Change Starts Now - Young People United Against Violence Towards Women

The Erasmus+ Youth Exchange project "Change Starts Now" (Project No: 2024-3-LV02-KA152-YOU-000266537) was held in Riga, Latvia, between 18–25 April 2025, bringing together young people to raise awareness about violence against women and promote gender equality. The project was coordinated by KUFF Asociación de Solidaridad con Refugiados y Minorías and involved partners from Austria, Latvia, Romania, Spain, Türkiye.

The project gathered 40 participants, including young people with fewer opportunities facing social and economic barriers. Its primary objective was to increase young people's awareness of violence against women, femicide, and gender inequality while empowering them to become active changemakers within their local communities.

Through interactive workshops, discussions, creative activities, and intercultural learning experiences, participants explored the causes, consequences, and prevention of gender-based violence. The project also strengthened essential lifelong skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, communication, creativity, and problem-solving, preparing participants to take an active role in youth work and social advocacy.

By bringing together participants from different cultural backgrounds, the project encouraged the exchange of experiences and good practices, highlighting that violence against women is a global challenge requiring international cooperation. Participants shared perspectives from their own countries and worked together to develop ideas for promoting gender equality and preventing violence in their communities.

Beyond increasing awareness, Change Starts Now inspired young people to become peer educators and community leaders. Participants were encouraged to transfer the knowledge and skills they gained through awareness campaigns, educational activities, and local initiatives, contributing to long-term social change and a more inclusive, gender-equal society.

Supported by the Erasmus+ Programme, the project demonstrated the power of international youth cooperation in promoting women's rights, empowering young people, and building stronger communities committed to preventing violence against women.