The International Youth Exchange “Building together new doors… para un futuro mejor!” brought together 60 young people, mostly with “fewer opportunities”, for two weeks in Málaga and Marbella, Spain. It was hosted by our partner group EIMA - “Asociación Juvenil Encuentros Interculturales Málaga”. The participants came from politically and socially neglected communities in Palermo-Italy, Lisbon and Câmara de Lobos-Portugal, Maribor- Slovenia, Bratislava-Kopcany-Slovakia, Hamburg- St. Pauli- Germany, Liverpool- UK and Los Asperones and Churriana in Málaga- Andalucía. The participants met in a spirit of international friendship to discuss one of the enormous problems many young Europeans are facing: youth unemployment. Our goal was to play together, learn from each other, understand the social/ economical/ political reasons for unemployment, cooperate to find ways to cope and encourage each other, not to give up hope, but continue to engage for a life in dignity. All 7 groups and every single one of the young people brought a range of abilities and creativity, which was an added value to the programme of activities. The groups presented their cities and projects, as well as a self-designed and organised workshop on different aspects of our theme, introduced with varied ways and methods of non-formal education. Thematic working was surrounded by a rainbow of playful, fun, sightseeing and cultural activities: which all enriched our programme. This International Youth Exchange had a great impact: • On the participants personally, by supporting their process of empowerment: They discovered their potential and willingness to cope and work together, enhancing their individual and social capacities, they learned new tools and felt encouraged not to give up (see their evaluation comments); • On the youth groups from 7 EU countries, developing their teamwork, intercultural understanding and cooperation; • On their communities in 7 different corners of Europe, where their experience and their commitment for European awareness and friendship shows a sustainable impact. Facing the enormous challenges of social exclusion and youth unemployment, especially in the Southern European countries, it became also clear that working for the “employability” of young people only, is not enough and in fact counterproductive, if not cynical. Young people need support, when they want to learn how to open closed doors. And they also need European initiatives for solutions: There is a need to stop the austerity measures and a big space for improvement for European Structural politics and new political and economic priorities, young people need opportunities to work and look forward to a future in dignity.