On 31 March 2025, partners from across Europe came together online for the official Kick-Off Meeting of the Paths to Peace project. This marked the exciting start of a collaboration that will empower young people to drive peacebuilding through tourism.
The meeting brought together representatives from all six project partners:
STIC (Sweden), BUR (Ukraine), HUB Nicosia (Cyprus), IIP (Austria), EUEI (Denmark), and Momentum (Ireland).
Introducing the Partners and the Vision
The session opened with introductions, allowing each organisation to share its role and motivation for joining the project. From peace education and youth work to sustainable tourism and digital learning, our diverse team brings rich experience to the table.
The project's origin story was revisited, reflecting on shared concerns about growing social division, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Partners discussed their common goal: to empower a new generation of Peace Building Advocates who use tourism as a tool for intercultural understanding and local resilience.
What We Aim to Achieve
Our shared objectives were laid out through a detailed overview of the project structure and activities. The project is built around three core phases:
- Mapping Needs and Opportunities (WP2) led by IIP
- Training and Mentorship (WP3) coordinated by BUR and HUB Nicosia
- Proposal Development and Hackathon (WP4) culminating in a showcase of youth-led peacebuilding solutions
The team also reviewed WP5 (Dissemination and Sustainability), which ensures that project results continue to grow and reach wider audiences long after the project ends.
Tools, Templates and Next Steps
Important resources were introduced, including the P2P Dropbox Folder (our shared workspace) and the Project Handbook. MMS, who leads on project quality, explained how activities will be monitored through brief quarterly surveys to support continuous improvement.
We also reviewed how the lump sum budget will be managed, with reporting based on deliverables and impact, rather than detailed financial documentation.
Momentum presented early designs for the project logo and visual identity. While a final decision is still pending, partners provided feedback and agreed to vote via an online poll. Suggestions included making sure the tourism element is clearly reflected in the tagline.
Looking Ahead
The first in-person Transnational Project Meeting is planned for 7–8 May in Austria, hosted by IIP. It will be a key moment for finalising the WP2 methodology, launching the first activities, and taking our collaboration from digital to real life.
The Kick-Off Meeting set the tone for an inclusive, action-oriented partnership, focused on creating meaningful opportunities for youth to contribute to peacebuilding across Europe and beyond. Stay tuned as we take the next steps together on the Path to Peace.