Project Status
Ongoing: Start date 11-05-2026, end date 10-12-2026
EU Grant: 46.882,00 €
Programme: Erasmus+
Key Action: Learning Mobility of Individuals
Action Type: Mobility of young people
Countries covered: 3
Topics: Human rights and rule of law, Promotion of alternative forms of participation, Prevention of conflicts, post-conflict rehabilitation
Summary
Objectives
The primary objective of this project is to empower young activists through enhanced understanding of civic engagement, democracy and antimilitarism. By facilitating intercultural exchange among participants from Finland, Germany and Belarus, we aim to foster long-lasting connections and collaborative networks that extend beyond the project’s duration.
We aim to enhance participants’ competencies in advocacy and media communication, equipping them with tools necessary for effective activism. Also, we want to increase awareness of the human right to refuse military service and related issues, encouraging participants to engage in informed discussions within their communities.
We try to stimulate interest in political processes and civic engagement, empowering participants to take active roles in their democracies. And we want to promote understanding and cooperation among youth organisations across Europe, strengthening collective efforts against militarism.
Through these objectives, we aspire to create a supportive environment that nurtures informed, engaged and active citizens, ultimately contributing to the advancement of democratic values and human rights.
Activities
The three participating organisations will try to coordinate a series of three Youth Exchanges: the first will take place as a small scale partnership in Germany in May 2026, followed by another in Vilnius during the summer of 2026, and concluding with a final exchange in Finland in September 2026. Throughout these exchanges, participants will engage in workshops, visit conversion areas and memorial sites, and engage in discussions with members of parliament. Additionally, we will organise demonstrations and/or artistic performances in public space in front of governmental buildings to draw attention to the human right to asylum for conscientious objectors. A lot of time will be allocated for networking, relationship-building and reflection.
A total of 30 young people are planning to participate to the Youth Exchange in Helsinki, including 10 refugees from Belarus residing in Lithuania, 10 young participants from Finland, and 10 from Germany, primarily from Berlin, who face various barriers to participation.
In youth exchange programs, and in contemporary society at large, Finnish conscientious objectors may encounter challenges such as potential stigmatization, exclusion and divergent cultural attitudes towards military service. National regulations, guidelines and peer pressure can further complicate participation in such programs. Similar to their German counterparts, Finnish participants will bring diverse backgrounds, including variations in ethnicity, language, socio-economic
status, and marginalized gender identities.
Participation in a collective youth exchange program empowers conscientious objectors to advocate for their beliefs, share their experiences and foster a more nuanced understanding of differing perspectives on peace and non-violence. Through this initiative, we aim to create a supportive environment that encourages open communication, helping to address these challenges.
The participants from the Association for Networking and Participation are predominantly from the state of Berlin, ranging in age from 18 to 30, and residing in East Berlin, Neukölln, and the Thermometer settlement—areas characterised as social hotspots. The scarcity of civil society organisations in these regions directly
impacts local residents' participation opportunities, making it crucial to provide practical experiences related to the European integration process.
The participants from Nash Dom primarily consist of refugees from Belarus living in Lithuania. They fled military service either before the dictatorship or following the onset of the Russian war of aggression, fearing that Russia would further embroil Belarus in the conflict. They, too, are aged between 18 and 30 and are actively engaged in networking through the Nash Dom organization in Vilnius.
The group of Finnish participants comprises activists and board members from Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto, all aged between 18 and 30. We will maintain a balance of participants across the three groups while respecting each individual's self-identification regarding gender identity, acknowledging that not all participants conform to the gender binary.
Impact
Young activists will gain essential skills in public speaking, advocacy and media engagement, enhancing their capacity for effective civic participation. The establishment of lasting connections among participants from different countries will foster a transnational community committed to antimilitarism and human rights.
Also, the project will elevate awareness regarding the human right to refuse military service and the challenges faced by conscientious objectors, encouraging broader discussions within participants' local communities. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of political processes and civic responsibilities, motivating them to become more active in democratic practices within their own societies.
Through intercultural dialogue and shared experiences, participants will gain insights into diverse perspectives on peace and non-violence, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of global issues. The project will create a framework for ongoing collaboration among the participating organizations, ensuring continued support and knowledge exchange long after the exchanges conclude.
The project aims to cultivate informed, engaged citizens who actively contribute to the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights across Europe.
Partners
Tarptautinis pilietinių iniciatyvų centras "Mūsų namai", VšĮ Lithuania
Pamedės g. 6
14166 Buivydiškių k.
Vilniaus apskritis
Lithuania
Partner Type: Non-governmental organisation/association/social enterprise
Website: https://news.house/lt
Phone: +37060765718
Vereinigung für Vernetzung und Partizipation e. V. Germany
Dörpfeldstraße 74
12489 Berlin
BERLIN
Germany
Partner Type: Non-governmental organisation/association/social enterprise
Website: https://vernetzungpartizipation.noblogs.org
Phone: +493012345678
Coordinator
Aseistakieltäytyjäliitto ry
Rauhanasema, Veturitori 3
00520 Helsinki
Helsinki-Uusimaa
Finland
Coordinator Type: Non-governmental organisation/association/social enterprise
Website: https://akl-web.fi/
Phone: +358 40 836 278658
Lue tiedot Erasmuksen sivuilta: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2025-3-FI01-KA...