiatives with local governance to address youth vulnerability and prevention of criminal pathways.

The meeting strengthened dialogue between European-funded projects and territorial actors, fostering future cooperation and reinforcing a shared commitment to inclusive and sustainable youth work models.

Arab International University Hosts Presentation on Erasmus+ and “Youth Will Be Free”

On 27 December 2025, the International Relations Directorate of the Arab International University (AIU) organised an introductory presentation on Erasmus+ scholarships, with special focus on the project Youth Will Be Free. The event took place in Room PH27 at the Faculty of Pharmacy and was open to both students and academic staff.

The session provided an overview of the Erasmus+ programme, its objectives, and the scholarship opportunities available for students and lecturers. Participants received practical information about eligibility criteria, application procedures, and participation mechanisms.

A dedicated segment was delivered by the Youth Will Be Free project team, presenting the project’s goals, activities, and opportunities for engagement. The initiative aims to strengthen youth work and social rehabilitation pathways through international cooperation.

The event concluded with an open Q&A session, encouraging dialogue and active involvement. The presentation represented an important step in promoting European academic exchange and empowering young people to expand their educational and professional horizons.

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Dissemination Event in Cairo – YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE
Cairo, 28 December 2025

On 28 December 2025, the Mediterranean Youth Foundation (MYF) organised a dissemination event in Cairo as part of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE.

MYF is a green, digital and advocacy-based organisation dedicated to empowering youth and women across the Euro-Mediterranean region, promoting intercultural dialogue and sustainable development. Headquartered in Nasr City, Cairo, the Foundation works to strengthen youth participation and social inclusion at both local and international levels.

The dissemination meeting gathered youth workers, civil society representatives and young activists to present the main objectives and results of the project. The event focused on the role of youth work in supporting vulnerable young people and promoting social rehabilitation pathways, particularly within the MENA region.

Participants were introduced to the project’s key outputs, including the Guidelines for Youth Workers and the international pilot training activities. The discussion highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation between Europe and the Mediterranean area in building inclusive, sustainable and preventive models of youth engagement.

The event reinforced MYF’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and expanding the impact of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE within Egypt and the wider Mediterranean context.

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Online Dissemination Campaign – YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE

Association for Progress, Education and Lobbying (PEL), Skopje

As part of the dissemination strategy of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE, the partner Association for Progress, Education and Lobbying (PEL) – Skopje implemented an online awareness campaign to promote the project’s results and increase outreach at national and regional level.

PEL, a civil society organisation active in youth empowerment, education and international cooperation, shared a series of visual cards and informational posts across its digital channels, including Facebook and other social media platforms. The campaign presented the project’s objectives, key activities and main outputs, with particular focus on the role of youth work in supporting vulnerable young people and strengthening social rehabilitation pathways.

In addition, PEL published a dedicated YouTube video summarising the project’s impact and highlighting the importance of cross-border cooperation between Europe and the MENA region. The video format allowed for wider accessibility and engagement, especially among young audiences and youth workers.

Through this digital dissemination campaign, PEL contributed to amplifying the visibility of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE and reinforcing its message of inclusion, prevention and international collaboration.

Online Dissemination Campaign – YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE


Promoted by SOS Europa (Project Coordinator)

As coordinator of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (101130743), SOS Europa launched a structured online dissemination campaign aimed at increasing visibility, engagement and awareness of the project’s objectives and results across Europe and the MENA region.

The campaign was designed to translate complex project outputs into accessible and impactful digital content. Through a series of social media cards, short explanatory texts and targeted posts, SOS Europa presented the core elements of the project: the Guidelines for Youth Workers, the comparative research on youth work in MENA countries, the pilot training activities and the international Job Shadowing opportunities.

The communication strategy focused on three key dimensions:

  • Awareness: explaining the social challenges addressed by the project, particularly youth marginalisation, reintegration and prevention of criminal pathways.

  • Engagement: encouraging youth workers, civil society organisations and institutional stakeholders to explore and apply the project’s methodologies.

  • Impact visibility: showcasing concrete results and reinforcing the European–Mediterranean cooperation model developed by the partnership.

