22–26 June 2026 | The Hague, The Netherlands
How can young people become active contributors to their communities? How can intercultural dialogue inspire democratic participation and social inclusion?
These were some of the questions at the heart of the MovingON Youth Mobility, hosted by Stichting 180 in The Hague from 22 to 26 June 2026. Bringing together 22 young participants, 10 group leaders and 2 hosts from across Europe, the mobility offered a unique opportunity to explore democracy, participation, European cooperation and intercultural exchange through non-formal education.
Throughout the week, participants discovered that democracy is not only something discussed in institutions, but something that is lived every day through dialogue, collaboration and community engagement. By meeting peers from different cultural backgrounds, sharing experiences and stepping outside their comfort zones, they strengthened not only their intercultural competences but also their confidence to become active members of their local communities.
Learning democracy through experience
The programme combined educational workshops with creative and experiential learning, making complex topics accessible, engaging and relevant for young people.
One of the key sessions, “Everything is Politics”, facilitated by Telissa Schreuder, encouraged participants to reflect on how everyday choices influence society and how young people can contribute to positive change in their own communities.
The group also visited the iconic Peace Palace, where they reflected on the importance of peace, justice and international cooperation. At a time when peace is an increasingly relevant topic across Europe and beyond, the visit offered an inspiring opportunity to connect European values with current global challenges and encouraged participants to think about their own role in promoting dialogue and peaceful societies.
Another memorable experience was the spoken word workshop on Freedom, led by Franck de Bruijn, where participants transformed their reflections into creative expression. Through poetry and storytelling, they explored themes of identity, rights and personal freedom while discovering new ways to communicate their ideas.
Building connections beyond the workshops
Learning continued far beyond the formal sessions.
Young people cooked and ate together, exchanged traditional snacks from their home countries, explored The Hague through a street art tour organised by WeAreCATS and spent their free time playing football and discovering the city together.
These informal moments became essential spaces for intercultural dialogue, helping participants build friendships, challenge stereotypes and appreciate the richness of Europe’s cultural diversity.
One participant reflected:
“I would like more activities where we can work together and talk with participants from other countries.”
This feedback perfectly reflects one of the core values of the MovingON project: creating meaningful opportunities for young people to connect, collaborate and learn from one another across cultures.
Music as a language of inclusion
Among the highlights of the mobility was the vibrant brass band workshop organised by YOPE.
For many participants, it was a completely new experience. Working together through rhythm and music, every young person was encouraged to participate actively, step into the spotlight and even perform a solo in front of the group.
The workshop demonstrated how creativity can become a powerful tool for inclusion, confidence-building and collaboration. By creating music together, participants experienced first-hand how trust, cooperation and mutual support can transform individual contributions into something much greater.
As one participant shared:
“The music workshop was my favourite activity because it was fun and different from what I expected.”
Supporting the goals of MovingON
The Youth Mobility reflects the core mission of the MovingON project: empowering young people—particularly those facing social vulnerabilities—to become active participants in democratic life through non-formal education, creativity and international cooperation.
By combining structured learning with creative workshops and informal experiences, the programme created a safe and inclusive environment where participants could express themselves, exchange perspectives and build meaningful relationships across Europe.
Rather than simply attending activities, young people became active contributors to the learning process, sharing ideas, working together and reflecting on how they can make a positive impact within their own communities.
Looking ahead
The experiences shared during the MovingON Youth Mobility in The Hague will continue far beyond the five days spent together.
Participants return home with new friendships, stronger intercultural competences and a deeper understanding of democratic participation. Most importantly, they leave with renewed confidence to transform what they have learned into concrete actions within their local communities.
The Hague mobility was more than an international exchange—it was a shared journey towards participation, inclusion and European cooperation. It showed that meaningful learning happens not only through workshops, but also through shared experiences, creativity and genuine human connections. When young people are given the opportunity to participate, express themselves and collaborate across cultures, they become powerful agents of positive change.
