EmpowerYOUth is an Erasmus+ learning programme for young people aged 14–18. It helps young people develop practical emotional coping strategies and strengthen their resilience. Through evidence-based methods, interactive discussion and student-centred learning, the programme helps young people better understand their emotions, manage stress, strengthen relationships and respond more effectively to life’s challenges. It also promotes wellbeing, self-awareness, emotional regulation and help-seeking. Adolescence is a period of significant growth and change. Young people are developing greater independence, forming their identity and learning how to manage increasingly complex emotions, relationships and decisions. At the same time, many young people are growing up in a context of academic pressure, constant social comparison, social media, uncertainty about the future and changing relationships with family and peers. EmpowerYOUth was developed to give young people practical ways to understand what they are experiencing, strengthen their coping skills and resilience, and recognise when and how to seek support. EmpowerYOUth is flexible and participatory. Young people have a voice in the topics they explore, while facilitators can adapt activities to the needs, maturity and dynamics of each group. The programme is normally delivered over eight sessions. Young people are introduced to EmpowerYOUth and select the topics they most want to explore. Young people explore their personal values, strengths and sense of purpose, including through the Ikigai approach. The remaining sessions focus on themes selected by the group. Resilience is at the heart of EmpowerYOUth. It is not about avoiding difficulties, but developing the resources and support that can help us cope with challenges and recover when things are difficult. EmpowerYOUth strengthens resilience through five main approaches: Exploring what matters to us and what gives direction and meaning. Reflecting on different areas of life and the balance and support they provide. Exploring connections between thoughts, emotions and behaviour and learning to challenge unhelpful thinking patterns. Developing skills in emotional regulation, mindfulness, stress management and communication. Strengthening young people's ability to recognise when they need support and to ask for help. EmpowerYOUth builds on two earlier Erasmus+ projects: BUILD — Building Resilience and a Brighter Future — and I-YOU. The learning programme behind EmpowerYOUth has its origins in work developed at Pieta House in Ireland in 2017. Young people took part in focus groups to identify the issues causing them stress and the areas where they wanted more support. The programme has continued to evolve through European cooperation and feedback from young people. New themes have been added over time, including social media, anxiety, loneliness, values and money management. One of the key principles of EmpowerYOUth is that young people should not simply be told what they need to learn. They help identify the issues that matter to them and select the topics they want to explore. The learning approach uses discussion, reflection and participatory methods so that young people can explore their own experiences, hear different perspectives and develop their own understanding. The EmpowerYOUth platform brings the programme and its practical resources together in one place. Young people can explore the EmpowerYOUth Cards and use the Nine Boxes reflection tool to think about different areas of their lives, challenges they may be facing and what might help. Parents and guardians can use the EmpowerYOUth Cards, the Nine Boxes and four short videos with information and practical ideas for understanding and supporting young people at home. Educators and youth workers can use the EmpowerYOUth Cards and access the learning programme, modules and facilitator materials through the restricted part of the platform. The programme is the structured learning programme. The platform is where the programme and practical resources can be accessed. The platform is designed to support learning, reflection and conversation. It does not replace relationships, school support or professional help when that is needed. EmpowerYOUth brings together four organisations from Iceland, Italy and Bulgaria with complementary expertise in mental health and wellbeing, education, youth work, training and participatory learning. The partnership consists of Píeta Ísland and NORTH Consulting in Iceland, National Management School in Bulgaria and Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci in Italy. Píeta Ísland is a non-profit organisation working in suicide and self-harm prevention and support. Its work combines professional support, prevention and approaches designed to strengthen mental health and wellbeing. Founded in Reykjavík in 2017, it has expanded to Akureyri, Ísafjörður and eastern Iceland. Services are free, with a 24-hour hotline. NORTH Consulting is an educational, consulting and training company based in Reykjavík. Its work includes curriculum and educational material development, training, participatory learning approaches and international collaborative projects. Within EmpowerYOUth, NORTH contributes its experience in developing learning methodologies, educational content and practical resources for young people and the adults who work with and support them. Its work also encourages creativity, curiosity and participation across backgrounds. The National Management School is a Bulgarian non-profit organisation founded in 1990, working in formal and non-formal education, competence development and the personal and social development of young people. Its work includes national and international educational and youth projects, training and innovative approaches to learning, supporting a knowledge-based economy and society. Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci is a non-profit organisation based in Palermo whose work is rooted in the social and educational work of Danilo Dolci, beginning in 1958. The Centre works in education and social development through participatory approaches and collaborates with young people, schools, universities, organisations and communities, locally and internationally. For further information: info@empoweryouth.isAbout
EmpowerYOUth.
Why EmpowerYOUth?
How the programme works
Getting started
Values and purpose
Topics chosen by young people
Building resilience
Values and purpose
Nine Boxes
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) techniques
Help-seeking
Developed with and for young people
Young people have a voice in what they explore.
The EmpowerYOUth platform
Young people
Parents and guardians
Educators and youth workers
Our partners
Píeta Ísland
Iceland · Project coordinatorRead more
NORTH Consulting
IcelandRead more
National Management School
BulgariaRead more
Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci
ItalyRead more
Wellbeing · Resilience · Connection
Original programmeBUILD / I-YOUEmpowerYOUth