Marginalised voices are frequently invited to the table—but not truly heard. The Erasmus+ project “Beyond Tokenism: Youth Leading Inclusion” was born out of this reality. It aims to move beyond shallow representation and empower young people to shape the systems that affect their lives.
Launched on March 1st, 2025, and coordinated by Udruga Zaželi (Croatia), this 18-month international project brings together partners from Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. Together, we are committed to raising awareness, building tools, and creating long-term change in how youth inclusion is understood and implemented.
Why Does This Project Matter?
Tokenism is the act of making a symbolic effort to be inclusive without real engagement or power-sharing. For young people, this often means being invited to speak or attend an event for the sake of “diversity”—but without any real influence over decisions, structures, or outcomes. Such experiences can reinforce feelings of exclusion, disempowerment, and distrust.
Beyond Tokenism is our response. It’s a movement led by youth and youth organizations that are determined to make inclusion real, meaningful, and lasting.
What Do We Aim to Achieve?
The project sets out five clear objectives:
- Empower youth organizations and teams to identify and challenge tokenism in their practices.
- Raise awareness among young people about tokenism and the importance of genuine diversity.
- Develop digital tools like the Inclusion Index Calculator to help organizations self-assess and grow.
- Create a practical educational guide, offering hands-on methods for youth work.
- Launch the Declaration for Authentic Inclusion, aiming for at least 40 signatories from across Europe.
Who Are the Project Partners?
This initiative is powered by four committed and experienced organizations:
- Udruga Zaželi (Croatia) – Project coordinator with extensive experience in inclusion, especially of persons with disabilities.
- Caribbean Education and Culture Foundation (Netherlands) – Advocates for racial justice and youth empowerment.
- Asociación Pilcrow (Spain) – Experts in developing digital tools for youth and education.
- Youth Power Germany e.V. (Germany) – Specialists in non-formal education and working with migrant youth.
What Will Happen During the Project?
Over the course of 18 months, the project will include:
- The creation of the Inclusion Index Calculator, a self-assessment tool for youth organizations
- Development of interactive online courses and e-learning modules
- A practical toolkit with educational resources for youth educators
- Pilot workshops and learning activities involving young people from diverse backgrounds
- A study visit and an international seminar to share practices and insights
- A public campaign culminating in the Declaration for Authentic Inclusion
Join the Movement
Udruga Zaželi and project partners will regularly update the public via our website and social media channels. We warmly invite all organizations, educators, and young people who believe in building an inclusive society to follow our work, participate in events, and become advocates for real change.
This is more than a project—it’s a call to action. Let’s move beyond tokenism and build a Europe where every young person’s voice is heard, valued, and included.
#BeyondTokenism #YouthInclusion #AuthenticVoices #ErasmusPlus