SALTO strengthened my passion and vision for youth empowerment
Henar Conde
Youth Initiatives (Bruxelles)
A pioneering moment to shape a new generation of youth initiatives.
Back in 2003, Youth Initiatives were not as popular as other actions of the Youth Program, such as Youth Exchanges or European Voluntary Service (EVS). Many young people were either unaware of the opportunities available or not engaged enough to participate. The main barriers were faced by youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those from low-income families, rural areas, and marginalized communities. Beyond the unequal access to information, there was a general lack of training and mentorship for young people with innovative ideas.
Despite these challenges, there was a strong sense of hope and optimism. We believed that with the right structures and support, the incredible potential of young people across Europe could be unlocked.
To strengthen the visibility and development of Youth Initiatives, a new SALTO Resource Centre was created in 2003 at the Francophone National Agency in Belgium. I had a good working relationship with the Director of this Agency, who was very committed to promoting youth initiatives. As a result, I was offered the opportunity to take on the challenge of launching the new SALTO.
At the time, the youth participation sector was full of energy but lacked sufficient training and support. National Agencies were eager to involve young people in initiatives, but resources, guidance, and recognition were often missing. Despite the obstacles, the atmosphere was a mix of excitement, urgency, and determination. It felt like a pioneering moment, full of opportunities to shape a new generation of youth initiatives. There was a vibrant energy, fueled by the conviction that Youth Initiatives could help young people to develop life skills and become active contributors to their communities.
Targeted support, training, and networking opportunities.
The creation of SALTO Youth Initiatives was driven by the goal of empowering young people and encouraging their active participation in society. We saw a clear need to support youth-led ideas by providing resources, guidance, and opportunities to bring their projects to life. It was (and still is) a way to foster creativity, initiative, and civic engagement among young Europeans.
Focusing on youth initiatives was important because it helped young people become active architects of their own futures. By setting up a dedicated SALTO Resource Centre, we offered targeted support, training, and networking opportunities, making sure that young people from all backgrounds had the tools and inspiration to achieve their goals.
As a coordinator, I contributed to the strategic development, visibility, and accessibility of Youth Initiatives. Through building partnerships, creating tailored support materials, and leading training activities, I have been proud to help expand the SALTO’s impact. It has been incredibly rewarding to see our efforts empower so many young people to become active, engaged citizens in their communities and across Europe.
Energy, creativity, and dedication.
Being part of SALTO Youth Initiatives has been an incredibly enriching experience, both personally and professionally. Personally, it allowed me to grow in confidence, deepen my intercultural understanding, and strengthen my belief in the impact of non-formal education. Working closely with National Agencies, European trainers, and other SALTO Resource Centres inspired me by showing the energy, creativity, and dedication of everyone involved in supporting and training young people. It reaffirmed my belief in the power of youth participation, intercultural exchange, and collaboration to build a more inclusive society.
Professionally, SALTO helped me develop essential skills such as project management, strategic planning, leadership, and international cooperation. It also allowed me to build a strong network across Europe, broaden my perspective on youth work, and contribute to developing innovative practices in the field.
Overall, my experience with SALTO has been a valuable learning journey that strengthened my passion and vision for youth empowerment, both locally and across Europe.
Today, I'm leading an entrepreneurial project that connects Indonesian and Spanish cultures.
I’m Henar Conde. I was working as a trainee at the European Commission when the idea to create a new SALTO to promote youth initiatives was launched. Both the traineeship and the PhD I was pursuing at the time were focused on Action 3 of the Youth Program (Youth Initiatives), so I had a good understanding and some experience working with National Agencies on the challenges of implementing this action.
Today, I work in Spain, leading an entrepreneurial project that connects Indonesian and Spanish cultures: an academy for Spanish children and teenagers to learn English online, taught by a team of Indonesian teachers based in Yogyakarta.
