EdUcAntwerp – Creating Opportunities Where Young People Can Belong
“If we don’t fit the system, we build new ones.”
This quote has guided EdUcAntwerp since its foundation in Antwerp, Belgium, in 2014. It reflects our belief that social challenges cannot always be addressed by asking people to adapt to systems that do not recognise their realities, talents or needs. Throughout our work, we met young people who felt excluded from education, employment and community life, but we also met youth workers, social workers, socio-sportive coaches and organisations searching for more inclusive and innovative ways to support them. We realised that meaningful change requires more than activities for young people alone. It requires strong communities, competent professionals and organisations that are willing to collaborate, learn and grow together. This understanding led to the creation of EdUcAntwerp as a youth work and networking organisation that connects people, organisations and communities through non-formal education, sports and international cooperation.
At EdUcAntwerp, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to participate, discover their strengths and feel that they belong. Our work focuses primarily on young people between the ages of 16 and 30, particularly those with fewer opportunities and diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds. Many of the people we work with face challenges such as social exclusion, discrimination, school dropout, unemployment, mental health difficulties or limited access to meaningful opportunities. At the same time, we work extensively with youth workers, social workers, socio-sportive coaches, volunteers and organisations that support these young people in their daily lives. We do not see these groups separately. We see them as part of one ecosystem in which people learn from one another and create positive change together. For this reason, our activities are designed not only to empower young people directly but also to strengthen the competences and capacities of professionals and organisations. We believe that when professionals and organisations become stronger, they can create better opportunities and more sustainable support systems for the communities they serve.
Our work is built around three interconnected pillars: youth activities, professionalisation and network development. Through these pillars, we aim to create opportunities for personal growth, strengthen the quality of youth work and build partnerships that generate sustainable impact. We organise youth exchanges, training courses, workshops, local initiatives and community activities that encourage active participation, leadership and social engagement. We also support professionals and organisations through capacity-building activities, exchanges of good practices and international cooperation. Over the years, we have become particularly known for our socio-sportive methodologies, which combine sports with non-formal education and social learning. We use sport not simply as a recreational activity but as an educational tool that promotes communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion and leadership. Sport creates spaces where people from different backgrounds can meet on equal terms, challenge stereotypes and build meaningful relationships. Through these experiences, participants develop competences that can be applied in their personal, educational and professional lives.
Another important aspect of our work is our focus on mental well-being, religion and culture as essential components of identity and belonging. We believe that young people and communities cannot thrive if these dimensions are ignored. We therefore create safe spaces where participants can discuss identity, values, discrimination, well-being and social challenges openly and respectfully. We encourage dialogue between people from different backgrounds and promote environments where diversity is recognised as a strength rather than a barrier. These conversations often become powerful learning experiences that help participants better understand themselves and others while strengthening empathy, social cohesion and active citizenship.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of working with hundreds of young people, professionals and community members. We have seen young people who lacked confidence become volunteers, facilitators and community leaders. We have witnessed youth workers and social workers discover methodologies that transformed the way they engage with participants. We have seen organisations build partnerships that led to new projects, stronger networks and long-term cooperation. These experiences have reinforced our belief that empowerment creates a ripple effect. When one person gains knowledge, confidence or new opportunities, entire communities can benefit. For this reason, co-creation and participation are at the heart of our work. Young people, professionals and partner organisations are encouraged to contribute ideas, share experiences and actively shape the activities they participate in. We believe that meaningful learning happens when people feel ownership, responsibility and trust.
International cooperation has become an essential part of our organisational identity. Through our experience as both an applicant and partner in numerous Erasmus+ projects, we have discovered that the challenges faced by young people and professionals are often shared across borders. Questions related to inclusion, participation, mental well-being, discrimination and active citizenship are relevant in communities throughout Europe. International cooperation allows us to exchange methodologies, challenge assumptions and learn from different perspectives. It enables young people to broaden their horizons while giving professionals and organisations opportunities to strengthen their practices and expand their networks. For EdUcAntwerp, international cooperation is not only about mobility or travel. It is about creating spaces for mutual learning, innovation and solidarity. It is about building partnerships that contribute to stronger communities and more inclusive societies.
Joining the Young European Shapers Network therefore felt like a natural step for our organisation. We were motivated by the opportunity to become part of a community that shares our belief in participation, inclusion, solidarity and lifelong learning. For us, YES is much more than a network of organisations. It is a community of people who believe that social change happens when young people, professionals and organisations work together and learn from one another. We hope to contribute our experience in socio-sportive methodologies, non-formal education, community engagement and capacity building while also learning from the expertise and perspectives of other members. We believe that every organisation within this network brings valuable experiences that can inspire collective growth and innovation.
As we look ahead, our expectations for the YES Project extend beyond implementing activities and developing partnerships. We hope to create meaningful cooperation that
strengthens organisations, empowers professionals and creates better opportunities for young people and local communities throughout Europe. Most importantly, we hope to contribute to a Europe where diversity is recognised as a strength, participation is accessible to everyone and people feel connected to their communities. At EdUcAntwerp, everyone who joins us becomes part of our story because every contribution, big or small, helps build the communities we want to create together. Through the YES Network, we look forward to learning, collaborating and continuing our mission of creating opportunities where people can belong, participate and shape positive change in their communities and beyond.
