Co-Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
The Coeur Courage Project is a 22-month initiative supported by the European Union, designed to strengthen the personal and collective capacities of partner organizations and their teams. Its main goal is to empower and involve young people as active citizens by enhancing the skills of those who work with them. Through focused capacity-building in education, training, and youth work, the project engages 4 civil society organizations (CSOs), 16 trainers, 36 youth workers, and 80 young participants.
​
The project’s key achievements will include the development of organizational strategies grounded in the personal and professional aspirations of team members—articulated through individual growth plans—and the creation of non-formal education (NFE) resources on Values, Artivism, Doughnut Economics, and Social Entrepreneurship, all translated into seven European languages.
​
By fostering the growth of educators—teachers, trainers, and youth workers—Coeur Courage seeks to make them agents of change in their local communities, cities, and regions. The initiative’s local impact will be visible through 26 community projects, 4 international relays, and 4 major gatherings called Great Minds Meetings.
​
Overall, the project focuses on building trust, competencies, and collaboration within teams, while equipping CSOs with fresh perspectives and stronger networks. Its communication and dissemination strategy—including stories, newsletters, and continuous updates—will ensure that the project’s learning, inspiration, and results reach a broad and lasting audience across Europe.
.png)
Post nr.1 - Getting started
We are delighted to announce our cooperation with our partners from the Netherlands, Romania, and Poland within the Coeur Courage Project. This collaboration represents a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences, expertise, and creative approaches in youth work, education, and civic engagement across Europe.
​
Working together with partners from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds strengthens the European dimension of the project and ensures that our methods and materials reflect inclusive, innovative, and context-sensitive perspectives. Each partner brings unique strengths—from community empowerment and non-formal education to social entrepreneurship and sustainable development—that enrich the collective learning process.
​
This cooperation is not only a partnership between organizations but also a shared commitment to empowering young people as active citizens and changemakers. By combining our knowledge, networks, and enthusiasm, we aim to build a stronger, more connected Europe—one where educators and youth workers inspire transformation in their communities and beyond.
Post nr.2 - Coeur Courage in Action
In a world marked by challenges, we're excited to share the ongoing strides of our impactful project, "Coeur Courage." This initiative is at the forefront of a transformative journey, redefining education, empowering youth and championing social inclusion.
Courage in Unprecedented Times:
Inspired by the French word for heart, "coeur," our project serves as a testament to the power of courage during times of unparalleled challenges. Courage becomes more than a mere virtue; it becomes the driving force that propels us beyond our comfort zones.
A Continuous Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity: At the heart of "Coeur Courage" lies an unwavering belief in the world's 7 billion talents. We remain dedicated to fostering social and economic resilience through projects that celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Empowering Youth Across Borders: With a specific focus on active citizenship and youth entrepreneurship, "Coeur Courage" continues to empower young minds with the tools needed to navigate the complexities of our society.
Innovation as a Guiding Principle: Far beyond a roadmap, our project is an ongoing exploration toward the next level of impact. "Coeur Courage" continues to embrace innovative methodologies, leveraging the transformative power of arts for social change, cross-cultural dynamics and the revolutionary Doughnut Economy 2.0.
Global Collaboration and Tech Integration: In collaboration with global partners, including Ubiquity University, "Coeur Courage" aligns globally while acting locally. Integration of Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) and cutting-edge AI technologies remains a cornerstone, pushing the boundaries of conventional approaches.
Tackling Critical Needs Head-On: From financial security to the underestimation of youth workers, "Coeur Courage" confronts identified needs with targeted training methodologies. Language proficiency and key competencies remain central, maintaining trusted relationships with the youth we aim to empower.
Addressing Ongoing Global Challenges: As the EU grapples with an increasing number of refugees, "Coeur Courage" positions itself to understand and address multicultural diversity, geopolitical instability, and the impacts of climate change on migration.
​
Continuing the Journey of Courage: "Coeur Courage" is an ongoing call to embrace courage in our daily lives. Join us as we navigate the intersection of passion, heart and courage to create lasting change. Stay connected for updates, inspiring stories and the unfolding chapters of "Coeur Courage."
