From 19–28 November 2025, in Tykocin, Poland, an Erasmus+ training course titled “Social Impact Lab: From Empathy to Leadership” took place, bringing together participants from Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Lithuania, Spain, Portugal and Bulgaria. The international setting created an ideal environment for learning, collaboration and exchange of diverse perspectives.
In partnership with Youth Human Impact, Mundus Bulgaria sent 5 young people who wanted to dive deeper into the topic and develop their soft skills in an international setting. The project “Social Impact Lab: From Empathy to Leadership” was created to support youth workers in developing the competencies needed to initiate real social change. Participants from seven European countries learned how to design and lead activities with measurable impact on young people, and how to respond to local challenges with empathy and engagement.
A strong focus was placed on developing empathetic leadership. Participants explored how to build relationships, recognise the needs of young people, and create safe, inclusive spaces. Workshops, discussions, and daily reflection sessions helped them better understand the role of a leader as a facilitator and mentor rather than just a coordinator.
Another important component involved human-centered methods, primarily design thinking and social storytelling. Through interactive exercises, role plays, and the analysis of real problems, participants developed creative approaches to youth work and learned how to design solutions rooted in the actual needs of their communities.
The international character of the project fostered the exchange of experiences. Each day was facilitated by a different national group, bringing diverse ideas and perspectives. This created a collaborative environment that inspired participants to form new partnerships and plan future joint initiatives.
The culmination of the training was the creation of 10 prototypes of social micro-projects. During the final gala, participants presented their ideas, received Youthpass certificates, and were encouraged to implement their solutions upon returning to their organisations. While the training has ended, its results have the potential to significantly enhance the quality of youth work across Europe.
Big thanks to our partners for providing such an opportunity for youth across Europe!
