The Kharkiv Talks Youth Exchange project will gather young people from 8 European countries in Kharkiv in May 2016 to address the current challenges facing Europe: an alarming rise in popularity of far-right parties & increased racism, anti-Semitism & discrimination. Framed by the ongoing crisis & war in Ukraine the project will focus on issues of nationalism, the return of war in Europe, & how to build a sustainable democratic future. These issues must be addressed by empowering younger generations – Europe’s future – with knowledge, skills & capacities to defend values of democracy & a common European identity. The project’smain objectives are: 1. Mobilize young people in the fight against nationalism, racism, discrimination & anti-Semitism 2. Strengthen cooperation between young people from across the EU & its neighbours 3. Empower youth with concrete skills & knowledge to better promote the values of democracy, unity & a shared identity 4. Provide a platform for Europeans to enhance intercultural awareness/build a common view to European identity 5. Create a longterm interest in building a sustainable future for Europe. These will be achieved by uniting 50+ young people (aged 18-25) to participate in a 6-day programme of informal/non-formal activities. 35 participants from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia-Herzegovina will meet 25 Ukrainian counterparts. Organisations will identify participants with involvement limited to a localised vision with little opportunity for international exchange, who would benefit from this.The agenda, framed by the Ukrainian conflict, will address key threats to democracy & European identity, complimented by each European organisation’s areas of expertise. This will cover Freedom of Speech, Memory & the Holocaust, Refugees & Internally Displaced People, The Rise of Nationalism & the Balkans Conflict & issues of Racism, Discrimination & Anti-Semitism in Europe today. The programme combines workshops/lectures/ice-breaking activities/capacity building seminars. Different methods will be applied throughout in order to ensure an engaging & interesting agenda, including: 1. Ice-Breaking moments for an informal period in which participants/trainers/academics & experts will be able to discuss 2. Theoretical contributions by academics/stakeholders to provide concrete knowledge on a specific area based on the experience. 3. Collective construction of knowledge to provide space for exchange between young activists based on personal experience & understanding. 4. Capacity building activities to encourage the learning of practical skills & leadership abilities. 5. Evaluation to monitor personal progress. 6. Documentary Brainstorming to ensure the effective dissemination of the projects achievements & provide a concrete resource illustrating the understandings of young people.In line with the Erasmus+ priorities & European 2020 strategy, the project will enrich competences of young people & provide them with tools for more active participation in democratic society. Skills attained will contribute to young activists’ personal & professional development. The project will reach its objectives as: 1. Discussions of key European issues with a diverse participants provides new connections & a broader view of society 2. Exchanges on the socio-political climate in Ukraine/ icebreaking moments with locals & nationals will foster a wider & more long term interest in Ukraine/promote foundations for a more sustainable future. 3. Wider discussions of core topics will offer a new insight to the fight, creating more mobilized/knowledgable young activists with a better concept of European identity & democracy 4. Informal exchange between young activists/trainers/academics/experts in the field will provide concrete tools & leadership abilities, meaning a more capable & equipped generation for the future of the fight 5. Meetings with local organisations, in particular with IDPs will lay the foundations for future projects based on a first-hand understanding.6. The production of a video documentary “We Europeans…” illustrating the journey, vision & message of young participants under the will not only contribute to the successful dissemination of the project, but also ensure that project participants continue to collaborate following the end of the main activity.Above all, the project will provide a sustainable response to the challenges faced by Europe today, ensuring that skills obtained through the project can be applied to the participants’ local & national environments & foster long term investment in the construction of a more inclusive European society.Sustainability will be ensured through wide dissemination of the project on social medias, the production of reports & the encouragement of follow up activities in collaboration with local & national communities of the participating organisation. Participants are a key factor in the dissemination of results.