Welcome to Y-CARE
Youth-Centered Approaches for Resilience and Empowerment
Project Number: 2024-2-PL01-KA220-YOU-000286535
Y-CARE
Project
The Y-CARE project aims to address key challenges faced by youth workers by enhancing their skills in managing mental health issues and improving their psychological and emotional well-being. Aligned with the EU Youth Strategy 2019-2027, the project promotes better mental well-being for young people, combats stigmatization of mental health, and provides mental health first aid training for professionals working with youth. It also supports the development of media and digital literacy skills to help youth workers provide reliable information.
The project aligns with the UN World Youth Report (2020), which stresses the importance of youth-friendly support systems and peer networks to reduce isolation and foster youth development. Y-CARE establishes these networks across participant countries and contributes to the EU Digital Action Plan by creating an e-learning platform for professional and personal development. Through these efforts, Y-CARE improves the quality of youth work, fosters resilience, and promotes work-life balance among youth workers.
Y-CARE
Our Mission
Supporting
Supporting the mental health of youth workers by providing stress management tools.
Enhancing
Enhancing resilience and work-life balance skills tailored to youth workers' needs.
Establishing
Establishing support networks for professional and emotional assistance across countries.
Developing
Developing various digital competencies through innovative e-learning platform.
Y-CARE
Work Packages & Results
State of the Art on mental wellbeing
The following Work Package aims to enhance mental wellbeing among youth workers through a range of regional activities, including round table discussions, focus groups, storytelling, peer support networks, and a Virtual Empathy Lab. Each partner involved in the project will engage in region-specific actions to promote resilience, mental health awareness, and mutual learning. The primary objective is to create an inclusive, supportive environment for youth workers, helping them manage the stresses of their profession and fostering a culture of resilience.
Results
- Round Table Discussions
- Focus Groups
- Resilience Storytelling
- Peer Support Networks
- Virtual Empathy Lab
- State of the Art Report
Transnational research report on burnout-risk profiles
Transnational Research Report presents the findings of Work Package 2 (WP2) of the Y-CARE project, focusing on burnout-risk profiles, work-life balance, organisational support, and peer support mechanisms among youth workers across partner countries. The report is based on a mixed-methods approach combining desk research, a transnational wellbeing survey, and extensive qualitative evidence gathered through reflection roundtables (A2.1) and focus groups (A2.2) implemented in all partner countries.
Training for Youth Workers and E-learning platform development
This Work Package focuses on enhancing the skills, resilience, well-being of youth workers through comprehensive training and the development of digital learning tools. The key aim is to strengthen the capacity of youth workers to manage the challenges of profession while promoting mental health and sustainable professional development.
Results
- Comprehensive Youth-Focused Training Modules
- Enhanced Professional Development
- User-Friendly E-Learning Platform
- Sustainable Support Systems
- Widespread Platform Adoption
Training Program
The Y-CARE project responds to increasing emotional and psychological demands placed on youth workers across Europe. Often working with vulnerable populations in high-pressure environments, youth professionals face burnout, emotional fatigue, and a lack of long-term institutional support. This manual brings together the final Learning Units (LUs) developed by project partners and is intended for use in both in-person and digital settings, supported by the project’s e-learning platform. The training promotes a holistic, trauma-informed approach to youth worker well-being, focusing on resilience, self-awareness, peer support, and systemic change.
Training Curriculum
The learning outcomes are defined in terms of:
Knowledge – Comprehensive, specialised, factual and theoretical knowledge within a field of work or study and an awareness of the boundaries of that knowledge;
Skills – A comprehensive range of cognitive and practical skills required to develop creative solutions to abstract problems;
Responsibility and autonomy – Exercise management and supervision in contexts of work or study activities where there is unpredictable change, review and develop performance of self and others.
Y-Care Training Portal - Quality Culture
Visit the website with e-learning platform for Y-CARE Project.
Dissemination and Communication
This Work Package focuses on promoting the well-being of social workers and employees in Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) by enhancing awareness and implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Its core aim is to foster sustainable, responsible practices that align with the broader goals of employee well-being, organizational innovation, and good governance.
