Europe accepting diversity

The “European migrant crisis” or “European refugee crisis” began in 2015, when a rising number of refugees and migrants made the journey to the EU to seek asylum, travelling across the Mediterranean Sea, or through Southeast Europe (SEE). The increase of refugees of different race and religion around us influences the raise of “right” oriented aggressive feelings among mainstream population (the proof of that is the newly elected government in Croatia nowadays). This further brings us hatred speeches on everyday basis and promotion of hate among youngsters who trust blindly their elders. In the region (SEE) that has gone through hatred and war just some 20 years ago and we have gone through the hard work as civil society organisations to work on reconciliation and acceptance among our youngsters, the newly rise of such negative emotions towards other human beings are also waking up the “old” hatred towards the neighbours. When hatred (towards migrants/refugees of different race and religion) is seen as acceptable in society, then elders happily jump in with adding also those “old” issues back to surface. Also in other European countries where there are refugees arriving or other migrants are living for some time, and combined with the recent terrorist attacks and fear from those, nowadays there is a rise of such negative behaviour and hatred, not only in Southeast Europe.The core activity of the project was – 8 days long partnership-building activity (PBA). It was organised in the youth hostel in Novi Sad, Serbia from 15th till 23rd November 2016 and it had geathered 30 participants, trainers and staff from 18 organisations and 16 countries (RS, XK, ME, BA, HR, MK, BG, GR, CY, TR, SI, RO, IT, FR, SL, PL). There were 18 participants with fewer opportunities.The PBA had explored the concepts of quality partnerships on international projects, realities of our countries in dealing with refugee crises and other issues of intolerance nowadays, celebrating diversity in communities and Erasmus+ YiA projects (with an emphasis on KA1 - Mobility projects for young people and youthworkers) as well as inclusion and gave the participants a space to develop ideas and establish European level partnerships for new projects tackling issues mentioned above and promoting richness of diversity and acceptance in Europe.Through increased quantity and quality projects of participants and partners, the impact was the increased competences and readiness of young people in communities for taking active stand on fighting discrimination and intolerance and promoting respect of diversity and intercultural acceptance.