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Final conference in Ljubljana, 19–20 October 2026

On 15 September 2026, the BDP EU-Dimension Online Event brought together participants from different European countries, including Estonia, Norway, Spain, Hungary, Germany, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Croatia and Slovenia. The event focused on presenting the Bridging Differences Programme Toolkit (BDP Toolkit) and sharing experiences and perspectives on inclusive and accessible youth work.

How to create more opportunities for young people with visual impairments and how to better connect different systems and stakeholders in doing so was the central question addressed by the national roundtables held in all partner countries. Three roundtables took place on 31 August, and two on 7 September 2026. The events brought together representatives of various institutions, organisations and other stakeholders whose work in different ways influences the situation and opportunities of young people.

From 3 to 8 July 2026, the second international youth mobility under the Erasmus+ project Youth IMPACT, took place in Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

From 20 to 25 March 2026, the first international mobility programme within the Erasmus+ project Youth IMPACT was successfully implemented at Hotel Mediteran in Budva. During the programme, young people with visual impairments from Montenegro, Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in an intensive process of learning, exchange of experiences and mutual connection, building not only new knowledge but also strong interpersonal relationships.

One of the main results of the Youth IMPACT Erasmus+ Capacity Building project is the Bridging Differences Programme (BDP) Toolkit, which helps organizations, trainers, and youth workers create more inclusive and accessible environments for young people with visual impairments (VI). The toolkit addresses the increasing demand for useful materials that not only increase awareness but also offer specific strategies for meaningfully and empoweringly involving VI youth.

Within the framework of the Erasmus+ project Youth IMPACT – Youth Integration and Motivation for Positive Achievement and Capacity Transformation, the Transnational Inclusive Horizon Handbook was developed as one of its key and long-term most significant results. The handbook was produced in the period from November 2025 to January 2026 through intensive cooperation among partner organisations, with this task coordinated by the Union of the Blind of Montenegro.

Throughout the Balkan areas and among Europe, the partnership carried out the Raising Awareness and Capacities Campaign under the Youth IMPACT project. The campaign's objectives were to increase awareness, lessen discrimination, and encourage the inclusion of visually impaired (VI) youth in the domains of education, work, and youth, hence why this campaign targeted not only youth workers, but also employers who work in several organizations such as NGOs.

A partners’ meeting of the Erasmus+ project “YOUTH IMPACT”, led by the Croatian Blind Union, was successfully held in Podgorica from 5 to 7 November 2025.

With a core aim to enhance local organizations who work with blind and visually impaired youth, partner organizations of the Youth IMPACT project, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, organized national trainings in their countries between the months of August and September 2025.

Organizations of visually impaired persons strengthen their capacities for working with youth

Strengths, weaknesses and capacities of non-profit organizations working with young people with visual impairments:

In January 2025, each organization in the Youth IMPACT project consortium held an Initial conference in its respective country. These conferences served as an introduction to the project, the commencement of activities, and as a source of motivation for young people and organizations working with youth to engage and participate in upcoming mobilities focused on non-formal education and skill development.

From December 11 to 13, 2024, the Croatian Association of the Blind hosted the international Kick-off meeting in Zagreb to launch the new Erasmus+ project, Youth IMPACT – Youth Integration and Motivation for Positive Achievement and Capacity Transformation.

On November 1, 2024, the Croatian Blind Union began to join coordinating and implementing a new international Erasmus+ project titled "Youth IMPACT – Youth Integration and Motivation for Positive Achievement and Capacity Transformation.".