At the start of the Kaleidoscope project, our partners came together to reflect on our shared responsibility as we implement a project with young Europeans across Austria, Germany, Cyprus, Portugal, Iceland and Ireland.

During a dedicated workshop at the kick-off meeting, we jointly explored what it truly means to work with young people – especially those facing challenges in social inclusion – in a way that is safe, respectful and empowering. We mapped potential risks in our different contexts – from language barriers, trauma and isolation, to xenophobia, irregular migration status, limited access to services, and even practical issues such as transportation or digital safety.

The workshop, led by Rida Arif of EDUCULT, explored practical questions: How do we create spaces where young people feel safe enough to participate – and free enough to opt out? How do we respond if someone discloses harm? What does cultural sensitivity look like in practice? Partners shared concrete ideas: setting common rules at the beginning of each session, ensuring the right to stop an activity at any time, offering anonymous feedback channels, preparing safe referral pathways, practicing active listening, and taking a survivor-centred approach. The workshop made it clear that safety is shaped by everyday decisions in how we communicate, facilitate and respond.

Based on these exchanges, EDUCULT drafted Kaleidoscope’s Youth Protection Policy, which was then feedbacked by all partners before being finalised. The result is a shared framework that reflects both our common values, and our different national realities. It translates principles such as inclusion, informed consent, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity and trauma awareness into practice guidance for our activities.

For a project like Kaleidoscope, where young people are invited to share experiences, creativity and perspectives, trust is everything. Our policy reminds us that meaningful participation can only happen when young people feel respected, heard and protected.