Post nr.3 - From Values to Vision:
Personal and Team Coaching Across Europe
The Personal and Team Coaching phase of the Coeur Courage project is where the journey of transformation truly begins. Across the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland, partner organizations are engaging in reflective coaching sessions that help team members discover their personal motivations, talents, and aspirations. Each participant is developing a Personal Passion Plan – a tailored roadmap that connects their individual values and professional goals with the wider mission of their organization.
​
These sessions go beyond technical skills; they strengthen emotional intelligence, leadership, and trust within each team. Through open dialogue and peer support, participants are encouraged to reflect on how they can contribute more meaningfully to their communities and act as changemakers. The process creates a space for honest sharing, empathy, and renewed energy within civil society organizations (CSOs).
​
Coaching is also about connection – building relationships that extend across borders and inspire collaboration among partners. As one youth worker from Slovakia shared: “This project helped me see that courage starts from within. When we know our values, we can inspire others with confidence and clarity.”
By investing in personal growth and collective reflection, the Coeur Courage project lays the foundation for stronger, more resilient teams ready to lead with heart.
Post nr.4 - Behind the Scenes:
Developing Non-Formal Education Materials for a New Generation
In the Coeur Courage project, creativity meets purpose through the development of four innovative Non-Formal Education (NFE) methodologies designed to inspire, include, and empower young people. During Work Package 2.2, partners from the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland are co-creating blended learning materials that combine online and face-to-face approaches, ensuring accessibility and engagement for learners of all backgrounds.
The four key learning tracks—Values and Talents, Artivism, Doughnut Economics, and Social Entrepreneurship—address both the personal and societal dimensions of youth empowerment. Values and Talents helps participants explore self-awareness, motivation, and teamwork. Artivism uses art as a tool for social change, encouraging creative expression on issues such as inclusion, equality, and sustainability. Doughnut Economics, developed in collaboration with the Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL), invites young people to rethink prosperity through ecological and social balance, showing how communities can thrive within planetary boundaries. Finally, Social Entrepreneurship empowers youth to turn ideas into impactful ventures that address local needs while building economic resilience.
​
Through blended learning, youth workers can adapt the materials to diverse learning contexts—schools, youth centers, and community spaces—bridging digital tools with personal interaction. This flexibility allows participants to learn at their own pace, collaborate online, and apply concepts in real life.
By developing these methodologies together, the Coeur Courage consortium is equipping educators and youth workers with creative, relevant tools that transform learning into action—and help a new generation lead with both heart and courage.
Post nr.5 - Align Global, Act Local:
Bringing World Ideas to Our Communities
The Coeur Courage project believes that meaningful change happens when global knowledge meets local action. In Work Package 2.3 – Align Global, Act Local, partners from the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland are connecting with international experts to bring innovative ideas and digital tools into their community work. This collaboration empowers youth workers to act as bridges between global innovation and local realities.
Three outstanding global partners are contributing their expertise. The Doughnut Economics Action Lab (DEAL) guides the creation of inspiring City Portraits, helping each community visualize what it means to thrive within the planet’s social and ecological limits. This approach connects young people, municipalities, and civil society organizations around shared goals of inclusion and sustainability.
​
Ubiquity University enriches the project through its online learning platform, offering Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on Transformational Leadership, Strategy, and Governance. These courses strengthen the personal and professional competencies of youth workers, ensuring they lead with clarity and confidence.
Meanwhile, Forward43 introduces a pioneering Artificial Intelligence tool that matches local social challenges with successful global innovations. This AI-driven “matchmaking” helps communities identify practical, proven solutions from around the world.
​
Through this powerful combination of learning, innovation, and global cooperation, Coeur Courage partners are transforming their cities into laboratories of change—where ideas cross borders, and local youth workers gain the courage, skills, and vision to build thriving, sustainable, and connected communities.
Post nr.6- Training the Trainers:
Building Skills That Inspire Courage
The Train-the-Trainer phase of the Coeur Courage project transformed learning into leadership. Youth workers, teachers, and trainers from the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland gathered to strengthen their ability to guide others using the four Non-Formal Education (NFE) methodologies—Values and Talents, Artivism, Doughnut Economics, and Social Entrepreneurship.
During these dynamic sessions, participants explored how to combine blended learning, creative facilitation, and reflective practice to inspire young people. They practiced designing sessions that merge digital tools with personal interaction, helping learners connect knowledge with real-life challenges in their communities. The focus was on developing both practical skills and emotional intelligence—training educators to teach with heart, empathy, and courage.
