Building Bridges for Inclusion in Finland in 2025.

Emotional skills, intercultural understanding, and recognising discrimination

9.9.2025
Anita Kirvesniemi

The second workshop of the Building Bridges for Inclusion project was held in Finland at the end of May. Thirty youth work professionals and volunteers from the YMCAS in Finland, Lebanon, Greece, and Romania participated in the Erasmus partnership project event.

The aim of the Building Bridges for Inclusion project is to enhance the skills of youth workers and volunteers and to develop approaches for engaging with and supporting vulnerable young people. Each of the four partner countries shares its own operational models and specialised expertise through workshops and a collaboratively assembled resource bank.

Learning, reflection, and togetherness

The Finnish workshop explored themes of inclusion and emotional skills through discussions, exercises, and sharing experiences. The week started at the Korpirauha camp centre in Siuntio, where team-building activities established an open and trusting environment.

During the week, the participants discussed emotional skills, intercultural understanding, and recognising prejudice, structural racism, and discrimination. Exercises related to these topics provided the participants with practical tools they can apply in their work with young people across different countries. Alongside the intensive programme, there was also time for relaxation. Participants experienced the best of Finnish culture by sampling traditional foods, enjoying the sauna, and spending time in nature.

Building Bridges for Inclusion camp in Finland in 2025.

The atmosphere of the World Village Festival caught on with the campers

Towards the end of the week, the group travelled to Helsinki, where the World Village Festival provided an opportunity to meet local YMCA professionals and be part of a lively festival community. The camp participants engaged with the YMCA’s Peace & Sports area and assisted at the Yökoris / Midnight Basketball and global education activity points.

Lebanese representatives Mireille Abi Khalil and Razane Alzein spoke at YMCA Finland’s ’Resilient, more resilient, Lebanese youth’ Speaker Programme about how young people have survived humanitarian crises and fostered community spirit and hope during the most challenging times. The panel emphasised the importance of youth agency and how their participation can support the resilience of both individuals and communities during crises.

Two participants from the Erasmus group also took part in the Making Youth Dream Again panel at the festival, which discussed young people’s dreams and future. The panel was led by the CultureMix working group at the Tampere YMCA. The discussion focused on topics such as the impact of social media on young people’s dreams, accepting experiences of uncertainty, supporting mental health, and young people’s opportunities to influence society.

Working together towards a more inclusive world

According to the feedback survey, participants appreciated the warm atmosphere, the diverse exercises, and the chance to learn from one another. Many described the camp as a unique experience that not only equipped them with tools for their own work but also fostered new friendships and perspectives.

The camp was a fantastic experience overall, as we had the chance to collaborate and exchange ideas with many different people. All the volunteers and national group leaders were more than happy with the camp and the opportunity to take part in the activities.

The Building Bridges for Inclusion project will run until the end of 2026. The next workshop is scheduled to take place in Greece in December 2025. As the project advances, the YMCAs and participants will strengthen their cooperation and shared aim of promoting more inclusive youth work across national borders.

The project is funded by the European Union. The European Union or the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is not responsible for the content of this publication.