When the European Youth Foundation was created in 1972, its mission was enshrined in its Statute as “to promote youth co-operation in Europe by providing financial support to such European youth activities as serve the promotion of peace, understanding and co-operation between the people of Europe and of the world, in a spirit of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
This mission remains as relevant and urgent today. On the International Day of Peace, the European Youth Foundation would like to celebrate the efforts of young people in peace education, peace-building and conflict transformation, aware that intercultural learning and human rights education, which are some of the key approaches in the youth projects the EYF supports, can be important and vital elements of positive peace. Recently, due to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many projects supported by the EYF through its Special Call Ukraine have shown the resilience of civil society and youth work in times of war. Check the projects supported through the Special Call Ukraine.
We also want to show our gratitude to all the youth organisations that have made peace their core mission and continue to propose and organise projects on this topic in different part of our continent and at global level.
Check out below some of the EYF-supported projects that tackle this topic:
- Local project “Art, Youth and a Shared Path to Peace”
Implemented by Opera Circus in the United Kingdom
This 10-day cultural exchange in Bridport and London brought together Ukrainian and British youth for a series of artistic workshops, educational trainings, and cultural activities, fostering friendships, self-care, and providing a safe space for young Ukrainians. In London, visits to the House of Commons and universities included seminars on democracy, peace, and trauma care, with Ukrainians sharing their stories and promoting Lviv as European Youth Capital 2025. The project contributed to building participants’ confidence, leadership and advocacy skills, and promoting creative self-expression, while encouraging dialogue and solidarity. Follow-up initiatives are already underway, including Ukrainian participants joining further training in Lviv.
- International project “Federalist Peace Forum”
Implemented by the Young European Federalists Germany
The project brought together participants from the Palestinian territories, Israel, and various European countries to collaboratively explore solutions to the Middle East conflict through a federalist lens. Building on an existing network of politically engaged youth in federalist organisations, the project ensured preparatory online seminars and culminated in a four-day workshop on Italy’s Ventotene island — a symbolic site for federalist thought. There, participants engaged in interactive workshops, lectures, and cultural exchanges, where they discussed lived experiences and co-developed peacebuilding strategies aimed at fostering “positive peace” beyond politics. Ultimately, the project seeks to lay the groundwork for a youth-led, democratic peace movement across the region.
Check-out a short TV interview about the project: Instagram and some of their outcomes.
- Local project “Youth Peace Camp Moldova”
Implemented by the "MilleniuM" Training and Development Institute in the Republic of Moldova
The project aimed to empower young people from youth organisations, local youth councils, youth centres or youth initiatives and Ukrainian refugees from different regions of Moldova to become multipliers of peacebuilding, cohesion and conflict transformation through a five day summer camp. This was followed by local actions from the participants – as Ambassadors of Peace – and culminating in a Peace Fest – a closing event showcasing the achievements and results of the project.
- Annual work plan “Frame the Future: Youth-Inclusive Peacebuilding”
Implemented by the World Student Christian Federation in Europe (WSCF-E)
The annual work plan targets and involves young activists and leaders in Student Christian Movements and civil society aged 18-30, and youth workers engaged in conflict prevention, peace processes, and transformation of their local communities.
While keeping a global approach, the program focuses on understanding conflict and peace in recent and current European history by highlighting the significance of peace to young people: as peace advocates, as survivors of situations of unpeace, and as peacebuilders.
- Local project “Ukrainian young peace builders”
Implemented by the NGO Non-formal education for youth (Ukraine)
This project equipped young people in Ukraine with nonviolent communication and conflict transformation skills through a five-day camp on peace building and human rights. The programme was designed to support young people to develop the competencies to navigate their current situation in the context of the war in Ukraine.
- International project “Peace Communicators”
Implemented by the International Falcon Movement Socialist Education International (IFM – SEI)
This was a one-year long project that created space for young people to develop skills, attitudes, values, and knowledge to build sustainable, just, and supportive societies. Participants in the three main activities of the project developed their understanding about peace and peace education, learnt new techniques of peace education to apply in youth work, and got empowered to be multipliers of inclusion. The project allowed IFM – SEI to re-connect with its roots as an international organisation, and address the stigma, hate and violence that have been growing during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore the detrimental effects conflicts have on children and young people.
The project led to the creation of a “Starter Kit” for peace education (available in English, French and Spanish) and a series of animated videos useful for multipliers. The resources can be found at the project page.