EmpowerYouth: Rising Voices Against Harassment
Transforming Young Activists into Change Makers
By Anke Thea Maria Besseling, Founder of E-UNITY and alumna of EWL’s Young Feminist Summer Camp AGORA
Last year, I was privileged to attend the European Women’s Lobby’s Young Feminist Summer Camp AGORA. This inspiring experience significantly impacted my perspective on women’s rights and professional respect. It was here that I first felt genuinely respected in a professional environment and became acutely aware of the daily boundaries crossed against women. Inspired by this experience, my organization, E-UNITY, and I launched ’EmpowerYouth: Rising Voices Against Harassment.’ This youth exchange, funded by Erasmus+, will take place from November 11-18 in Sicily, Italy. We currently seek participants from Bulgaria, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands.
E-UNITY is dedicated to empowering young people, mainly from marginalized groups, in political participation, focusing on migration and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). We aim to create safe, inclusive spaces, promote human rights awareness, and amplify the voices of these young individuals in political decision-making. We aim to engage over 500 young EU residents aged 15-29 by 2026 through transformative projects that foster personal development and improve access to political institutions. By advocating for inclusivity and equal opportunities, we strive for a more equitable and participatory society for all.
The ’EmpowerYouth’ project is not just about creating advocates, but about transforming young activists. It is designed to empower them with essential knowledge and skills, foster cross-cultural understanding, and support the creation and execution of advocacy campaigns against gender-based violence. Our vision is to contribute to a safer and more equal Europe for women, girls, and individuals with uteruses while building a network of dedicated advocates committed to positive change.
Our objectives are clear. We aim to equip young activists (ages 22-30) with the tools to effectively advocate for women’s human rights and gender equality, focusing on addressing gender-based violence. We will deepen participants’ understanding of the Istanbul Convention, women’s human rights, and gender-based violence in Europe, ensuring comprehensive knowledge of relevant legal frameworks and issues. Practical campaign planning, communication, and networking training will enable participants to design and execute impactful advocacy campaigns.
We also emphasize cross-cultural learning, promoting empathy, understanding, and solidarity through cultural exchange and dialogue. This enhances participants’ ability to address gender-based violence from a multicultural perspective. The creation of country-specific advocacy campaigns will combat sexual harassment and gender-based violence, aiming to raise awareness, mobilize communities, and advocate for policy changes.
Our ultimate goal is to promote EU-level advocacy. By designing and implementing a collaborative advocacy campaign at the European level, we aim to influence policy decisions and drive change within the European Union. We are committed to ensuring the sustainability of these efforts by establishing a network of young advocates who will continue their work beyond the project’s duration.
Our methodology is rooted in non-formal learning. Interactive workshops, discussions, and advocacy simulations build knowledge and practical skills. Peer learning through shared experiences fosters collaboration, while hands-on advocacy campaigns provide real-world practice. Experts and guest speakers offer valuable insights, and online platforms enable continuous communication and collaboration. Regular reflection sessions ensure participants assess progress and set personal growth goals, creating an engaging environment for effective learning and advocacy.
The strength of the ’EmpowerYouth’ project lies in the collaboration of participating organizations. These include E-UNITY from the Netherlands, Freeminds in Action from Italy, Bildungsnetzwerk Magdeburg gGmbH from Germany, Asociación EuroMuévete from Spain, and the International Foundation for Y-PEER Development from Bulgaria. Each brings a unique perspective and expertise to the project, enriching the experience for all involved.
If you are a young activist passionate about rising your voice against harassment, join us in Sicily this November. For more information or to participate, please contact us at info@e-unity.nl, check out our Instagram page, or visit our website. Together, we can rise against harassment and build a safer, more inclusive Europe for everyone.
