Last update: Dec 30, 2025, 17:00, by: Gabriel Brezoiu

[GM04] Inclusion Policy

0.         Scope

The Inclusion Policy aims to ensure that young people with fewer opportunities can fully participate in the organisation’s activities, initiatives and mobility opportunities.

This policy reflects GEYC’s commitment to providing equal access to opportunities regardless of socio-economic, geographical, cultural, or health barriers. By addressing these inequalities, GEYC fosters a more inclusive environment where every young person has the chance to contribute, learn, and benefit from our initiatives. This policy will guide all actions toward increasing participation from marginalised youth, enhancing both personal and collective growth in the GEYC community.

This policy aligns with key European Union frameworks on inclusion and social diversity, including the Erasmus+ Inclusion and Diversity Strategy, the EU Youth Strategy (2019-2027) and the European Pillar of Social Rights, ensuring that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are actively supported and empowered to engage in civic and societal activities.

The policy also recognises the need to adapt activities to the individual needs of participants, thereby aligning with European legislation on equality and non-discrimination.

This inclusion policy applies to all GEYC activities, including local, national, and international opportunities.

Considering GEYC’s thematic portfolios:

Inclusion is a cross-portfolio topic where:

• Youth Empowerment & Sustainability are co-leading the implementation of this policy, principles, measures, and accountability.
• Future Skills are providing tailored interventions, by customising the activities to the needs of the fewer opportunities youth are involved.

Principles and values

Our values are aimed at supporting youths in need within our activities, as follows:

• Ensuring equality and non-discrimination
• Empowering marginalised youth and building a more inclusive community
• Dignity for human rights and inclusion for all

1.        Policy Objectives

Within the framework of this policy, we aim to achieve the following objectives:

• Improved accessibility to national and international projects and activities
• Widely promote diversity and inclusion at a European and national level
• Build a functional support system for youths in the GEYC community

2.        Implementation

Following the inclusion pillar of the Sustainability portfolio, our implementation strategy includes the following steps:

• We have introduced a dedicated section in the GEYC-ID form called “background (fewer opportunities context)” with multiple-choice answers (including all the categories listed at “Definitions”). GEYC Community members can select a category/specify other/select “not applicable” and develop the answer with examples/description of their condition.
• Identifying youth with fewer opportunities based on their GEYC-ID form in the internal restricted database for selection purposes (youth centre events, European mobilities, participation/representation opportunities).
  As a second filter, GEYC can ask for specific information to ensure a qualitative and trustworthy approach towards the selection process of youth with fewer opportunities, such as:

• certificates regarding documented medical problems issued by a medical institution
• supporting documents regarding the family incomes/ personal income/ student grants, and loans
• unemployment certificate (NEET)
• copy of the death certificate, if the youth is an orphan of a parent
• A copy of the court decision, if the parents are divorced
• self-responsible declaration of the applicant that he/she and his/her family have no other income
• The family income for the economic criteria shall not exceed the value of the minimum salary (gross income)/ family member

Note: In case participants cannot provide the previously mentioned documents, GEYC will propose alternative documents that could justify their status. In case of not answering or providing false documents, GEYC might have adequate measures.

• Providing financial and logistical support. For the selected youths with fewer opportunities, GEYC will cover expenses (such as accommodation, transportation, meals, and extra costs that the participant cannot afford on their own) to encourage participation of youth with fewer opportunities.
• Tailoring specifically designed programs to adapt and accommodate the needs of youths with fewer opportunities (including accessibility of venues, use of language, cultural considerations, educational methods, preparations for departure, pre-departure training, daily/constant check-ups during a project/activity, follow-up up and gathering feedback).
• Selected youths with fewer opportunities who benefited from GEYC participation opportunities in a year will be automatically added to a database to ensure the visibility and accountability within the Inclusion Annual Report.
• Promoting the social dimension of EQYP 2.0 within youth organisations will have the purpose of forging inclusive spaces, promoting diversity, equity, and active citizenship, thereby nurturing social cohesion and driving positive societal change, contributing to a more sustainable future.

3.        Roles and responsibilities

GEYC will be responsible for establishing the roles and responsibilities for each part involved in the preparation of participants with fewer opportunities and the implementation of this policy:

• GEYC Staff and Volunteers: will be responsible for ensuring inclusion during the selection process, designing the activity, financially supporting participants in need, and facilitating activities according to the needs of the participants.
• Partner organisations: will collaborate with GEYC on the implementation strategy of this policy on the common projects and will enhance the inclusivity of the activities organised.

To this extent, the following possible measures are envisaged:

Social / Family issues

For participants from large families with limited resources:

• Offering financial support for travel and participation costs, such as covering accommodation/meals/participation fees;

For participants with separated or divorced parents:

• Offering emotional and psychological support through mentoring during activities;

For participants missing one or both parents:

• Assigning a support person as a primary contact and emotional support during an activity;

For participants in foster care:

• Assisting with legal documentation and permissions for travel or participation in European mobility;

Economic difficulties

For participants from low-income families, NEET participants (Not in Employment, Education, or Training):

• Covering fully the participation fee, travel, meals and accommodation costs, to remove financial barriers;
• Offering tailored workshops focusing on employability skills, financial literacy, and career development within our activities.
• Organising group travel arrangements with pre-booked tickets to eliminate additional costs and reduce logistical challenges;

For participants with limited access to digital resources:

