Stop to Religious Discrimination – Unite in Diversity

The youth exchange Stop to Religious Discrimination – Unite in Diversity brought together young people from across Europe to address one of today’s pressing challenges: intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. Religious discrimination affects many aspects of daily life – from access to education and jobs to participation in public life – and young people are often at the center of it, whether as victims, bystanders, or even perpetrators.

This project aimed to empower youth to recognize and challenge discrimination, to separate religion and human rights from prejudices, and to actively promote tolerance and diversity in their communities.

Objectives

The youth exchange set out to:

• Explore the phenomenon of religious discrimination and its impact on society.

• Enable participants to recognize stereotypes and prejudices against religious groups.

• Strengthen the role of youth in combating intolerance and promoting inclusion.

• Build mutual understanding and respect between participants from diverse backgrounds.

• Provide tools for interfaith and intercultural dialogue.

• Inspire participants to design and lead future Erasmus+ projects on diversity and dialogue.

Participants

Groups of 4 young people (18–25 years old) and 1 youth leader came from Germany, Serbia, Norway, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Turkey, and Slovakia. Together, they formed a multicultural community that shared experiences, broke down barriers, and built lasting friendships.

Venue

The exchange took place at the Suplja Stena Children’s Resort on Avala Mountain, near Belgrade. Surrounded by nature, it provided a safe and inspiring setting for group learning, intercultural exchange, and reflection.

Support and Funding

The project was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. Travel, accommodation, meals, and activities were fully covered, ensuring that all participants could focus on learning and collaboration.

Impact

Stop to Religious Discrimination – Unite in Diversity inspired young people to take an active stance against intolerance and work toward a more democratic, inclusive, and tolerant Europe. By combining dialogue, intercultural learning, and creative activities, the project strengthened solidarity and promoted peaceful coexistence across different religions and cultures.