Future of Inclusion

A Beautiful Setting and a Shared Mission

Budapest, a city that blends history with modern vibrancy, became the setting for the Future of Inclusion training course, which gathered youth workers from Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Romania and Czechia. The city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere and inclusive spirit provided the ideal backdrop for a programme of shared learning, collaboration, and reflection.

The programme was designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to embed diversity and inclusion at the heart of Erasmus+ projects. From the start, activities encouraged openness, trust, and dialogue, inviting participants to reflect on their expectations, consider what inclusion means in their own realities, and commit to building an environment of cooperation and mutual respect.

From Theory to Practice

The training combined theoretical input with hands-on practice. Workshops introduced the priorities of the Erasmus+ programme, while collaborative exercises translated abstract concepts into practical strategies. Project design simulations, teamwork challenges, and role-based activities gave participants the chance to experience inclusion in action, strengthen leadership and communication skills, and discover new ways of making youth work more accessible and impactful.

A key focus of the programme was digital competence. Participants explored tools to make projects more inclusive and efficient, while also engaging in discussions around online safety and cybersecurity. These sessions ensured that youth workers are prepared not only to innovate with digital methods, but also to protect both themselves and the young people they support.

Learning Through Exchange

Equally important were the opportunities for peer exchange and collective creativity. By sharing experiences from their different national contexts, participants enriched one another’s perspectives and co-created approaches that could be applied across Europe. Informal moments and shared experiences complemented the structured sessions, strengthening bonds and transforming the group into a cohesive and supportive community.

A Lasting Impact

The Future of Inclusion was ultimately more than a training course. It was a transformative journey that blended learning with personal growth, professional development with human connection. Participants left Budapest not only with concrete tools and strategies for inclusive project management, but also with a renewed motivation to make inclusion a lived reality in their organisations and communities. Together, they carry forward the commitment to shape a future where inclusion is not just an idea, but a practice embedded in every aspect of Erasmus+ and youth work.