BIG Project v.II: Bridging Inclusion and Integration Gaps in Cyprus

A New Chapter of the BIG Project Begins

At YESOLP, we are excited to begin a new chapter of one of our most meaningful youth initiatives: BIG Project v.II – Bridging Inclusion and Integration Gaps.

Supported by the European Solidarity Corps, BIG Project v.II builds directly on the experiences, lessons and community connections developed through the first BIG Project. It responds to something we have consistently heard from young people in Cyprus: inclusion is not only about being welcomed into a community. It is also about having access to opportunities, feeling confident enough to participate, developing the skills to move forward and having spaces where you can connect with others. BIG Project v.II therefore brings together empowerment, employability, mental wellbeing, creative expression, co-mentoring and intercultural dialogue in a year-long journey designed primarily for migrant youth while remaining open and relevant to local young people experiencing their own social and economic challenges. Our aim is simple but ambitious: to support young people in becoming more confident, connected and prepared to participate fully in the social and professional life of Cyprus.

Why BIG Project v.II?

BIG Project v.II did not begin with assumptions about what young people need.

It began by listening. Through the first BIG Project, YESOLP brought together local and migrant youth to promote inclusion, mutual understanding and empowerment through dialogue, non-formal education and intercultural activities. The experiences of that project showed us what was working, but they also revealed areas where more support was needed. A needs assessment involving 82 young people highlighted several recurring priorities. Young people told us they wanted more practical support to understand the labour market, prepare their CVs, search for employment and approach interviews with greater confidence.Mental health, confidence and emotional wellbeing were also identified as important. For some young migrants, the process of adapting to a new society can involve isolation, uncertainty, cultural differences and difficulties finding the right support networks.

We also learned that accessibility matters. For example, young mothers, including single mothers, can be highly motivated to participate in community activities but still be excluded because they cannot access childcare. For young people with limited financial resources, transportation can also determine whether participation is realistically possible.

BIG Project v.II was designed as a direct response to these realities.

Empowerment, Integration and Co-Mentoring

At the centre of BIG Project v.II is an empowerment, integration and co-mentoring approach.

We do not want participants simply to attend workshops, receive information and leave.

We want the project to become a space where young people can learn from professionals, facilitators and experts, but also from one another.

The co-mentoring approach recognises that every participant brings knowledge and lived experience into the room. Someone who has already navigated a particular challenge may be able to support another person who is experiencing it for the first time.

Someone who receives support today may become the person supporting another young person tomorrow.Through this process, we hope to build relationships and support networks that can continue beyond individual project activities.

Who Is BIG Project v.II For?

Young Cypriots can also experience unemployment, stress, uncertainty, social exclusion and challenges entering the labour market. Bringing local and migrant youth together allows the project to address individual needs while also creating something equally important: meaningful interaction between communities. Instead of creating parallel spaces, we want to create shared ones. Spaces where people meet. Where experiences are exchanged. Where stereotypes can be questioned. Where differences are respected. And where solidarity can grow through actual human relationships.

From Employability to Empowerment: The BIG Project Journey

BIG Project v.II will unfold over 12 months, with activities designed to build progressively on one another. The journey begins with listening to young people through surveys and needs assessment, followed by a series of workshops and community activities responding to the realities identified.

Understanding the Labour Market in Cyprus

Participants will explore how the Cyprus labour market works, including employment opportunities, key sectors, rights and responsibilities, contracts, work-related legal frameworks and professional networks. Particular attention will be given to barriers migrant youth may encounter, including language, recognition of qualifications and workplace discrimination.The purpose is not simply to tell young people where to find jobs. It is to help them better understand the environment they are entering and become more informed and confident when navigating it.

CV & Personal Profile Development

Knowing your strengths is one thing. Communicating them effectively to an employer is another. Participants will receive practical support to develop and improve their CVs, identify their skills and achievements and understand how applications can be adapted for different professional contexts. The activity will also introduce professional online presence and LinkedIn, helping participants begin thinking about how they represent themselves professionally both offline and online.

Effective Job Search Strategies

The project will then move from preparing a professional profile to actively searching for opportunities. Participants will explore job-search platforms in Cyprus, networking, employer expectations, professional outreach and strategies for identifying suitable opportunities.

They will also work practically on their LinkedIn profiles, including headlines, descriptions of skills and experience, achievements and professional visibility. The objective is to move participants from simply asking, “Where can I find a job?” towards understanding how to approach the job market strategically and proactively.

Interview Skills & Confidence Building

Getting an interview is only part of the journey. Being able to communicate your value confidently can make the difference. Through role-playing, mock interviews and practical exercises, participants will explore common interview situations, communication techniques, body language, managing stress and presenting their experiences authentically.

Confidence-building will be integrated throughout the activity because employability is not only about possessing skills. It is also about recognising those skills and learning how to communicate them.

Looking Beyond Employment

BIG Project v.II recognises that integration and empowerment cannot be reduced to employment alone. A person may have an excellent CV while still experiencing isolation.

Someone may understand how to search for jobs while struggling with confidence.

Another person may need opportunities to process experiences, connect with others or simply feel that they belong. This is why BIG Project v.II combines professional development with mental wellbeing, experiential learning, creative empowerment and social inclusion.

Experiencing Inclusion and Inequality

One of the project's experiential activities will invite participants to explore how different circumstances can influence the opportunities available to people.

