What does it take to build peace in today’s fractured world? This was the guiding question behind “From Piece to Peace”, an Erasmus+ training course that brought together 28 youth workers from seven countries to Tbilisi, Georgia. Among them were four participants from Lithuania, each committed to reshaping their approach to conflict resolution, intercultural dialogue, and emotional resilience.
In an era where polarization and misunderstanding often dominate public discourse, youth workers stand at a critical intersection—bridging generations, cultures, and perspectives. The “From Piece to Peace” project recognized this and sought to equip youth workers with practical tools to promote non-violent communication and foster healing within communities.
Key Objectives and Activities
The training focused on five levels of peace: personal, interpersonal, community, intercultural, and global. Participants explored topics such as:
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Mindfulness and emotional well-being – helping youth workers center themselves before guiding others.
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Non-violent communication – tools to mediate and resolve conflicts constructively.
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Community mapping – identifying sources of local tension and co-designing peace initiatives.
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Global peacebuilding strategies – linking local youth work to global solidarity efforts.
Why This Matters
Peace is not just the absence of war—it is a daily practice. For youth workers supporting young people in vulnerable contexts—whether due to migration, discrimination, or trauma—these skills are critical. As one participant from Lithuania noted, “This training helped me realize that inner peace is not a luxury. It’s a necessity for anyone working in social impact.”
Through shared learning, reflection circles, and artistic expression, the program reinforced that personal transformation is the foundation of community healing.
The Bigger Picture
The course aligns with the EU Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) Agenda, which promotes meaningful youth participation in peacebuilding. By empowering youth workers, the project supports a broader shift toward non-formal, community-based approaches to peace.
From Tbilisi to Local Communities
Participants left not just with tools—but with responsibility. Each youth worker developed an action plan to bring peace initiatives back to their communities. This includes peer workshops, school-based programs, and intercultural events to build bridges across differences.
