Project Description
In collaboration with the European Network on Independent Living and the Council of Europe, the programme provided young people with a platform to explore and embrace diversity, exchange skills, strengthen each other’s capacities, and work together in inclusive and creative ways to promote active citizenship. The initiative addressed various forms of discrimination affecting individuals and communities who face oppression and barriers in their daily lives.
The concept of a brave(r) space emphasises the importance of empowering young people to understand their roles in society, make their voices heard, and take pride in their identities while respecting and valuing the experiences of others. It highlights the necessity of going the extra mile to become allies to other communities and to safeguard and promote human rights.
Outputs
- The project delivered a calendar of allyship, an open language manual, and a factsheet for inclusive events, guiding EU organisations to better embrace diversity and lived experiences.
- The project engaged 25 participants, including 4 personal assistants, from diverse minoritised and minority communities, while outreach efforts through social media and communication activities reached hundreds more.
- Several interviews were conducted with participants so that they could share their experiences with discrimination and explore ways to become better allies, fostering a more inclusive environment for all communities.
Findings
- Inclusion comes about when we recognise and respect each other’s needs, taking intentional steps to create spaces in which people feel safer and more empowered to express themselves authentically in various situations. Every need for access matters.
- A deeper understanding of diverse identities and lived experiences is essential. Without truly understanding diversity, we cannot fully embrace it.
- It is crucial to get to know people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and nationalities to address unconscious biases. Each of us has a responsibility to combat bias, discrimination, and hatred in all forms. By breaking the vicious cycle of hate, we can foster a virtuous cycle of inclusion and understanding.