Content was shared across SOS Europa’s official digital channels, including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, ensuring outreach to diverse audiences such as youth professionals, NGOs, policy actors and young people themselves.

This online campaign strengthened the project’s digital presence, expanded its reach beyond physical events and contributed to building a sustainable network of stakeholders committed to inclusive and preventive youth work models.

Closing Meeting of Youth Will Be Free: reflecting on impact and future cooperation

On 7 February 2026, the closing meeting of the project Youth Will Be Free – Generate a Positive Mediterranean Network of Inclusion and Rehabilitation of Youth at Risk took place in Athens, at Europe Experience. The project is funded under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth programme.

The choice of Europe Experience as the venue was not accidental, but part of a path of methodological and symbolic continuity. During the training for youth workers held in Rome, participants had already experienced a similar setting, directly engaging with a European space dedicated to dialogue, participation and active citizenship. The decision to replicate this activity also with the project staff stemmed directly from the youth workers themselves, in line with the spirit of peer learning and horizontal mutual training that characterised the project from its very beginning.

The closing meeting: evaluation, impact and sustainability

During the closing meeting in Athens, consortium partners devoted significant time to the discussion and assessment of the quality and impact of the project, critically analysing both the activities implemented and the results achieved over the 24 months of implementation.

The main project outputs were presented and discussed, including:

  • the methodological manual for youth workers working with young people at risk of social exclusion and criminal involvement;
  • the report on the role of youth work in MENA countries, analysing challenges, opportunities and emerging models;
  • the scalable and replicable training programme, tested through pilot activities and job shadowing pathways.

Alongside the evaluation of results, partners engaged in an in-depth discussion on sustainability strategies, a key element foreseen by the Grant Agreement. The debate highlighted a shared commitment not to consider the project as an isolated experience, but rather as a foundation for future actions, transfer of results and new joint project initiatives.

A shared commitment towards the future

The conclusion of the meeting marked a particularly meaningful moment: the entire partnership confirmed its willingness to continue collaborating in the same direction, strengthening the Mediterranean network built through Youth Will Be Free. In this perspective, partners announced their intention to develop a new joint project proposal, to be submitted by the end of February, with the aim of ensuring continuity and amplifying the project’s impact at European and international level.

Athens as a symbolic space for European dialogue

Hosting the closing meeting at Europe Experience further reinforced the symbolic value of the event: a space that embodies the core values of the European Union — inclusion, participation, intercultural dialogue and active citizenship — fully aligned with the project’s approach and vision.

The closing meeting did not represent only the formal conclusion of Youth Will Be Free, but rather a handover towards new challenges, confirming once again how youth work can act as a driver of social change, capable of offering concrete opportunities to young people at risk of marginalisation.

Agenda Meeting in Greece
Project presentation

Youth Will Be Free: Mattia Di Tommaso Presents Project Results at Teatro Brancaccio, Rome

On 2 February, the historic Teatro Brancaccio hosted a high-profile public event dedicated to the presentation of the results of the European project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (Project ID: 101130743), funded by the European Union under the ERASMUS-YOUTH-2023-CB call.

During the event, Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa and Coordinator of the project, delivered a central intervention that brought together institutions, civil society organisations, youth workers and international partners to reflect on the social impact already generated by the project and on its long-term vision.

A Project Focused on Dignity, Skills and Second Chances

In his speech, Di Tommaso recalled the core mission of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE: improving the quality of youth work in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) so that it can become a concrete tool for social rehabilitation. The project specifically targets young former detainees and youth at high risk of criminality, offering them an alternative pathway based on professional skills, education and dignity.

He stressed that youth work is not merely a support activity, but a strategic lever for prevention, capable of reducing marginalisation, rebuilding trust and opening real employment opportunities for young people who are often excluded from traditional systems.

Results Achieved So Far

During the intervention, the audience was guided through the main results achieved in the first phase of the project:

  • International training activities involving youth workers from eight countries across Europe and the MENA area, focused on psychology, pedagogy of deviance and cultural mediation.
  • The development of the Guidelines for Youth Workers, an operational manual designed to support professionals working with highly vulnerable youth, based on non-formal and informal education methodologies.
  • A comparative Report on the role of youth workers in MENA countries, highlighting differences, shared challenges and emerging needs in the field of socio-educational animation.
  • The implementation of pilot training pathways in Italy, Jordan and Tunisia, which demonstrated the scalability and transferability of the project’s approach.

