From Conflict to Connection
Behind every disagreement there is a story waiting to be heard
International Training – NVC Handbook for Youth Workers – Bridges of Communication” Local Events -Training Materials
Conflict Is Part of Youth Work
Young people bring with them strong emotions, frustrations, and the need to be understood. Youth workers carry the weight of being supporters, mediators, and facilitators of safe spaces — often without the practical tools to do so.
About Us
Building safer spaces through dialogue, empathy, and understanding.
From Conflict to Connection is a Erasmus+ project bringing together youth workers from eight European countries to explore the principles of Non-Violent Communication (NVC).
The project is coordinated by Udruga Zaželi (Croatia) with partners from Estonia, North Macedonia, Italy, Spain, Serbia, Turkey, and Germany.
8
PARTNERS
28+
YOUTH WORKERS
Project Objectives
Five objectives, one shared goal: better communication with young people.
The From Conflict to Connection project responds to a clear need: youth workers across Europe report confidence in understanding young people, but often lack concrete communication tools for handling conflict, emotional intensity, and difficult dialogue.
Strengthen Communication Skills
Equip 24+ youth workers from eight countries with practical Non-Violent Communication techniques; active listening, “I-messages”, empathy, and needs-based dialogue through an intensive international training in Zagreb.
Build Practical Resources
Develop a handbook and short video materials that consolidate NVC methods and real case studies from youth work, making the tools accessible to practitioners across Europe.
Open Local Dialogues
Launch “Bridges of Communication” activities in partner countries, engaging young people in open conversations about conflict, empathy, and constructive disagreement in their local contexts.
Foster Cross-Cultural Exchange
ring together youth workers from Croatia, Estonia, North Macedonia, Italy, Spain, Serbia, Turkey, and Germany to share practices, challenge assumptions, and build long-term professional networks.
Reach Marginalised Youth
Support organisations working with young people facing social exclusion, discrimination, or limited access to opportunities — where empathic communication has the greatest impact.
Why This Project Matters
Behind every conflict in youth work lies an unmet need waiting to be heard. Non-Violent Communication helps us listen for that need and respond with empathy instead of judgment.
Young people don’t need adults who have all the answers. They need adults who know how to listen to what is said, and to what is not. That’s where connection begins.
Guiding principle of the project
Our Partners
From Conflict to Connection is delivered by a consortium of eight youth work organisations from across Europe – Croatia, Estonia, North Macedonia, Italy, Spain, Serbia, Turkey, and Germany. Together we bring complementary expertise in youth work, inclusion, non-formal education, and Non-Violent Communication.
MERC Skopje – The Republic of North Macedonia
Asociación Pilcrow – Spain
StartIDA MTÜ – Estonia
Want to be part of the conversation?
Whether you are a youth worker looking to deepen your communication skills, an organisation interested in the NVC handbook, or simply curious about the project we would love to hear from you.