European youth work should breathe with both lungs
Tomasz Bratek
Eastern Europe and Caucasus ()
The youth sector in the region began to grow significantly.
When SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus was established in 2003, the region was undergoing significant political and social transformations. Countries were emerging from periods of instability and seeking to integrate more closely with European structures. The youth sector was in its infancy, with many organisations lacking experience, resources, and established networks.
The challenges were manifold: building trust among diverse stakeholders, navigating political sensitivities, and addressing the lack of infrastructure for youth cooperation. However, there was also a profound sense of hope and determination.
The establishment of SALTO EECA represented a commitment to fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration between young people from the EU and its Eastern neighbours. The emotions were a mix of excitement, responsibility, and optimism about the potential impact of this initiative. Thanks to the EU’s YOUTH and Youth in Action Programmes, the youth sector in the region began to grow significantly. Many young people and organisations gained access to international exchanges, volunteering, advanced learning and training opportunities for the first time, which helped build the foundations for a vibrant youth sector.
European youth work sector to breathe with both lungs.
Saint John Paul II often said that “the Church must breath with her two lungs!” . I would say that establishing SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus allowed European youth work sector to breathe with both lungs too!
SALTO EECA was created to support youth organisations and young people in the region, helping them connect with EU youth programmes and learn from European experience of youth work development. At the same time, it offered youth workers and youth leaders from the EU a chance to explore the region and discover how cooperation could empower the young people they were working with.
It was extremely important at a time when international youth mobility was still limited and many barriers remained after the division of Europe during the Cold War. Youth work became an effective tool for civic diplomacy and partnership building. SALTO was not just about new projects — it was about building trust and understanding where divisions still existed.
Being part of SALTO, I helped design programmes, organise trainings, seminars, study visits, which created opportunities for youth leaders and youth workers to meet, exchange ideas, and see that collaboration is possible even in challenging circumstances. I also built a network of committed youth workers and organisations called the Network of Multipliers across Eastern Europe and Caucasus. Due to this Network we brought hundreds of newcomers to the field of international youth cooperation. It was a very inspirational experience!
The EU youth programmes gave young people and youth organisations tools to develop skills, expand networks, and create meaningful projects that continue to make a difference today.
I don’t think I would be the same person without my time at SALTO.
SALTO has been an incredible experience and adventure. Professionally, it gave me insight into international cooperation, programme management, and how to adapt EU youth strategies to different regional and national realities. I also discovered all these differences firsthand. It was an amazing learning experience – I became fluent in Russian, learned Ukrainian, and made many friends across Europe and beyond. I don’t think I would be the same person without my time at SALTO. I have so many wonderful memories from that period!
“Together we are many, we can’t be defeated.”
Youth cooperation is unique and precious, especially in a world with so many conflicts. I hope SALTO keeps creating spaces where trust, dialogue, and understanding can thrive, proving that collaboration is possible even in difficult contexts. I also hope the EU enlargement process continues successfully, bringing countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus closer to the EU.
Above all, I hold the hope that Ukraine and Europe will prevail in the war provoked by Russia, and that young people will have the chance to rebuild, strengthen communities, and contribute to a peaceful, democratic, and united Europe. I am inspired by the words of the non-official anthem of Ukraine’s Orange Revolution in 2004, one year after the SALTO EECA was established, – „Разом нас багато – нас не подолати!” – “Together we are many, we can’t be defeated.” Europe is about being together — and this resonates with the slogan of the EU’s Eastern Partnership initiative, “Stronger Together!” — which could as well be a slogan for the SALTO Network.
Passion for European cooperation and the role of youth work in building bridges across borders.
In 2003, I was a young lawyer working in the Training and Cooperation Partnership (TCP) unit at the Polish National Agency for the EU “YOUTH” programme under the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE). I was directly involved in preparing the successful application for the European Commission’s tender that led to the creation of the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre (SALTO EECA) in Poland. We were the last regional SALTO Resource Centre launched by the European Commission to support international youth cooperation with the Neighbourhood East region. At that time, I was passionate about European cooperation and the role of youth work in building bridges across borders. This period coincided with the EU’s largest enlargement, when Poland and nine other countries joined the Union, bringing the EU closer to Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.
Since then, I’ve spent many years with the Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE), managing EU education and youth programmes, and later serving as Deputy Director General. I also served in local government in Warsaw — first as Deputy Mayor of the Middle Town (Śródmieście) District (2018–2021) and then as Vice Mayor of Warsaw (2021–2024). Since October 2024, I am President of the Municipal Investment Implementation Company of Warsaw, and, since December 2023, I have returned to FRSE as a member of its Council.
