Our Projects
Our organization worked on multiple projects as a non-formal youth group before formally establishing the organization. These experiences laid the foundation for our current work, strengthening our capacity in project design, implementation, and community engagement at both local and European levels.
From Youth for Peace
A structured youth-led initiative implemented in Şanlıurfa, designed to strengthen Syrian youth diaspora engagement in peacebuilding, governance discussions, and policy development within the Syrian context.
The project combined skills training, thematic dialogues, research production, and public dissemination to ensure that youth voices were not only heard, but translated into concrete outputs.
Target Group
- 20 young people based in Şanlıurfa
- Diverse backgrounds (Syrian and local youth)
- Youth interested in peacebuilding, governance, and public affairs
Core Activities
-
Online Capacity-Building Trainings
Three online trainings were delivered focusing on:- Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
- Mediation Skills
- Conflict-sensitive dialogue facilitation
-
Five Structured Thematic Dialogues
A series of five facilitated dialogue sessions were conducted with 20 young participants. Each session focused on a key theme:- Youth, Peace and Security in the Syrian Context
- Women, Peace and Security
- Transitional Justice
- Governance, Ruling Systems, and Political Ideologies
- Citizenship and National Identity
-
Project Writing and Development Workshop
A dedicated in-person workshop introduced participants to:- Project design fundamentals
- Needs assessment and problem analysis
- Logical framework thinking
- Proposal writing basics
-
Youth-Led White Paper Development
- Youth perspectives on governance and peacebuilding
- Key challenges in the Syrian context
- Concrete and realistic recommendations
-
Academic Research Publication
In addition to the policy paper, the project team published an academic research examining youth roles in peacebuilding and democratization processes. -
Public Forum for Dissemination
A public forum was organized to disseminate the project outcomes to a wider audience. The event included:- Presentation of the White Paper recommendations
- Open discussion with attendees
- Q&A session on feasibility and future advocacy pathways
Impact
- Strengthened youth capacity in mediation and structured dialogue
- Increased political literacy and critical thinking
- Produced tangible outputs (White Paper + academic publication)
- Enhanced youth confidence in public engagement
- Created a safe and structured space for discussing sensitive socio-political issues
From Youth for Peace demonstrated that youth engagement must move beyond symbolic participation. When equipped with skills, space, and structure, young people can produce substantive policy contributions and shape informed public discourse.
Uniting Youth Through Calisthenics Sport
A 12-month European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Project implemented in Şanlıurfa, bringing together refugee and local youth through structured calisthenics training and social integration activities.
The project was developed in response to the growing need for social cohesion between refugee and host communities. By using calisthenics — a bodyweight-based, accessible form of exercise — the initiative created a shared, inclusive space where young people could train together, build trust, and form meaningful friendships regardless of background.
Objectives
- Promote social cohesion between refugee and local Turkish youth
- Improve physical and mental well-being through structured training
- Encourage teamwork, leadership, and discipline
- Create safe spaces for intercultural dialogue and exchange
Target Group
- 20 young people aged 18–25
- 50% refugee youth and 50% local youth
- Gender-balanced participation
Key Activities
- Monthly structured calisthenics sessions held in public spaces in Şanlıurfa
- Workshops on healthy nutrition, injury prevention, and mental health
- Community engagement activities including running and cycling sessions
- Cultural exchange gatherings and storytelling circles
Impact
Over the course of one year, participants reported improvements in:
- Physical strength and endurance
- Mental resilience and confidence
- Cross-cultural understanding and social interaction
- Sense of belonging and teamwork
The project demonstrated how sport — particularly accessible street workout culture — can serve as a practical tool for peacebuilding, youth empowerment, and social integration at the local level.
