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Preventing gender-based violence with new perspectives on the world. The FEVER project

18 May 2026

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Preventing gender-based violence requires more than just knowing the law; it requires a profound transformation in the way we interact. 

Between November 2025 and April 2026, we participated in the project FEVER, coordinated by the association Youth Solidarity, Partner of IGNet network and funded by the European Union under the Erasmus+ programme. It was a journey dedicated to contrast and prevention of gender violence and awareness of the phenomenon.

This project, divided into two training, it was a unique opportunity to meet and share knowledge on this topic by comparing the realities of the various countries of origin, delving into both the socio-cultural and legal aspects. The process involved, among others, some members of the international network IGNet coordinated by InformaGiovani including Ambitia from Slovenia, Elix from Greece e Aventure Marao Clube from Portugal, offering us a further opportunity to strengthen our partnership and share common goals.

The group of participants included diverse professionals, including youth workers with experience working with young people, educators, sociologists and psychologists, as well as young activists. All were united by a strong interest in the prevention of gender violence and the need for enhance the use of non-formal education as a political and activist tool to combat the phenomenon, in the daily practice of working with young people. 

During the two training operational tools and a game were shared to address issues such as gender stereotypes, consent, privilege and patriarchy, the rape culture and the factors that normalize it such as the media, as well as useful documents to frame the phenomenon from the point of view national and European regulations such as the Istanbul Convention but also other sources such as the research on gender violence Conducted in 27 European countries by Eurostat, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), and the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), the survey reminds us how much work still needs to be done: too many women experience physical, verbal, or psychological violence every day, at home or at work.

          

 

A fundamental pillar of the training was the in-depth study of regulatory aspects. Many participants emphasized how the activity on European Legal Framework was the most precious item to take home, because it is essential to know what rights we have to verify how the laws protect them. 

In many cases, the experience has shaken up previous beliefs. For one of the participants, for example, “Before this week, I didn't think it was helpful to know my rights because I thought I knew what was wrong. I thought that reporting a crime was as simple as going to the police and that they were aware of my rights. However, I've come to realize that the justice system is often not that knowledgeable. I've realized that I need to know my rights firsthand so I can share this information with others.”

In addition to technical knowledge, the training gave back to those who participated a new "toolbox” and a renewed inner strength. New tools have been discovered for create safe spaces, discuss the comfort individual and address the issue of consent within relationshipsOn a personal level, for many, the experience has allowed them to gain greater self-confidence, a renewed vocabulary suited to combating gender violence, and above all, to discover something more about themselves:

"What I've learned is that I feel very angry when people talk about violence, whether it involves me or others. Now I want to turn this anger into concrete action to promote awareness and prevention."

The project also directly influenced the participants' professional approach, pushing them toward more active and interactive facilitation methods, based on play and accessibility, to overcome the stigma that often surrounds the phenomenon. This practical impact is evident in the words of one Ukrainian psychologist who also works in schools:

My goal was to understand how to build a culture of nonviolent communication among children. Each new tool I learned was immediately mentally adapted to my context. In fact, the very day I returned to school, I began using these techniques for school mediation.

 

The path was effective because it was built combining theory and non-formal educationThis approach made it possible to address a complex topic in an accessible way, transforming theory into practical tools for everyday work.

 

During the second training  we presented the results of the survey “Prevention and management of gender-based violence within youth organizations and those working in the youth sector” condotto InformaGiovani with seven other organizations from the IG-Net Network, which involved more than six hundred interviewees including youth workers, volunteers, and participants in Erasmus+ activities. The data confirmed how socio-cultural background profoundly impacts the perception of violence, highlighting three urgent needs: clearer reporting procedures, effective codes of conduct, and specific training for staff and volunteers.

Precisely on the training front, the data held the biggest surprises:

"I was surprised to see that there is no real difference between those who work permanently in the organization and occasional volunteers."

commented one of the participants, underlining how much more solid preparation was expected from the internal staff of the organizations.

This limited knowledge often translates into a lack of awareness of existing tools. The survey found that many are unaware of their organization's gender-based violence policy. FEVER participants also reported the same feedback, highlighting a lack of internal communication: "I only recently discovered that there was a gender working group in my association, but I was not aware of it.. "

Ultimately, to ensure that codes of conduct do not remain only on paper, the request that emerges forcefully from the interviews is only one: institutionalize awareness.

