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What we do

Our four strategic areas explain how BACKSLASH turns its mission into action, from widening opportunities for young people to strengthening learning, collaboration and evidence-based practice.

The challenges young people face cannot be addressed through isolated activities. Access to opportunities, the quality of learning, collaboration between organisations and the ability to learn from evidence all influence one another. Our Strategic Plan for 2026-2030 brings these elements together in four connected strategic areas that guide every project, partnership and initiative we undertake.

The challenges we take on

Young people are growing up in a rapidly changing social, technological and environmental context. These challenges shape both the opportunities available to them and the way youth work needs to respond.

  • A critical and human approach to artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday learning and participation. We work to help young people and professionals use these technologies critically, responsibly and in ways that strengthen, rather than replace, human relationships and learning.
  • Critical thinking in an age of disinformation. Polarisation, manipulation and online hate affect democratic participation and social cohesion. We strengthen critical thinking, media literacy and meaningful opportunities for dialogue and participation.
  • Emotional wellbeing. Young people’s wellbeing is increasingly shaped by uncertainty, inequality and digital environments. We address emotional wellbeing through preventive, educational and participatory approaches.
  • Sustainability beyond greenwashing. Climate action requires informed participation as much as environmental awareness. We help young people recognise misleading narratives and develop practical responses within their own communities.
  • Access for those facing the greatest barriers. Economic, geographical, educational, social and digital inequalities continue to prevent many young people from accessing learning and participation opportunities. Removing those barriers remains central to our work.

Our four strategic areas

  • Inclusion and equal opportunities

    Removing barriers so every young person can take part

    Inclusion and equal opportunities

    We work to ensure that learning and participation opportunities are accessible to young people with different realities, backgrounds and needs, particularly those who face the greatest barriers to taking part.

  • Learning and methodological innovation

    Methodologies built by young people, for young people.

    Learning and methodological innovation

    We design, test and improve participatory non-formal education methodologies that strengthen young people's competences and help professionals, organisations and public authorities improve their practice.

  • Collaboration and youth participation

    Connecting people, organisations and opportunities

    Collaboration and youth participation

    We build collaboration across local, national, European and international contexts, creating partnerships that expand opportunities, strengthen youth work and connect learning across sectors and territories.

  • Evidence, validation and impact

    Learning from evidence, improving through practice

    Evidence, validation and impact

    We evaluate what changes, validate what we develop and use evidence to improve our work, demonstrate its value and help others build on what has been learned.

Thematic priorities

Our strategic areas describe how we work. Our thematic priorities describe where we apply that approach. Together they allow us to respond to emerging challenges while maintaining a consistent long-term direction. They are reviewed periodically and adapted.

  • Art and culture as educational tools. Supporting participation, creativity and social transformation.
  • Critical thinking and media literacy. Addressing disinformation, hate speech, propaganda and manipulative narratives.
  • Digital transformation and the human use of technology. Including artificial intelligence, digital youth work and digital competences.
  • Educational innovation and the transfer of non-formal education. Particularly within higher education, vocational education and training, and other learning environments.
  • Employability, future skills and social entrepreneurship. Building opportunities that combine inclusion, innovation and community impact.
  • Inclusion, diversity and equal opportunities. Removing barriers affecting young people with social, economic, geographical, educational or digital disadvantages.
  • Mental and emotional wellbeing. Approaching from a preventive and educational perspective.
  • Participation, democracy and human rights. Strengthening democratic values and meaningful youth participation.
  • Personal, social and intercultural competences. Developing communication, collaboration, autonomy and lifelong learning.
  • STEM, digital learning and technological innovation. Making technology accessible, critical and relevant to young people’s lives.
  • Sustainability and climate action. Supporting climate education, resilience, green entrepreneurship and the fight against greenwashing.

See a connection with your work?

We are always open to exploring new collaborations, bringing complementary expertise together and turning shared ideas into meaningful action.

Partner with us