The Hard Topics project addresses the growing issue of social polarization. Young people report that engaging in constructive discussions about social topics is becoming increasingly difficult.
The project’s core goal is to enhance the dialogue skills of young people and youth workers while creating spaces for discussions on shared European values—using a participatory and youth-friendly approach.
More than 850 young individuals are directly involved in the project, including at least 15% from geographically or culturally challenging backgrounds, along with approximately 110 youth workers.
Project Activities
Diverse partners from four neighboring countries are working together to gain experience, develop dialogue trainings and workshops, as well as create an innovative app for »dates of political opponents«. This tool helps youth workers connect young people with different viewpoints.
Youth workers undergo training to use these innovations through blended international mobility, continuously testing the results at local levels.
Additionally, the project includes research, stakeholder consultations, and the establishment of a Dialogue Network to connect organizations.
Project Outcomes
Youth workers, teachers, and other professionals working with young people across Europe benefit from new dialogue methods published in a handbook, as well as training sessions and an app for organizing discussions between individuals with opposing views.
Policy recommendations are provided to decision-makers to improve youth work and civic education.
Youth and other organizations also use the project to establish a lasting network that continues to promote dialogue-based principles even after the project concludes.
Project Overview
- Co-financed by: Erasmus+ Programme: Youth, Key Action 2
- Contract number: 2022-1-SI02-KA220-YOU-000090117
- Lead partner: Socialna akademija, Slovenia
- Partners: IniciativAngola (Austria), KatHAZ (Hungary), Documenta (Croatia)
- Implementation: October 2022 – May 2025
