SYNERGY

Project Summary

Project period: 2025 – 2028
Partners: Sihtasutus Mõttekoda Praxis, University of Iceland, Risbo B.V.
Funded by: Erasmus+ KA2

SYNERGY (Synchronize Evidence and Practice to Prevent Misogyny Among Youth) enhances the capacity of youth workers to foster gender equality amid rising misogynist influences. It bridges research, practice and policy by exploring youth workers’ experiences with extreme misogyny, synthesizing evidence on effective youth interventions, and co-creating an innovative methodology with youth field stakeholders. The project strengthens youth work professionalism, reduces ideological polarization, and reinforces gender equality as a core European value.

Context and Challenges

Across Europe, youth workers are encountering the impact of ideological polarization and the rise of misogynistic narratives among young people. These trends challenge the promotion of gender equality and create complex situations where youth workers must address sensitive attitudes, behaviours, and beliefs — often without sufficient tools, training, or shared methodologies.

At the same time, there is a gap between research, policy, and everyday youth work practice. While gender equality remains a core European value, youth workers need stronger support to translate this principle into effective, practical interventions in non-formal education settings. The lack of accessible, evidence-based resources and spaces for knowledge exchange further limits their ability to respond to emerging challenges such as extreme misogyny.

SYNERGY addresses these issues by recognising the urgent need to strengthen youth work capacities, bridge fragmented knowledge, and provide innovative, collaborative solutions that empower youth workers to promote inclusion, equality, and critical thinking in an increasingly polarized social environment.

Activities

SYNERGY brings together research, practical exchange, and collaboration to better support youth workers in their daily work. The project starts by looking closely at youth policies, existing approaches in non-formal education, and the real experiences of youth workers, especially when dealing with extreme misogyny among young people.

Building on this, there are organised peer learning activities where youth workers can share what works, what doesn’t, and learn directly from each other’s practice. At the same time, co-creation workshops bring together youth workers, researchers, and other stakeholders to jointly develop new ideas and approaches.

One of the main outputs of this process is an interactive handbook designed by and for youth workers, offering practical tools to promote gender equality in today’s increasingly polarised environment. The project also hosts four conferences, bringing together youth workers, young people, researchers, and policymakers.

Impact

Across Europe, young people’s views on gender are becoming increasingly divided. While many strongly support equality and respectful relationships, a significant gap remains — especially between young women and young men — on issues such as consent and control.

SYNERGY responds to this challenge by strengthening the capacity of youth workers to address misogyny and promote gender equality in their everyday practice. Through research, peer learning, and co-creation, youth workers gain practical, evidence-based tools that they can continue using beyond the project.

A key result is the development of freely accessible resources, especially the interactive handbook, which supports youth workers, educators, and policymakers. The project also contributes to ongoing training, research, and youth policies.

By strengthening organisations and equipping youth workers with new skills and approaches, SYNERGY creates lasting change for young people, who benefit from more inclusive and gender-sensitive youth work.

Updates & Reports

Contact

📧 For more information or to get involved, contact us at: development@fryshuset.se
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@fryshusetglobal & @fryshusetyouthmobility