L.A.B.E.R.Y. - Literature as a Bridge: Empowering Youth Workers for Reconciliation, Conflict Prevention, and Promotion of EU Values

The project's focus is to enable youth workers to employ diverse approaches when engaging with youth, emphasizing multiple perspectives on different social communities and their values through the analysis of European and world literature. This analysis will explore how these values align or contrast with the national and cultural identities of youth in various ex-Yugoslav countries.

Additionally, we aim to stimulate youth and the general public to contemplate and exchange insights on the contemporary status and role of young people in society. Our project is conceived as a response to the ongoing global conflicts and the enduring challenges of post-conflict recovery that continue to affect the ex-Yugoslav countries. The youth in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Slovenia are particularly vulnerable, as they inherit the transgenerational biases, stereotypes, and social norms rooted in the Yugoslav wars and subsequent conflicts. These inherited narratives shape their interactions and perspectives, often leading to divisions that are further complicated by current global and political influences

The Objectives of the Project:

1. To create a comprehensive training program for youth workers that incorporates literature-based and storytelling
   methods, enabling them to address issues of peace, non-violence, and conflict prevention.
2. To develop a curriculum that is inclusive and adaptable, accommodating diverse learning styles and personal
   experiences, while acknowledging the intersectionality of youth identities.
3. To establish a network of trained youth workers who can implement the learned techniques in their local communities, thereby amplifying the project's impact.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Youth workers who are adept at using literature-based and storytelling methods to address complex themes of peace and conflict.
2. Young people in local communities who are better equipped to understand and engage with the complex history of their region and the broader European context through literary exploration.
3. Communities that benefit from the enhanced skills of youth workers and the promotion of EU values through literature and storytelling, contributing to a more peaceful and cohesive society.