Influence YOUth (I-YOUth) is a 20-month strategic partnership for innovation in the field of Youth aimed at empowering youth and social workers/operators who work with young people at risk of radicalisation, equipping them with efficient instruments and methodologies aimed at fostering critical thinking as well as preventing radicalisation phenomenon.

“Youth radicalisation and the associated use of violence have become a growing issue of concern in Europe and its neighbouring regions. There has been a notable increase in hate speech, incidence of hate crimes and attacks on migrants and refugees, propaganda and violent xenophobia, as well as a rise in religious and political extremism and in terrorist attacks in Europe and its neighbouring regions. All of these emerging concerns have highlighted the need to work with young people in order to identify and address the root causes of extremism and prevent their radicalisation, as well as strengthen young people’s resilience, prevent marginalisation, promote equality, emphasize alternatives and reinforce the cohesion of communities in which they live.”

(Youth Work Against Violent Radicalisation, 2017–Partnership between the European Commission and the Council of Europe in the field of youth). The publication underlined the limited impact of youth work within the wider social, political and economic context, the lack of in-depth understanding of the phenomena of violent radicalisation, and the need for further training and networking as well as the necessity of devising new approaches to working on the topic.

I-YOUth will explore the potential of Non Formal Education combined with Forum Theatre and Critical Thinking Methodologyas a new pedagogical instrument aimed at preventing radicalisation among youth.

The target groups involved in the project will be: Youth workers aged 25+ who work with young people at risk of radicalisation for the Joint Staff; Young people aged 18-25 years old (both locals and migrants) for the Blended Mobility of Young People; Young people aged 13-20 years old (both locals and migrants) for the Local Activities. Youth workers/operators and Trainers for the Local Seminar.