Results
- Awareness Campaign Focused on Youth Workers
- Multiplier Events and Final Conference
- Panel Discussions on Mental Well-being
- Enhanced ESG Awareness
- Virtual Empathy Lab
- Comprehensive Educational Resources
All project results are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Y-CARE
News & Activities
Youth Workers Begin Piloting Y-CARE Training Modules Across Europe
Youth workers involved in the Y-CARE project have officially begun piloting newly developed training modules designed to strengthen professional resilience, well-being, and long-term sustainability […]
Y-CARE E-Learning Platform and Training Portal Now Available
The Y-CARE partnership is pleased to announce the launch of the Y-CARE E-Learning Platform, an important project result designed to support the professional development and well-being of youth workers across Europe. […]
Y-CARE Peer Support Network Groups Launched in Partner Countries
Within the framework of the Y-CARE Youth-Centered Approaches for Resilience and Empowerment project, Peer Support Network Groups are currently being established in each partner country. These […]
Y-CARE Empathy Lab Webinar Brings European Youth Professionals Together
On February 26, 2026, the Y-CARE Empathy Lab successfully brought together educators, youth workers and specialists from across Europe for an inspiring online webinar focused […]
New Transnational Report Highlights Burnout Risks Among Youth Workers Across Europe
A new Transnational Research Report on burnout-risk profiles among youth workers has been published within the Y-CARE – Youth-Centered Approaches for Resilience and Empowerment project, […]
Y-CARE Awareness Campaign has Officially Started
We are pleased to announce the official launch of the Y-CARE Awareness Campaign, an international communication and outreach initiative aimed at supporting youth workers across Europe. […]
Y-CARE
Partners
IASIS
IASIS NGO is a leading non-profit organization based in Athens, Greece, dedicated to promoting mental health, social inclusion, and lifelong learning. Since its founding in 2005, IASIS has focused on supporting vulnerable groups, including people with mental health challenges, young people at risk, migrants, and individuals involved in the justice system.
With over 90 professional staff and a dynamic network of 8,500 volunteers, IASIS provides a wide range of services, including psychosocial support, educational programs, vocational training, and community-based care. The organization operates several specialized units, such as day centers, shelters for adolescents, and the certified VET center “Edify Centre”, offering upskilling programs in areas like mental health literacy, resilience building, and digital competence.
IASIS also actively participates in European projects, working across borders to promote innovation in health, education, and youth empowerment. As a member of several European networks the organization is committed to sharing best practices and contributing to EU-wide efforts in social care, inclusion, and training.
Through its holistic, person-centered approach, IASIS aims to build a society where every individual has equal opportunities to thrive, connect, and contribute.
BildungsLAB
BildungsLAB – Hands and Minds Learning Center is a non-profit organization based in Vienna. It transforms education through inclusive and practical approaches. Their work combines digital innovation, sustainability, and flexible learning formats. BildungsLAB´s goal is to support personal growth for both daily life and professional development.
Founder Silvia Schroeder developed the “Threads” method. This unique approach weaves personal stories into shared learning. It builds trust, confidence and a sense of belonging. Silvia has extensive experience with EU-funded projects, storytelling and empowerment. She helps people discover their strengths and find balance — making BildungsLAB a valuable partner in the Y-Care project.
With a committed team, a strong European network and local initiatives, BildungsLAB supports individuals in navigating change and overcoming personal challenges.
ISUM
The Institute for Professional Development of Youth (ISUM) is a non-profit association founded in 2010 with a commitment to enhance the social inclusion of young individuals in Croatia. Over the years, with its hard work the Institute has successfully implemented many national and EU projects, totalling more than 100 initiatives dedicated to youth development. The organization places a strong emphasis on tackling issues such as education and unemployment, striving to not only decrease the percentage of youth unemployment but also support the soft skills of young individuals. By implementing projects that target skill enhancement and personal development, the organization is dedicated to equipping young people with the tools they need to navigate the job market successfully. The goal is not only to provide employment opportunities but also to provide a sense of confidence and self-efficacy among the youth.
The Institute’s team of project managers, psychologists, counsellors, and occupational therapists brings a wealth of experience and expertise in working with children and youth, specializing in understanding and addressing the unique challenges that these demographics face, including those with fewer opportunities.
In addition to its core team, the Institute has successfully mobilized a network of volunteers who actively contribute to the implementation of various projects with more than 3000 volunteer hours per year.
