You Serious? An Inclusive Society for Young People!
Inclusive Communities
Young people are among the most vulnerable in our society. For instance 1 out of 5 children live in families that are at risk of poverty. And one third of young adults in Europe are currently unemployed, not in education or training. In some cases, children grow up in disadvantaged situations, for example due to child abuse. It often involves parents who are under pressure for various reasons, such as poverty, mental health issues and/or their own traumatic experiences in the past. Many children and young people therefore face social exclusion.
Social services, for instance social work and child protection, can provide innovative and creative approaches to build inclusive, safe and sustainable communities for young people and to minimise social inequalities. Not only by responding, but also by actively preventing exclusion and strengthening protective factors.
This Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) is a collaboration between NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK) and Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences (FHV).
Practice-Oriented and Impact-Driven
You will be challenged to apply critical thinking to provide solutions for real-world social issues commonly encountered in society. In multidisciplinary student design teams, you will co-create inclusive methods that enhance protection and well-being of young people, help prevent social exclusion and develop innovative solutions tackling social inequalities.
The BIP is designed to be practice-oriented and impact-driven. Our implementation partners are experienced practitioners with strong ties to the professional field of youth care and education. They will act as problem pitchers, bringing authentic challenges from the field into the classroom.
By participating in the BIP, you’ll help build a work-life network that connects students and professionals across disciplines and borders sharing practices, building expertise, and shaping a future where every young person is safe, supported, and seen.
3rd of March 2026 to 21st of April 2026
English
To be defined by each home institution. In general terms, most students will have this E+ BIP certified in the Diploma Supplement, as a minimal condition upon approval from their study programmes.
The BIP is mainly designed for Bachelor levels, however Master and PHDs students are also welcome to apply.
Programme at a glance
• Welcome & Opening Session
• Introduction & Pitches of Social Issues by Implementation Partners
• Team Building
Day 1 – Monday 23 March 2026 (9.00 – 17.00 CET)
• Welcome & Opening Design Week
• Group Work: Discover
• Lecture: Design Thinking
• Group Work & Presentation: Define
• Dinner & Evening Programme
Day 2 – Tuesday 24 March 2026 (9.00 – 19.00 CET)
• City Walk & Field Trip LABS Leeuwarden
• Group Work
• Dinner & Evening Programme
Day 3 – Wednesday 25 March 2026 (9.00-19.00 CET)
• Workshop Carrousel
- VR
- Lecture: Child Protection - An overview focusing on a European perspective
- Lecture: Introduction on the Child - Model
• Group Work: Develop
• Evening: Free-time
Day 4 – Thursday 25 March 2026 (8.00 – 19.00 CET)
• Field Trip & Cultural Programme Ameland
Day 5 – Friday 26 March 2026 (9.00 – 13.00 CET)
• Group Work: Develop & Ideas on Prototypes
• Presentations Group Work: Prototypes
• Wrap-Up & Evaluation of the Week
• Welcome & Final Presentations for Implementation Partners
• How to Learn Activity
Learning outcomes
By the end of this Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programme, learners will be able to:
- Identify and apply key concepts, theoretical frameworks, and historical developments in the domains of youth welfare, youth protection, and preventing social exclusion.
- Apply critical and ethical reasoning to develop practical, context-sensitive solutions for real-world challenges in youth welfare and protection.
- Understand and apply inclusive, strength-based methods that enhance the well-being of young people, prevent social exclusion, and reinforce protective factors across diverse social and cultural settings.
- Practice transdisciplinary approaches to youth inclusion and protection, drawing from pedagogy, social work, psychology, education, and public policy to address complex social issues.
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, demonstrating intercultural sensitivity, shared responsibility, and reflective practice in co-creating youth-centered solutions.
- Communicate innovative responses to societal challenges affecting young people, using a variety of formats and skills to engage stakeholders, advocate for youth, and influence inclusive policy and practice.
Selection criteria
Background, motivation, representation of subject areas/fields, balanced participation of RUN-EU member institutions. The selection team will also take steps towards ensuring a diverse and representative group of students.
Involved organisations and persons
Häme University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Mari Unkuri (Instructor)
- Miia Ståhlberg (Instructor)
NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences
Lead Organisation, Host Organisation- Cynthia Bruinsma (Instructor)
- Janneke Metselaar (Lead Instructor)
Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
Partner Organisation- Carmen Hofer-Temmel (Instructor)
- Myriam Antinori (Instructor)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. Grant Agreement Number: 101124674