Between 22 and 31 August 2025, the mountain town of Bușteni, Romania, became the center of an important international initiative under the Erasmus+ project Differences Challenge Assumptions (DCA). The training course, titled “Diversity, Intersectionality and Narratives”, brought together youth workers and civil society representatives from across Europe and neighboring regions, all united by the mission to promote inclusion, challenge biased perspectives, and strengthen intercultural understanding.
The training was designed as the first major step in the long-term DCA project, whose primary goal is to increase the capacity of the youth work sector to critically analyze and shift negative biases about diversity in mainstream narratives and cultural paradigms.
More specifically, the course sought to:
Guided by experienced facilitators, the training followed the principles of non-formal education and experiential learning. Daily sessions combined theoretical input with interactive exercises, group discussions, role plays, and case studies, allowing participants to explore concepts through lived experiences and practical application.
Each day included structured learning blocks, personal reflection sessions, and opportunities for intercultural exchange. This dynamic approach created a safe space for open dialogue, where participants could critically analyze not only societal paradigms but also their own assumptions and perspectives.
The course took place at Cabana Gura Diham, located within the Bucegi National Park. Surrounded by nature, the setting provided an ideal environment for focused learning and intercultural exchange. Beyond formal sessions, participants engaged in self-organised evening activities and cultural sharing moments, further strengthening the bonds within the international group.
Sustainability was also a guiding principle throughout the event. From the use of recyclable materials to reducing unnecessary waste and promoting refillable water bottles, the organisers highlighted the importance of environmentally conscious practices in youth work activities.
The Romanian training was not only a stand-alone event but also a crucial starting point for the broader DCA project. The knowledge and skills acquired will directly contribute to the next phases, including country-based research on how diversity is portrayed in public discourse and media, as well as the development of innovative educational tools to challenge biased narratives.
Participants will now return to their local communities with the responsibility of conducting research, engaging young people in awareness-raising activities, and contributing to the collective outputs of the project. In the longer term, the DCA consortium aims to establish a strong network of trained professionals able to influence local, national, and regional practices in the field of diversity and social inclusion.
The Bușteni training marked an important success for the DCA project and reaffirmed the power of international cooperation in addressing deeply rooted social challenges. By bringing together passionate youth workers from diverse backgrounds, the course created not only a meaningful learning experience but also a shared commitment to building more inclusive and fair societies.
As the project continues, the outcomes of this first training will serve as the cornerstone for future actions, ensuring that the work initiated in Romania will have long-lasting impact across all partner countries and beyond.
The consortium is comprised of: Teatro Metaphora (Portugal), the partnership includes A.R.T. Fusion (Romania), SNRDIMU (Poland), Have A Dream (Egypt), Jordan Youth Innovation Forum – JYIF (Jordan), EuroMed EVE (Tunisia), and the Moroccan Family Forum – MFF (Morocco).