City of Łomża
The City of Łomża serves as the coordinator of the international project “Y-CARE – Youth-Centered Approaches for Resilience and Empowerment”, which aims to strengthen the mental and social resilience of young people through innovative, participatory approaches.
As a local government authority with extensive experience in implementing national and European projects, the City of Łomża actively supports the social, educational, and civic development of youth. By cooperating with local schools, cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations, and international partners, Łomża fosters an environment that encourages youth participation and engagement in community life.
Within the “Y-CARE” project, the City of Łomża is responsible for:
1. overall coordination of partner activities,
2. administrative and financial management,
3. ensuring the quality and consistency of results,
4. promotion of the project and its outcomes at local, national, and international levels.
Thanks to its strong institutional background and a team of qualified professionals, Łomża plays a key role in initiating and implementing solutions that support young people in building resilience, developing social skills, and strengthening their role in shaping the future of their communities.
IDEA
Education Agency for Development and Innovation IDEA not-for-profit: “Our mission is to enable personal and professional development”. We are a not-for-profit company aiming at career consultancy in regard to enhancing employability potential and equalizing professional opportunities for young people, especially those from unfavourable areas. Our company focuses mainly on youth but not only. We also engage in narrowing social gaps, e.g. increasing involvement of the elderly in the society.
IDEA aims to fight youth unemployment and to foster social inclusion. We want to meet the growing demand for transversal skills such as critical and innovation thinking, entrepreneurial mind-set and creativity by current employers. Additionally, we are engaging in non-formal education projects and would like to increase the general public’s awareness in the field of lifelong learning. In 2021 IDEA became an official Regional EuroDesk Point in Poland. It is one of only two EuroDesk points in the region.
Our aims:
1. promoting innovative educational practices,
2. spreading the idea of lifelong learning and promoting non-formal and informal education,
3. fulfilling tasks in the field of continuing education of children, youth and adults from various subjects and in various forms,
4. encouraging personal, professional and social development aimed at equalizing social and educational opportunities,
5. creating conditions for learning through experience, including the creation of apprenticeship places both in the office and in the field, which could help in developing personal skills and the acquisition of new competence.
Our mission:
1. Encouraging personal, professional, and social development aimed at equalizing social and educational opportunities.
2. Creating conditions for learning through experience, including the creation of apprenticeship places both in the office and in the field, which could help in developing personal skills and the acquisition of new competences.
TANDEM Plus
Tandem Plus represents a network of non-profit organisation both public and private that has been funded in 2008. The organisation belonging to the network come from 14 EU countries (FR, IT, DE, GR, BE, PT, HR, TR, AU, IE, PL, CY, RO, ES). The mission of Tandem Plus is to promote activities aiming at social, political and economic inclusion of disadvantaged and young people. Tandem Plus is also pursuing principles of social cohesion and access to employment for all.
Tandem Plus is based on the experiences of different countries preoccupied and affected by social exclusion and poverty. It brings together multidisciplinary partners to collectively address this problem by using human, technical and financial means. The organizations belonging to the network share and develop socio-economic dynamics at a multi-territorial scale, by involving, through an organized approach, actors from the economic, political, social, socio-cultural, training and research environment. They establish a multidimensional partnership around the integration of target audiences. The exchange of practices and experimentation allow to strengthen professional practices by appropriating the different integration policies from different countries and to build new means of action.
Quality Culture
Quality Culture is a Benefit Corporation which emerged in 2021 as a dynamic force in Milan’s innovation landscape, rapidly establishing itself as a catalyst for social and digital transformation across Europe. As a forward-thinking SME, we have crafted a unique space where technological advancement meets social progress, where every initiative serves as a steppingstone toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
Our mission centers on unlocking human potential and fostering positive social change throughout Europe. We believe in the transformative power of combining digital innovation with social inclusion, working tirelessly to bridge the gaps that prevent talented individuals from reaching their full potential. This commitment manifests in our focus on reducing gender disparities in the Italian job market, promoting environmental sustainability, and creating accessible opportunities for disadvantaged groups.
We approach each project with a deep commitment to our core values: innovation for meaningful impact, empowerment through education, sustainable development aligned with SDGs, gender equality, and inclusive growth. These principles guide our work with various target groups, including young people, unemployed persons, and migrants, ensuring that our initiatives create lasting positive change in communities across Europe.
