MovingON Project Launch: Empowering Youth in Cascais

The MovingON – From Conflict to Participation project (Project No: 101246228) has officially begun! On January 8th and 9th, 2026, the transnational consortium gathered in the beautiful coastal city of Cascais, Portugal, for a high-energy Kick-off Meeting (KOM) that sets the stage for a transformative two-year journey.

A Strong Foundation: Old Friends and New Partners

This Erasmus+ KA3 – European Youth Together initiative represents a powerful evolution. The consortium brings together experienced organizations that previously collaborated on the “The VOICE Action” project, now joined by new partners who bring fresh expertise and perspectives.

Hosted by Municipio de Cascais, the meeting allowed the partners to align their visions for supporting justice-involved and at-risk youth across Europe.

Shaping the Path Forward

Over the two-day meeting, partners engaged in intensive sessions to map out the project’s Work Packages (WPs). From the participatory evaluation to the hands-on youth engagement strategies, every objective was scrutinized to ensure maximum impact.

Key highlights of the discussion included:

• Youth Leadership & Training: Planning tailor-made training on EU values and the EU Youth Goals.
• Restorative Justice: Integrating participatory approaches that bridge the gap between vulnerable youth and decision-makers.
• Innovative Methodology: A deep dive into the VideoVoice methodology (led by A Rocca), which will empower young people to document their own realities and advocate for policy change through visual storytelling.

Strengthening the European Network

Beyond technical planning, the Cascais meeting was a vital moment for “team building.” The atmosphere was defined by transparency, shared responsibility, and a common passion for social inclusion.

As a project co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme, MovingON aims to reach at least 70 justice-involved youth and facilitate “Circles of Dialogue” that will eventually lead to concrete policy recommendations for juvenile justice at the European level.

What’s Next?

With the strategic foundations firmly established in Cascais, the consortium has moved swiftly into the implementation phase. Across our partner countries—Portugal, Italy, Romania, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands—local teams are already working on the ground to identify and engage the young participants who will lead this journey.

The coming months will be dedicated to the first “Circles of Dialogue” and the launch of our VideoVoice workshops. These sessions will provide the tools and training necessary for youth to begin documenting their experiences and perspectives. We are also excited to announce that our official communication channels are now active; stay tuned to our website and social media for exclusive “behind-the-scenes” content, project milestones, and the powerful stories of change emerging from our local communities.