Blogs. Dissemination. Stories
When the war in Ukraine displaced millions of families, Poland became both a refuge and a new challenge. For hundreds of thousands of young people who crossed the border, safety was only the beginning. They had to rebuild their identity, community, and confidence in a country that felt unfamiliar.
In Croatia, a group of high school students from Josip Slavenski Čakovec High School in Čakovec saw an opportunity to bridge generations and build community resilience. As part of the UPSHIFT social-entrepreneurship programme (run by UNICEF Croatia within the larger ZABUM initiative) they designed a project called “Grandchildren’s Club Čakovec.”
Watch the recording of our YOUTH BUILD webinar on resilience, mental health and the ASSESS–BUILD–LEAD framework for supporting vulnerable youth.
YOUTH BUILD held its 2nd webinar on 12 August, focusing on resilience, mental health, safe adults and the ASSESS–BUILD–LEAD framework for youth empowerment.
Over 20 trainers and youth learners from across Europe joined the first YOUTH BUILD webinar on 30 July 2025 to explore resilience tools and youth challenges.
YOUTH BUILD partners met on July 17 in Poland for the final evaluation meeting, reviewing project results, piloting feedback and planning long-term use of resilience tools.
The YOUTH BUILD project successfully completed its piloting phase, with over 30 youth workers across Europe testing the Resilience Assessment Compass and Strengths-Based Coaching Cards. The tools proved practical, youth-friendly and effective for building trust, emotional expression and resilience, while feedback is shaping final improvements.
Each of these young people – the students on Hiiumaa, the young man finding independence, and the boxer and his mentor – show that resilience is built in connection with others. It is not something that grows in isolation. It grows when people are seen, trusted, and encouraged.
Discover the new leaflet on how to use Strengths-Based Resilience Coaching Cards in youth work. Learn how these cards help open conversations, focus on strengths, build trust and empower young people to understand themselves and take action.
Discover the Resilience Assessment Compass – a practical tool designed for youth and youth workers to assess resilience, support emotional growth and build stronger, more connected youth communities. Learn how this tool helps young people feel heard, supported and understood.
The YOUTH BUILD project completed focus groups in Estonia, Croatia and Poland to co-create methodologies for resilience tools, coaching cards and youth empowerment.
The YOUTH BUILD project has entered the methodology design phase, where partners are creating the framework for key outputs including the Resilience Assessment Compass, Strengths-Based Coaching Cards, and Resilience Champions digital platform. Through co-design, ethical guidelines, and focus groups with youth and youth workers, the project ensures all tools are practical, inclusive, and based on real needs.
The YOUTH BUILD project officially launched in Estonia on 24 October 2023, bringing together international partners to strengthen the psychosocial resilience of vulnerable youth. The meeting focused on project goals, partner roles, and early steps such as creating the Resilience Assessment Compass, coaching tools, and a digital platform. Funded by Erasmus+, the initiative empowers young people by promoting emotional well-being, self-esteem, and inclusive support systems.
