Youth Social Participant in Postnormal Times – Our Experience in Gaziantep

From 10 to 14 November we travelled to Gaziantep, Türkiye, to take part in the Erasmus+ project Youth Social Participant in Postnormal Times. Bildung Nijmegen joined this programme together with young people and youth workers from France, Italy, Lithuania, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Syria, Jordan and Türkiye. It was a truly diverse gathering in which different cultures, histories and personal stories came together. That diversity shaped the heart of the week, because every conversation showed how young people everywhere are searching for their place in a world that is changing faster than ever.

From the very first day there was an open and welcoming atmosphere. Through creative introductions and shared moments, participants quickly felt comfortable enough to speak honestly about their lives and their communities. One person might share how democratic participation looks in their neighbourhood in France, while someone else from Syria explained the challenges young people face in rebuilding their future. These exchanges revealed how unique each context is, but also how similar our hopes are: to be heard, to have impact and to contribute to something meaningful.

The programme invited us to explore what social participation means in these “post-normal” times, in which old certainties no longer hold and new realities appear with great speed. In mixed international groups participants worked on ideas to strengthen youth engagement and to find creative ways for young people to take part in shaping their societies. These discussions were rich and honest, and it was inspiring to see how quickly young people from such different places grew into one collective thinking space.

Besides the deeper reflections, the week offered many practical experiences. We spent time in nature, planted trees, and walked through the green areas around Gaziantep, which helped everyone reflect on sustainability and our collective responsibility for the environment. Gaziantep itself became an important part of the learning process. The city’s history, colours, sounds and hospitality created countless informal moments of connection. Conversations during shared meals or while discovering the old streets often turned out to be just as meaningful as the planned sessions.

For Bildung Nijmegen this project was far more than a training or a mobility. It allowed our young participants to discover how empowering it is to be part of an international community that listens, supports and challenges them. They returned home with new confidence, fresh ideas and friendships that stretch across countries and continents. It was beautiful to witness their growth and the way they stepped into their own strength.

We are deeply grateful to the Bülbülzade Foundation for their warmth, hospitality and professionalism, as well as to all partner organisations who made this journey so valuable. And special thanks to Esma Taş for her professionalism, dedication and warm guidance throughout the entire programme. What happened in Gaziantep continues to live on in the stories we share and the plans we are already shaping for the future. It reminded us once again how powerful real encounters between young people can be, and how much they can inspire change far beyond the duration of a single project.

Youth Social Participant in Postnormal Times

Projectcode: 2024-1-TR01-KA151-YOU-000216555