Through an adapted Privilege Walk methodology, participants will reflect on factors such as migration background, socioeconomic circumstances, gender and experiences of discrimination. The activity will be followed by facilitated reflection and discussion, transforming the exercise from an experience into an opportunity to develop empathy and consider how we can contribute to more inclusive communities. By organising the activity in an open community setting, the project will also bring conversations about inequality, privilege and inclusion beyond the traditional workshop room.

Co-Mentoring for Mental Health and Integration

Mental wellbeing will form another important part of the BIG Project v.II journey.

Through co-mentoring, workshops and supportive group spaces, participants will have opportunities to explore themes including stress management, confidence, cultural adaptation, conflict resolution, resilience and balancing personal, social and professional responsibilities.Particular attention will be given to the realities experienced by migrant youth and young mothers.The purpose is not to treat young people as problems that need to be solved.Instead, we want to strengthen their capacity to recognise their own resources, seek support when necessary, learn from others and build supportive relationships within their communities.

Creativity for Healing and Expression

BIG Project v.II will also use art and creativity as tools for empowerment.

Our Art Empowerment activity will provide a safe environment where participants can explore their experiences, challenges, strengths and aspirations through creative expression.

Art can sometimes communicate what words cannot.It can help someone visualise where they have come from, recognise the strength it took to get there and imagine where they want to go next.Participants do not need to be artists or have any previous creative experience.There is no perfect drawing.There is no "correct" artwork.The value lies in the process of creating, reflecting and, when participants feel comfortable, sharing.Through this approach, creativity becomes a tool for personal reflection while simultaneously creating opportunities for empathy and connection between participants.

Removing Barriers to Participation

We believe that saying “everyone is welcome” is not enough if practical barriers still prevent people from entering the room. The first BIG Project taught us an important lesson about accessibility. Some young mothers wanted to participate but could not because they had no safe childcare option. Other participants faced transportation difficulties or financial barriers that made attending activities challenging. BIG Project v.II therefore incorporates practical inclusion measures.Where necessary and possible within the project, these include childcare support during key activities, transportation assistance, accessible venues, language support and flexible formats combining physical and online participation. Activities will take place across Nicosia, Larnaca and Limassol, alongside selected online opportunities. For us, inclusion is not simply about who an activity targets. It is about whether the people we want to reach can actually participate.

Working Together for Greater Impact

BIG Project v.II also recognises that meaningful community change cannot happen in isolation. Throughout the project, YESOLP will collaborate and engage with organisations and community stakeholders that work closely with migrants, refugees and young people in Cyprus. The project foresees cooperation with organisations and stakeholders including MIHub, UNHCR and Generation for Change, particularly through outreach, sharing expertise, contributing to selected activities and connecting opportunities with the communities that can benefit from them. Through these collaborations, BIG Project v.II seeks to connect grassroots youth work with wider support networks and professional expertise.

Learning Through Participation

BIG Project v.II is rooted in non-formal education.

Participants will not simply sit through presentations.They will discuss. They will practise. They will work together. They will participate in simulations and case studies. They will create.They will reflect. And they will learn from each other's experiences.

Learning and personal development will be documented throughout the project. Core participants and project team members actively involved throughout the journey will have opportunities for recognition through Youthpass, while participants attending individual activities will receive Certificates of Participation.The aim is to recognise not only professional skills, but also personal, social and civic competences developed through participation.

Towards a More Inclusive Cyprus

Ultimately, BIG Project v.II is about more than seven workshops. It is about the kind of community we want to help build. A community where a young migrant can access the information and confidence needed to pursue professional opportunities. Where a young mother does not automatically have to choose between caring for her child and participating in an empowerment activity. Where local and migrant young people have opportunities to meet beyond stereotypes. Where conversations about mental wellbeing can happen without shame. Where creativity becomes a means of expression. Where young people can find mentors, peers and networks. And where someone who has been supported can eventually become a source of support for someone else. This is the ripple effect we want BIG Project v.II to create.

Sharing the Journey

Throughout the project, YESOLP will document and share activities, learning experiences, participant stories and project outcomes through our website and social media platforms.

The journey will culminate in a Final Conference, bringing together participants, community members, civil society organisations and stakeholders to celebrate achievements, reflect on lessons learned and continue conversations about inclusion, integration and youth empowerment in Cyprus. Project materials and resources will also remain available through YESOLP's online platforms, helping the learning generated through BIG Project v.II continue beyond the formal project period. Most importantly, we hope the connections created between participants will remain. Because the strongest outcome of a solidarity project is not always something that can be printed in a report. Sometimes it is a connection. A new opportunity.Greater confidence. A person discovering their voice.Or someone realising for the first time:“I belong here too.”

Be Part of BIG Project v.II

Over the coming months, YESOLP will announce opportunities to participate in BIG Project v.II activities across Cyprus and online.If you are a young person interested in developing your professional skills, strengthening your confidence, meeting people from different backgrounds or becoming more involved in your community, we invite you to follow the journey and join us.

BIG Project v.II – Bridging Inclusion and Integration Gaps. Empowerment. Integration. Co-Mentoring. Solidarity.Together, we are not simply bridging gaps.We are building connections that can last.

BIG Project v.II is a European Solidarity Corps Solidarity Project implemented by YESOLP – Youth Empowerment on Society and Life Pursuit.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Cyprus National Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.