From 23 to 26 March, partners of the Erasmus+ project EmLead gathered in Vienna, Austria for a Learning, Teaching, Training activity (LTT) dedicated to strengthening the capacities of youth workers in working with young people. The activity brought together participants from partner organisations from Spain, Austria, Serbia, Türkiye, Italy, and Slovenia.
The training focused on the role of empathy in youth work and on the importance of equipping youth workers with practical tools that can help young people better understand one another, communicate more openly, and build healthier social relationships. In a time marked by social pressure, misunderstanding, and reduced space for real dialogue, empathy is becoming an increasingly important skill for young people’s personal and social development.
A central part of the LTT was dedicated to role-playing scenarios developed by the project partners. These scenarios were created as practical tools for use in youth work, helping young people explore different perspectives, reflect on real-life situations, and better understand the feelings and experiences of others. During the training, participants tested the scenarios, shared feedback, and discussed how these methods can be adapted to different local contexts and groups of young people.
The programme combined practical exercises, collaborative work, reflection sessions, and professional exchange among partners. This created space not only for testing the project materials, but also for sharing experiences from daily youth work practice and discussing how to make the developed tools as relevant and useful as possible.
Beyond the training itself, the LTT in Vienna was also an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation among partner organisations. Working together in an international setting allowed participants to exchange approaches, learn from one another, and build a shared understanding of how empathy can be encouraged through youth work in different communities.
This activity marked another important step in the implementation of the EmLead project and in the development of practical resources that can support youth workers in their everyday work with young people. Through this joint effort, the project continues to contribute to more inclusive, reflective, and supportive youth work practices across Europe.
Next→