"All staff members and volunteers working within organisations should be able to access mandatory training from the very first moment, so that no one feels unprepared when faced with such a crucial topic.”

Being able to present the survey results and share their comments with those who are involved in youth work on a daily basis was inspiring and helpful in identifying next steps and new opportunities to share. 

During the last days of the training we had the opportunity to interview the trainers Solène Leclerc, Project Coordinator on behalf of Solidarites Jeunesse, Aneta Tomechkova sociologist and trainer expert in gender issues and non-formal education and Marine Pansu trainer and didactic designer in gender studies and European lawo.

We asked them to tell us about the origins of the FEVER project and what they believe is important to combat the phenomenon:

How did the idea for the FEVER project come about?

Solene: The idea stems from the observation that gender-based violence is deeply rooted in European societies and does not spare intercultural projects or volunteer camps. Since existing tools often lack an intercultural dimension, our goal is to build a shared understanding of concepts such as consent and safe space, so that respect becomes a universal language for participants from around the world.

Why is it important to train operators on these issues?

Solene: The FEVER project highlights how current social and legal norms are insufficient to protect against violence. As educators, we have a political responsibility to offer an alternative through non-formal education: by allowing young people to experience dialogue in safe spaces, we help them internalize new values ​​and see the world from a different perspective. Deconstructing our own certainties through human relationships is the only way to prevent violence at its root.

What is the value of non-formal education in this field and what did you discover while working on this? training?

Anet: This journey has allowed me to understand how crucial it is to find common ground towards common goals. The power of non-formal education lies in allowing people to experience it firsthand: the feedback I've received shows that a few days of training can profoundly change participants' perspectives. We are building peace one step at a time, transforming complexity into collective growth.

Any advice for youth workers dealing with this issue?

Marine P.: First: Celebrate every single step forward; The task before us is enormous, and the risk of discouragement is high. To avoid burnout, it's crucial to celebrate when someone finds the courage to correct a bad behavior. Second, develop active, non-judgmental listening skills, making room for the other person's needs without proposing immediate solutions. Finally, the final piece of advice is to learn to accept and forgive yourself, as you can't always solve everything. This brings us back to the importance of celebrating every milestone achieved. We must be aware that helping others can also have a healing effect on our own personal wounds, but this must remain a positive reflection of our commitment, not the primary goal. Our purpose remains the other person, and to do this well, we must act with humility and compassion toward ourselves.

Why raise awareness about rape culture?

Marine P.: Raising awareness is essential to breaking down the wall of silence and shame imposed by rape culture, helping those who have experienced violence to acknowledge what happened and take care of themselves. Because it is a pervasive and often invisible phenomenon, specific support is needed to help identify issues in a protected environment. Only by facing the problem head-on and breaking down isolation can we build a healthier, safer, and even sexier society based on consent and empathy.

Regarding the survey results “Prevention and management of gender-based violence within youth organizations and those working in the youth sector” Conducted by the IGnet network, we asked the trainers for their opinion on the data collected. 

What do you think about the data collected that highlights the contingency between the intercultural aspect and the occurrence of gender-based violence phenomena during international projects??

Anet: Data confirms that our culture dramatically influences our perception of reality, misunderstandings, and emotional reactions. It's not surprising to see how profoundly different points of view can be based on our roots.

Marine P.: The high level of participation in the research indicates trust in the organization. To evolve, we must now move from numbers to quality, ensuring absolute confidentiality and protected spaces for reporting. It is vital not to act alone, but to network with external professionals (psychologists and lawyers) to offer expert, multilingual support.

Solene: Cultural background influences personal space; gestures perceived as intrusive often stem from different habits, not malicious intent. The solution is prevention: collectively defining the rules of coexistence at the beginning of each project helps establish common ground and defuse conflicts before they arise.

This project has reassured us of the ongoing commitment of associations and individuals to combating and preventing gender-based violence, which is being built daily in schools and international projects. It is essential to update the way organizations operate in this sector with shared and implemented guidelines and codes of conduct. Furthermore, it is essential to strengthen civic engagement and the participation needed to force institutions to ensure the protection of our rights by adapting national laws to the European directives signed with the Istanbul Convention. 

We return home enriched with knowledge and skills, confident that change comes from the courage to engage and the ability to listen. Only by transforming our outrage into concrete action and our differences into a common language of respect can we build truly safe spaces where every young person, regardless of their background, can feel protected and welcomed. The journey toward a culture of consensus has only just begun, and we are ready to take it one step at a time.

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