In early May, we had the opportunity to participate in an Erasmus+ exchange in Strasbourg as volunteers with YHO. This journey was a remarkable chance to bridge international perspectives and share experiences with passionate youth advocates from Spain, Italy, France, and Türkiye.

The programme focused on youth participation, exploring how we can empower young people to engage in society while analysing the barriers that hold them back in politics, sports, and community life.
Our week was filled with dynamic discussions, workshops, and lectures, enriched by study visits to key political and diplomatic hubs such as the European Parliament and the European Commission. There, we explored European decision-making and mechanisms for youth inclusion. We also visited the Turkish Embassy, which offered a unique diplomatic perspective on international cooperation and youth engagement strategies beyond EU borders.

A major highlight was the peer-to-peer exchange. Together with my colleagues, we shared our specific experiences and insights from our work within the Psychology Students’ Association of Slovenia (DŠPS). Bringing a psychological perspective allowed us to discuss youth engagement not just as a political metric, but as a vital pillar of social belonging and mental well-being.
By comparing notes with international participants, we identified shared challenges and co-designed ideas to make political and social spheres more accessible to youth back home.

This experience was a powerful reminder of how much we can learn when we look beyond our own borders. I left Strasbourg with lasting international connections, fresh ideas, and a renewed commitment to fostering youth empowerment in Slovenia.