Halan we Grow!
Four CSOs working with youth in the Southern Mediterranean (Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon and Tunisia) face interconnected challenges including conflict and instability, weak governance, migration and brain drain, unemployment, school drop-out, and climate change. These factors hinder local development, reduce young people’s self-esteem and trust and deepen social polarisation across socio-economic, urban and rural groups. Limited trust in institutions and future prospects further weakens collaboration, highlighting the need for new approaches to engage, connect and empower young people.
In response, Halan We Grow brings together four Southern Mediterranean CSOs and two EU-based organisations—LUMEN (Croatia) and MasterPeace (Netherlands)—to co-create innovative non-formal education (NFE) tools. The project aligns with its main objective of strengthening the quality, capacity, and recognition of youth work through international cooperation and innovative NFE methodologies, with a focus on young women and minority groups in remote areas.
Key objectives include developing a scalable digital portfolio of NFE materials addressing social inclusion, environmental challenges and social entrepreneurship; training youth workers and CSOs in blended growth mindset and 21st-century skills; and building competencies in Artivism, Doughnut Economy, and Social Entrepreneurship. Materials will be shared via the Halan We Grow e-learning platform, bootcamps, and webinars, generating at least 20 information requests, with 50% expected to lead to implementation.
The project aims to build a collaborative ecosystem of CSOs, young people, communities, and institutions to accelerate sustainable change. The Growth Mindset Summit will serve as a key local milestone, resulting in cooperation agreements with education, business, and municipal stakeholders and supported by local media.
Halan We Grow on Jamaity Academy: https://jamaityacademy.com/profile/halan/?view=instructor
21st Century Carousel – Building Skills for Today’s World
The 21st Century Carousel is an educational initiative developed within the Halan We Grow project, bringing together young people and youth workers from the European Union and the MENA region. The program focuses on strengthening essential 21st-century skills through interactive, non-formal learning methods rooted in EU values such as democracy, human rights, equality, freedom of speech, and human dignity 21st century ENG (1).
In a rapidly changing digital and social environment, young people need more than technical knowledge. They need critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, innovation, and social responsibility. The Carousel addresses these needs through a series of thematic workshops designed to connect practical skills with real-life civic challenges 21st century ENG (1).
Participants explored Digital and Media Literacy & AI, learning about digital ethics, misinformation, privacy, and online well-being. In the Creativity workshop, they connected self-expression with human dignity and inclusion. The Social Responsibility session focused on media pluralism, equality, and the rule of law. Through Innovation Skills, participants examined how new tools and approaches can strengthen civil society and human rights. Finally, Collaboration & Co-Creation highlighted democratic participation, shared decision-making, and teamwork 21st century ENG (1).
Using experiential learning, dialogue, case studies, and reflection, the 21st Century Carousel empowers young people to become active, informed, and responsible change-makers in their communities.
The publication captures the methodology, workshop structure, and learning outcomes, serving as a practical resource for youth workers, educators, and civil society organisations committed to strengthening civic engagement and democratic values across regions
