ABOUT THE PROJECT
A structured response to a silent risk
NAV(EU) connects grassroots insight, comparative European research and practical training to help frontline professionals recognise and address social isolation among migrant youth.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT’S SCOPE
Building social bonds, trust and belonging
The Navigating a N(EU) World: Youth Work for Isolated Migrants project is a 12-month transnational initiative spanning Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain under the Erasmus+ small-scale partnerships in youth framework.
It focuses on addressing the “silent risk” of social isolation and loneliness among young non-EU migrants (aged 16–30) by equipping frontline professionals such as youth workers, trainers, and social workers with specialized knowledge and intercultural competences.
The project bridges grassroots insights, comparative European research, and digital training methods to move beyond traditional language or employment integration and invest instead in building social bonds, trust, and belonging.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the NAV(EU) Project
01
To gain an in-depth understanding of the scale, causes and dynamics of migrant youth isolation in the three partner countries and across Europe.
02
To design and deliver practical tools and competences for Youth Workers and Trainers to address, de-stigmatize and counter isolation.
03
To explore how migration, isolation and well-being intersect, identifying risks while developing concrete tactics for inclusion, relationship-building and integration.
04
To disseminate findings widely and embed project recommendations into youth work practice and relevant policies.
ACTIVITIES
From knowledge generation to real-world impact
The project implementation is structured around five main activities.
A1/A2 · Management & Quality Assurance
Establishment of administrative frameworks, hosting a kick-off meeting, forming an expert Advisory Board, and executing internal/external communication strategies.
A3 · Charting Isolation
Conducting desk reviews and qualitative fieldwork (focus groups and interviews) with migrant youth and experts to build a robust evidence base.
A4 · Capacity Building
Co-creating, translating, and piloting a practical Train-the-Trainer Handbook alongside an interactive online e-learning module with 45 youth workers.
A5 · Dissemination, Sustainability, and Exploitation
Hosting multiplier events, a final European webinar, maintaining a resource-hub website, and distributing policy briefs to ensure long-term legacy.
NEEDS AND PRIORITIES
Four interconnected groups
NAV(EU) directly targets the urgent needs of four interconnected groups: migrant youth who require safe spaces to overcome exclusion; youth workers who are often overstretched and lack case specific tools to detect isolation; refugee NGOs requiring scalable methodologies; and policymakers in need of reliable data.
Inclusion and Diversity
NAV(EU) combats the growing isolation of European migrant youth and advances equity, social cohesion, and equal opportunities.
Innovation in Youth Work
The project combines grassroots research, co-creation, and digital microlearning to equip practitioners with modern competences.
Policy, Research, and Practice
A sustainable feedback loop connects data-driven research, practical tools, policy briefs, and stakeholder dialogue.
IN A NUTSHELL
More inclusive, connected and resilient communities
NAV(EU) empowers youth workers and educators to protect vulnerable migrant youth, turning Erasmus+ priorities into actionable practice.