Di Tommaso underlined that these outputs are not theoretical products, but practical tools already tested in real contexts, shaped by the experiences of youth workers and beneficiaries themselves.

International Cooperation at the Heart of the Project

A key element of the speech was the emphasis on the strength of the international partnership, which brings together organisations from Italy, Greece, Malta, North Macedonia, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Syria. According to Di Tommaso, the diversity of the consortium represents one of the project’s greatest assets, allowing different cultural and educational perspectives to converge into a shared Mediterranean model of inclusion.

“The real value of this project,” he stated, “lies in the cooperation between organisations that operate in very different contexts, yet face the same challenge: offering young people a concrete alternative to marginalisation.”

Rome as a Symbolic Space for Dialogue

Speaking from the stage of Teatro Brancaccio, Di Tommaso highlighted the symbolic importance of Rome as a meeting point between cultures, institutions and civil society. Hosting the event in such a central and historic venue reinforced the message that youth inclusion and rehabilitation are not marginal issues, but priorities that deserve visibility, political attention and public debate.

Looking Ahead

The intervention concluded with a forward-looking reflection on the next phases of the project, including further dissemination activities, international job shadowing experiences in Rome and the consolidation of a replicable and sustainable training model for youth work.

Di Tommaso closed by reaffirming SOS Europa’s commitment to ensuring that the results of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE continue to live beyond the project’s formal duration, inspiring policies, practices and new collaborations across Europe and the MENA region.

Brussels, 4 March 2026 – European Parliament

A delegation of SOS Europa, led by its President Mattia Di Tommaso and Project Manager Eloisa Casadei, met with Member of the European Parliament Dario Nardella at the European Parliament in Brussels to present the final deliverables of the Erasmus+ project “YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE” (Project ID: 101130743).

Funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme, the project has been implemented between April 2024 and March 2026 with the aim of strengthening the role of youth work as a tool for social rehabilitation and inclusion of young people at high risk of criminality and former detainees, particularly in the Mediterranean and MENA regions.

During the meeting, the delegation presented the main outcomes developed throughout the two-year implementation period, including the Guidelines for Youth Workers, the comparative report on youth work in MENA countries, and the pilot training pathway designed to support the professional development of youth workers working with vulnerable youth.

These results represent concrete tools intended to support educators, civil society organisations and public institutions in creating inclusive training pathways and employment opportunities for young people at risk of marginalisation.

The discussion with MEP Dario Nardella focused on the strategic importance of strengthening cooperation between European institutions and civil society organisations working in the field of youth inclusion, social rehabilitation and prevention of youth criminality.

According to Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa and coordinator of the project, the initiative demonstrates how education, intercultural dialogue and professional training can offer real second chances to young people facing social vulnerability.

“Projects such as YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE show that youth work can become a powerful instrument of social transformation,” said Di Tommaso. “By investing in skills, dignity and opportunities, we can help young people at risk rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.”

Following the institutional meeting at the European Parliament, the delegation also engaged in discussions with several European stakeholders, civil society representatives and organisations active in youth policies, exchanging perspectives on future cooperation and potential initiatives aimed at strengthening youth work systems across Europe and the Mediterranean region.

The visit to Brussels represents an important milestone in the dissemination of the project’s results at the European level and confirms the commitment of SOS Europa and its international partners to continue working together to promote inclusive youth policies, cross-regional cooperation and innovative socio-educational approaches capable of generating long-term social impact.

The project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE involves a partnership of organisations from Italy, Greece, Malta, North Macedonia, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia and Syria, creating a transnational network dedicated to improving youth work practices and fostering social inclusion across the Mediterranean region.

Dissemination Event of the Project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE at DIDACTA Fair in Florence

On 13 March 2026, a dissemination event of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (Project ID: 101130743) took place during the DIDACTA International Fair for Education in Florence, Italy.

