As a partner in the Empowering Human Dignity of EU and Western Balkans Youth (EHDEU&WBY) project, financed by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, EPOKA University joined six other organizations from Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Albania with a straightforward goal: to give young people from both EU and Western Balkan countries meaningful opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together — regardless of geographic or economic barriers. Looking back across the implementation period from mid-2023 to the end of 2025, we are proud to say that this goal has been met with real, measurable results.

What We Delivered

Close to 40 virtual sessions were implemented across five program strands, engaging approximately 490 participants from all six partner countries. The activities covered youth leadership, human dignity and EU values, critical thinking and media literacy, hybrid project participation, and intercultural dialogue—all delivered online, making them accessible to young people who would otherwise have limited access to international learning experiences.

Every partner brought something distinct to the table, and together we made the program what it became. World Youth Alliance Europe coordinated the project and led advocacy and leadership sessions, drawing on its expertise in connecting young people with EU values and human dignity education. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, BRAVO organized two Winter Academies, providing participants from across the Western Balkans with practical tools in civic engagement and youth leadership.

For EPOKA University, the Critical Thinking and Media Literacy strand represented a key contribution to the project. We designed and delivered four expert seminars covering topics ranging from civic discourse and data privacy to the influence of artificial intelligence on the information we consume daily. Promoted in both Albanian and English and reaching a social media audience of nearly 3,000 people, the sessions extended their impact well beyond their registered participants. AMJE from Spain added a complementary voice to this strand through its own Critical Thinking and Media Literacy event in November 2025, while KVRP from Kosovo hosted two Intercultural Talks sessions, giving participants from all six countries a genuine space for peer dialogue on identity, shared values, and building bridges across borders.

Connecting Virtual and In-Person Realities

A special element of the program was the Hybrid Projects strand, which connected online participants directly to existing in-person events. Young people from six countries joined international conferences and expert presentations virtually, demonstrating that quality intercultural learning does not require physical travel and opening doors for youth who could not otherwise participate. Certified Training Program sessions on Human Dignity and EU values were delivered in small groups of 5–10 participants, ensuring depth of discussion and engagement with topics such as fundamental rights, solidarity, and democratic values.

Impact and Reach

Beyond the session figures, the project generated tangible impact. Participants developed competencies in critical thinking, media literacy, leadership, and intercultural communication—skills directly relevant to civic and professional life. The program maintained its focus on inclusion, with active outreach to young people with fewer opportunities. To amplify its impact beyond direct participants, the consortium produced more than 60 press releases and newsletters during the first reporting period alone, with dissemination continuing into the second period.

EPOKA University is proud to have contributed to this successful Erasmus+ partnership and to have played an active role in promoting critical thinking, media literacy, intercultural dialogue, and European values among young people across the region.