The atmosphere was one of curiosity, collaboration, and shared purpose. A participant from Romania noted, “This training showed me how to transform theory into real action and guide young people to discover their own power.” From Poland, another participant added, “We didn’t just learn methods—we built a community of courageous educators.”
A youth worker from the Netherlands reflected, “It was empowering to see how our ideas could inspire others across borders. Every conversation opened new perspectives.” And from Slovakia, a trainer shared, “I realized that courage in education starts with trust—trust in ourselves, our learners, and the process of growth.”
Together, they are shaping a new generation of educators ready to lead with vision, compassion, and impact.
Post nr.7- AI for Social Change:
Matching Local Needs with Global Innovations
In the Coeur Courage project, technology becomes a bridge between communities and solutions. Through the partnership with Forward43, youth workers and civil society organizations from the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be used to address pressing social and environmental challenges.
The Forward43 AI matchmaking tool scans global innovation databases to connect local issues with existing best practices worldwide. During this phase, teams identified 20 innovative ideas tailored to their contexts—ranging from youth inclusion programs and circular economy initiatives to sustainable urban mobility and green community entrepreneurship. These insights not only inspire new local projects but also demonstrate how digital tools can accelerate collaboration and creativity.
Participants were impressed by how the AI process made global knowledge instantly relevant. A youth worker from Poland shared, “The AI search helped us find real projects that work—solutions we can adapt, not just admire.” From Slovakia, another added, “It showed us that our local challenges are shared by others across the world, and that gives us hope and perspective.”
A participant from Romania reflected, “Using AI in youth work was a completely new experience for us. It opened our eyes to global innovation and showed how technology can support empathy and inclusion.”
As one Dutch participant concluded, “AI didn’t replace human creativity—it expanded it.”
By combining innovation, empathy, and digital intelligence, Coeur Courage demonstrates that AI for social change is not about machines leading people, but about people using technology to lead meaningful transformation.
Post nr.8- Piloting Activities:
Turning Ideas into Action through Coeur Courage
The Coeur Courage project has entered one of its most exciting phases — the piloting of Non-Formal Education (NFE) activities across our partner countries: the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, and Poland. After months of co-creation and training, our teams are now testing the four innovative learning methodologies developed in the project — Coeur Courage (Values & Talents), Artivism, Doughnut Economics, and Social Entrepreneurship — directly with youth workers, educators, and young people.
​
💫 Coeur Courage focuses on self-awareness and teamwork, helping participants discover their values, talents, and passions to strengthen leadership and collaboration.
🎠Artivism turns creativity into social action — using art, theatre, and visual storytelling to promote inclusion, peace, and environmental awareness.
🌱 Doughnut Economics, inspired by the model of thriving within planetary boundaries, teaches how communities can balance social well-being with sustainability.
💼 Social Entrepreneurship empowers young people to design innovative solutions that address local challenges while creating jobs and impact.
​
These piloting sessions are not just workshops — they are living laboratories of change, where youth workers test, adapt, and refine new educational tools. As one Slovak participant shared, “It’s powerful to see ideas come alive through action — this is what learning with courage truly means.”
Together, we are proving that when education connects the heart, creativity, and innovation, real transformation begins.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Post nr.9- A Story of Courage and Connection
When young youth workers joined the Coeur Courage project, they didn’t imagine how much the experience would transform their way of thinking — about themselves, their work, and their community.
“At first, we came to learn new educational methods,” they shared, “but we ended up discovering what truly matters to us and how we can inspire others.”
Through the Coeur Courage module on Values and Talents, they created a Personal Passion Plan, reflecting on personal strengths and purpose. During the Artivism training, they turned their love for music into a creative workshop that encouraged young people to express ideas about inclusion and respect through art.
Learning about Doughnut Economics brought another revelation — “It showed me how we can live and grow without harming our planet or leaving anyone behind.” one of them said.
Inspired by the project, they started a small community initiative that brings together local and displaced youth to create pieces of art symbolizing unity and hope.
“This project gave us the courage to act,” they said. “We learned that leadership isn’t about standing above others — it’s about standing with them.”
Project outcomes
Following Non-Formal Education (NFE) materials are created within the EU Co-Funded project “Coeur Courage”.
Youth workers, educators, CSOs, and youngsters interested in sustainable development, inclusion, and social innovation are free to use them for educational purposes.
