Pathways of Inclusion Project Kicks Off in Madrid: The First Step Towards More Inclusive Youth Work

The Erasmus+ KA153 Mobility of Youth Workers project "Pathways of Inclusion" (Project No: 2025-1-ES02-KA153-YOU-000297370), coordinated by KUFF Asociación de Solidaridad con Refugiados y Minorías, officially started on 5 October 2025 in Madrid, Spain. The project brings together youth workers from Vezirköprü Cumhuriyet Ortaokulu (Türkiye), AESS – Associação para o Desenvolvimento de uma Economia Solidária e Sustentável (Portugal), Youth Thessaloniki (Greece), Changemakers Debrecen (Hungary), and Grupul Tomorrow Hub (Romania) with the common goal of strengthening youth workers' knowledge, skills, and competences in the field of social inclusion.

The first day began with interactive ice-breaking activities that enabled participants to get to know one another, build trust, and establish a strong foundation for intercultural cooperation. This was followed by an orientation session introducing the project programme, working environment, and the activities planned throughout the mobility in Madrid.

Participants also attended presentations on environmental sustainability, where they explored eco-friendly practices, waste management, and recycling methods that would be applied during the project. During the readiness assessment sessions, participants evaluated their existing knowledge of the project topic, shared their expectations, and discussed the objectives that would guide the upcoming activities.

Informative sessions on the Erasmus+ Programme and the Youthpass Certificate provided participants with a better understanding of the learning opportunities offered by Erasmus+ and the importance of documenting the competences gained throughout the project. In addition, participants worked in international teams to design creative posters promoting the objectives and values of the Erasmus+ Programme.

The day concluded with a reflection and evaluation session, allowing participants to review the learning outcomes of the first day. In the evening, the Spain & Türkiye Cultural Fair offered an opportunity to experience traditional music, dances, and cultural heritage, strengthening intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding among all partner organisations.

The opening day of Pathways of Inclusion successfully established the foundations for international cooperation while reinforcing the project's mission of promoting more inclusive youth work and equal opportunities across Europe.