Young people today face unprecedented challenges to their mental health and wellbeing, often compounded by limited access to accurate information, appropriate support services, and safe spaces where they can voice their experiences and needs. Among these challenges, teen dating violence and school-related gender-based violence (SRGBV) remain pressing and pervasive issues, fuelled by persistent gender stereotypes, discrimination, and a lack of inclusive, evidence-based sexuality education.
Following the recommendations outlined in the Manifesto for universal access to quality Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), it is clear that CSE – when delivered in an age-appropriate, culturally sensitive manner and grounded in respect for diversity – is a powerful tool for empowering young people. It helps them build safe, respectful relationships and understand their rights and boundaries. However, access to such education remains limited. Too often, young people are left to navigate complex emotional, social, and sexual realities without the knowledge or support they need.
It is against this backdrop that we are proud to launch BOTTOM-UP TALKS, an innovative, youth-led project aimed at tackling teen dating violence and SRGBV across five European countries – Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Lithuania, and France. The project will establish counselling desks in schools and non-formal education settings, staffed by professionals trained in early detection, prevention and response to SRGBV. These desks will serve as safe, confidential spaces for young people, families, and educators to seek guidance and support.
To ensure youth are not just recipients but leaders in this work, BOTTOM-UP TALKS will form Youth Advisory Boards (YABs) in each partner country. These young advisors will co-design and deliver peer-education workshops, participate in a cross-country Youth Camp, and engage in “job shadowing” experiences to build leadership and advocacy skills.
The project also includes:
- Training for educators and experts using the REBOOT NOW methodology.
- Establishment of Sex-Ed & Wellbeing Councils, bringing together key stakeholders.
- A joint media campaign to destigmatise conversations around CSE and mental health.
- National school festivals and advocacy actions targeting public education authorities and EU institutions.
Through these multi-level interventions, we aim to:
- Reach 1,000 young people with peer-led CSE training.
- Provide direct psychological and emotional support to at least 500 young people, along with their families and school staff.
- Enhance the wellbeing of at least 300 young people through counselling and training.
- Raise awareness among 15,000+ individuals – from educators to policymakers – on the importance of CSE in preventing SRGBV.
BOTTOM-UP TALKS is more than a project – it’s a movement to place young people at the heart of the solutions to the challenges they face. By combining education, mental health support, and active youth participation, we aim to build safer, more inclusive learning environments across Europe.
As we move forward, we remain committed to working in close collaboration with schools, communities, and public institutions to ensure that the lessons we learn and the tools we develop can be adopted, adapted and sustained well beyond the life of the project.
Together, we can ensure that every young person feels safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.
About BOTTOM-UP TALKS
BOTTOM-UP TALKS – Preventing teen-dating and school-related gender-based violence and promoting psychological well-being from the bottom-up is funded by CERV-2024-DAPHNE programme.
Partners
- CESIE ETS (Italy, Coordinator)
- C.O.I.R.A.G. ETS – Confederazione di Organizzazioni Italiane per la Ricerca Analitica sui Gruppi (Italy)
- KMOP – Kentro Merimnas Oikogeneias Kai Paidiou (Greece)
- CSI – Center for Social Innovation (Cyprus)
- House of Diversity Education (Lithuania)
- FEA – Femmes Entraide et Autonomie (France)
For further information
Read more on the project fact sheet, visit www.thegendertalk.eu, follow as on Facebook and Instagram.
Contact Ruta Grigaliunaite: ruta.grigaliunaite@cesie.org.