The event represented an important opportunity to present the objectives, activities, and results of the project to a wider audience composed of educators, youth workers, researchers, representatives of NGOs, and professionals working in the field of education and social inclusion.

During the session, Mattia Di Tommaso, President of SOS Europa and coordinator of the project, illustrated the main goals of the initiative. He highlighted how the project aims to strengthen the quality of youth work in the MENA region and promote social rehabilitation pathways for young former detainees and youth at high risk of criminality.

Participants were introduced to the key achievements of the project, including:

  • the Guidelines for Youth Workers, developed to support professionals working with vulnerable youth;

  • the report on youth work in MENA countries;

  • the pilot training activities carried out in Europe and the Mediterranean region.

The dissemination activity generated significant interest among participants, who engaged in discussions on the importance of non-formal education, intercultural dialogue, and international cooperation as tools to prevent youth marginalisation and support social reintegration.

The event at DIDACTA confirmed the relevance of the YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE project and contributed to strengthening connections between European projects, educational institutions, and organisations working to promote youth inclusion and second-chance opportunities.

Dissemination Event of the Project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE at I.I.S. Giorgi – Woolf, Rome

On 16 March 2026, a dissemination event of the Erasmus+ Capacity Building project YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (Project ID: 101130743) took place at I.I.S. Giorgi – Woolf High School in Rome, Italy, involving fifth-year students of the institute.

The event was led by Eloisa Casadei and Francesca Ciaralli, Project Managers of the project, who introduced students to the objectives, activities and results of the initiative funded under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in the Field of Youth programme.

During the session, the speakers explained how the project aims to strengthen youth work in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) and promote social rehabilitation pathways for young former detainees and youth at high risk of criminal involvement, offering them opportunities for education, professional development and social reintegration.

Students were also presented with the main outputs developed within the project, including the Guidelines for Youth Workers, the comparative report on youth work in MENA countries, and the pilot training activities implemented in several partner countries.

The meeting encouraged an open discussion with the students about social inclusion, prevention of marginalisation, and the role of education and youth work in supporting vulnerable young people. The event also raised awareness about European cooperation programmes and the opportunities offered by Erasmus+ for young people across Europe and neighbouring regions.

The dissemination activity contributed to strengthening the connection between European projects and educational institutions, inspiring students to reflect on the importance of solidarity, inclusion and international cooperation in building more resilient and inclusive societies.

From Results to Sustainability: Launching “LEAD THE GAME” as the Natural Evolution of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE

When we started YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE (101130743), our ambition was clear: to strengthen youth work as a powerful tool for social rehabilitation and inclusion, especially for young people facing vulnerability, marginalisation or experiences linked to detention. Over the course of the project, through trainings, research, job shadowing activities and dialogue between Europe and the MENA region, something even deeper emerged.

We realised that rehabilitation is only the first step. What young people truly need is not only a second chance — they need the opportunity to lead.

Throughout the implementation of YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE, we listened carefully. We listened to youth workers who asked for more advanced tools. We listened to participants who wanted structured pathways for long-term growth. We listened to partners who highlighted the importance of transforming prevention into empowerment. Dissemination events, local meetings and international exchanges all reinforced the same message: the model works, but it must go further.

For this reason, SOS Europa and the partnership decided to ensure real sustainability of the project’s results by designing and submitting a new proposal — “LEAD THE GAME.”

LEAD THE GAME is the natural evolution of the journey we began. It was written thanks to the concrete experience gained during YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE: the methodologies tested in the field, the Guidelines developed through research and cooperation, the feedback collected from youth workers and stakeholders, and the lessons learned from intercultural collaboration between Europe and the MENA region.

While YOU(TH) WILL BE FREE focused on strengthening youth work for social rehabilitation, LEAD THE GAME aims to shift the perspective toward youth leadership, responsibility and active citizenship. It seeks to consolidate what has already been built and to transform it into a more structured, scalable and long-term model.

Sustainability, for us, means not letting good practices remain isolated. It means building continuity. It means turning experience into evolution.

With LEAD THE GAME, we are not closing a chapter — we are opening a new one, grounded in everything we have learned and strengthened by the voices of those who made the first project meaningful.

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