• Providing necessary equipment and internet access for online activities, workshops, and group work;
• Offering support for participants unable to engage in online preparatory activities or follow-up tasks due to a lack of digital resources;

Geographical obstacles

For participants from rural or remote areas:

• Providing full travel support, including covering long-distance transportation costs;
• Offering flexible travel options, including a sleeping car bed, meals for the duration of the long-distance travelling;
• Offering online or hybrid participation options for those unable to attend in-person activities due to geographic isolation or poor local transportation;
• Organising regional or local activities, such as the GEYC Caravan and facilitating the youth participation in the area;
• Offering proactive outreach through partnerships with local organisations or schools to share information about the GEYC Community and European Opportunities;

Intercultural challenges / cultural differences

For tackling the language barriers:

• Written content on the projector, shared on mobile, or the flip chart will be used to support automatic translation and understanding;
• Non-formal education methods involving less talking and more movement, outdoors, and sports will be used;
• Basic preparation in English will be provided or accompanied by the supporting organisation and/or the group leader (such as using Duolingo one month before the mobility start);
• For youth workers, a fast course in (business) English could be covered;

For ethnic, cultural or gender  minorities:

• Selecting specially prepared facilitators who are well aware of and respect the diverse cultural backgrounds of participants;
• Organising intercultural dialogue sessions to foster understanding and celebrate diversity, ensuring all participants feel valued and included;
• Creating safe spaces where participants can express their identities freely and without judgment;
• Offering peer support;

Medical/Health issues

For participants whose physical condition does not allow them to carry heavy bags (pregnancy, after surgery, disability, other medical conditions, etc.):

• Exceptionally covering taxi, private car or rideshare;
• Arranging an accompanying person to join them at the bus/train station or airport;
• Covering a checked luggage;

For neurodivergent young people:

• Avoiding crowded spaces and loud activities for a long period of time;
• Creating a safe space at the venue where they can relax, avoid social contact when needed, and have access to a safe and quiet place.
• Having a mental health/safety focal point available onsite 24/7, preferably a psychologist or someone with psychological studies;

For youth with hearing difficulties:

• Providing sign language interpreters during activities, workshops, and presentations (where possible) to ensure they can fully engage and participate;
• Offering written materials (e.g., transcripts, notes, or subtitles) for all verbal presentations or discussions, making content more accessible;
• Ensuring the venue has good acoustics and minimal background noise to create a more comfortable listening environment;
• Organising hands-on activities that focus less on verbal communication, more on visuals;

Educational

To promote digital inclusion:

• Fostering the development of basic digital skills among all participants through crash courses on key digital competencies;
• Including min. 1 session on how to use digital tools for X specific topic (depending on the theme of the project), in all GEYC’s projects;
• Integrating user-friendly digital tools that do not require prior registration, premium accounts, advanced skills or performant devices;
• Alternating offline and digital activities in the sessions, so everyone can get familiar with yet not be overwhelmed by digital tools;
• Ensuring personalised support for those struggling with bringing a digital device by ensuring working teams include a balanced number of devices and having 2-3 spare ones at hand to be used by those in need;
• Ensuring tailored support for those struggling with using a digital device/ a particular digital tool through pairing digitally skilled participants with less skilled, encouraging mentoring and peer-to-peer learning;
• Choosing venues with free WIFI;
• Promoting blended mobilities, encouraging the mix of face-to-face workshops with online training, to accommodate all learning types and needs;

To promote inclusiveness of different educational backgrounds:

• Using games and energisers that are inclusive and promote equity;
• Using different-sized teams for group discussions, to facilitate dialogue that promotes social learning in different ways;
• Using games that promote taking on different perspectives - i.e. role play;
• Using different means of delivering instructions.

4. Monitoring and evaluation

To ensure the effectiveness of the GEYC inclusion policy, the following evaluation  criteria will be included:

• Numbers and statistics: GEYC shall be tracking constantly the number and percentage of youth with fewer opportunities in each program/mobility/activity organised, and will finally collect the data within an annual report with wider statistics in the Inclusion Annual Report. Selected youths with fewer opportunities who benefited from GEYC participation opportunities in a year will be automatically added to a database.
• Diversity in participation: GEYC shall monitor the participation and representation of youth with fewer opportunities and will ensure their appropriate preparation
• Gathering feedback: GEYC shall collect feedback through surveys, focus groups or interviews in order to understand how participants feel about their inclusion, the accessibility of activities, any barriers they still face, and their future perspectives on participation
• Improvements: GEYC shall analyse how the specific measures oriented towards inclusion of youth with fewer opportunities have been implemented (including financial support, accommodation, customised learning methodology, etc) and will propose improvements if needed.  

5.        Conclusion

GEYC reaffirms its strong commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all young people, especially those with fewer opportunities, are empowered to participate fully in our activities and mobility projects. This policy represents our dedication to breaking down barriers and providing equal access, in alignment with European Union principles and regulations, including the Erasmus+ Inclusion and Diversity Strategy.

As part of our ongoing efforts, this policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains responsive to the evolving needs of young people. We will continue to improve our practices, promote inclusivity, and contribute to creating a more inclusive and diverse youth sector. To this extent, we remain aware that some people might be interested in abusing this policy, thus adequate measures need to be put in place in order to ensure the most suitable youth are benefiting from this policy.

We also believe that with a couple of interventions, the young people might be taken out of the exclusion risk, which is also one of the aims of this policy, to stimulate them to become independent and to develop them personally and professionally.