From 19–23 May 2025, the city of Durrës, Albania, became the meeting point for 42 youth work professionals from across Europe and its neighbouring regions. “Partnerships Beyond Borders,” a dynamic partnership-building activity, brought together organisations with Erasmus+ youth accreditation and newer actors from Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, the SouthMed, and the Western Balkans. Framed by the Beyond Borders – Neighbours Together strategic partnership, the seminar was more than just a networking event. It was a vibrant space for exchanging ideas, building trust, and planting the seeds for future collaboration.
But what really happened in those days by the Adriatic sea? What inspired people to join, and what challenges and hopes did they bring with them?
Anna from Poland, Ira from Albania, Gvantsa from Georgia, and Fadi from Palestine open up about their motivations, reflections, and the partnerships they envision growing beyond borders.
Inspired to Connect
As an organisation that has recently embarked on the Erasmus accreditation journey, gaining experience from diverse contexts is extremely important to us, Anna from Kuźnia Talentów says. So for us, this was a chance to step outside our comfort zone and really learn from different realities. We didn’t want to just collect contacts—we came here looking for shared values. There’s something powerful about sitting across the table and talking face to face. That kind of honest exchange can spark truly inspiring cooperation. For us, this isn’t just a seminar—it’s the beginning of a longer journey. We’re especially excited about working with organisations from neighbouring regions. Their perspectives are often missing in EU projects, and we believe including them makes everything richer and more relevant.
For us at Creative Youth Platform, inclusion, equity, and youth participation are at the heart of everything we do, says Gvantsa. That’s why we were drawn to this seminar. It offered the opportunity to meet others who share those same values and are ready to co-create—not just join a project and tick boxes. We’re looking for partnerships that are built to last, not ones that end as soon as the project does. We want to connect with both experienced and emerging organisations, and work together to bridge the gaps—in resources, access, and opportunity.
Beyond Barriers has played a key role in shaping youth work in Albania and has consistently contributed to international cooperation through various European programmes, Ira explains. But we never stop learning. This seminar gives us the chance to meet new partners, get inspired by fresh approaches, and also share what we’ve learned along the way. For us, this isn’t just about building a project—it’s about building trust. We want partnerships that are more than just formal agreements. We’re here to connect with people who care about youth work the way we do—and who see value in both giving and receiving. That’s the kind of exchange that lasts.
For us, joining Partnerships Beyond Borders wasn’t just another international seminar—it was a statement, says Fadi with conviction. We believe deeply in the power of cross-border collaboration to amplify voices that often go unheard, especially those from under-represented regions like ours. Loesje Palestine came to Durrës with a clear purpose: to connect, create, and challenge. We were excited by the idea of exchanging ideas with like-minded organisations—those who care about youth empowerment, creative expression, and social change, Fadi explains. But we’re not here just to network. We’re here to build long-term partnerships rooted in shared values like inclusivity, non-formal education, and solidarity, he adds. This seminar is more than a learning opportunity. It’s a chance for Palestinian youth to be part of the international dialogue that shapes youth work. It’s about making sure we’re not just included, but actively involved in creating the future we want to see—together!
Facing the Challenges of Cross-Border Cooperation
One of the biggest challenges? Definitely the imbalance—in funding, in experience, in access to information about how these programmes actually work, Gvantsa explains how this often plays out. Sometimes, the more experienced partners unintentionally dominate the process. They know the system better, have more resources, and naturally take the lead. But that can leave others feeling sidelined. At Creative Youth Platform, Gvantsa and her team are working to flip that dynamic. We want partnerships where everyone has a voice—where decisions are shared, and roles are balanced. That doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, trust, and real communication. She’s also quick to point out another recurring issue: so many collaborations are project-based and short-lived. You meet, you work, and then it’s over. But we’re looking for something deeper—long-term partnerships rooted in co-design and mutual growth. When you build with intention and care, the outcomes are so much more impactful—for everyone involved.
We’ve been involved in international youth cooperation for quite some time, Ira begins. So we’ve seen both the amazing potential and the real challenges that come with it. One key structural challenge is the limited access of the partner countries to lead roles in many Erasmus+ actions, particularly outside Capacity Building in the field of Youth. That limits our ability to shape projects from the start and makes us overly dependent on Programme Country partners to open the door, Ira reflects on the changing dynamics in the field.
It’s also getting harder for newer organisations from our region to connect with established EU partners. Many of them already have fixed networks and don’t always look beyond those. So fresh voices and ideas sometimes get left out. For Ira, it’s about more than just funding or logistics—it’s also about mindset. If we want true, equal partnerships, we need to address the power imbalance. That takes more than goodwill—it takes effort, openness, and proactive outreach from organisations in Programme Countries towards those in the neighbouring regions. Without that, we risk missing out on the creativity and innovation that diverse cooperation brings.
My Input for Beyond Borders
You can really feel the energy of the Beyond Borders concept, Anna shares enthusiastically. Even after just a few days here, it’s clear that this kind of space is not just welcome—it’s needed. There’s something special about being surrounded by people who are genuinely looking to build something meaningful together. Coming from an NGO background, Anna sees potential for even more depth. One idea we’d love to contribute, she explains, is to bring more thematic focus into the mix. Every organisation here has its own expertise—some are tackling youth mental health, others are driving work on gender equality, climate action, or inclusion. Imagine if we could cluster these themes and help participants connect not just generally, but through shared causes. That could spark even more targeted, impactful collaboration.
When we think about what Beyond Borders could become, we immediately think: creativity, inclusion, and grassroots energy, Fadi says. We’d love to bring in some of the creative methodologies we’ve developed—like creative writing workshops, poster-making, and art-based advocacy. These aren’t just activities—they’re powerful tools for expression and social change. He emphasises the importance of going beyond formal structures. This partnership shouldn’t just be about connecting organisations from different places. It should reflect real diversity in how we work too—methodological innovation, local voices, and youth-led engagement. That’s what makes a partnership feel alive.
And one more thing, Fadi adds. We strongly believe that equity starts with how resources are distributed. Grass-root organisations, especially from neighbouring regions, should be able to lead—not just follow. If Beyond Borders can champion that kind of balance, it could become a truly transformative platform.
