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LAYERS

Strengthening youth capacity through a multi-layered response to online gender-based violence

GA number:  101246206

Funded by: Erasmus Duration: 01/12/2025-30/11/2027

Challenge

Online gender based violence (OGBV) is a growing form of gender based violence across the Western Balkans, disproportionately affecting women, girls and gender diverse young people. Studies show that between one in five and two in five young women have experienced online harassment, depending on the country. Despite its prevalence, prevention and response mechanisms remain limited. Youth organisations often lack the policies, trained staff and resources needed to address OGBV effectively, while education, awareness raising and cross border cooperation on the issue remain insufficient.

As a result, many young people continue to face online violence without adequate support, protection or access to appropriate services. Addressing these gaps requires coordinated action to strengthen the capacity of youth organisations, equip youth workers with practical tools and foster regional cooperation to prevent and respond to OGBV more effectively.

Innovation

LAYERS strengthens the capacity of youth organisations, youth workers and young people to prevent and respond to online gender based violence (OGBV). Through practical tools, tailored training, mentoring opportunities and digital collaboration, the project helps organisations improve their internal practices, equips youth workers with the knowledge and skills to support young people, and encourages youth led initiatives to promote safer online environments. By combining capacity building, cross border cooperation and policy dialogue, LAYERS contributes to more coordinated and sustainable responses to OGBV across the Western Balkans.

Action

Strengthening youth organisations to address OGBV

LAYERS supports youth organisations in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro to adopt more gender-sensitive approaches through the Gender Lens Analysis Handbook, capacity-building activities and tailored support. These actions help organisations review their policies, strengthen internal practices and develop more effective responses to online gender based violence.

Equipping youth workers with practical knowledge and tools

Through a multilingual online training programme, the LAYERS Treasuretrove resource hub and reflective learning activities, youth workers gain the skills and resources needed to recognise, prevent and respond to OGBV. Peer learning and exchange opportunities encourage continuous improvement and the sharing of effective practices.

Supporting young people to drive change

LAYERS encourages youth-led action through a mentoring programme, the Exchange Hub and an International Forum bringing together young people, practitioners and decision makers. These activities support the development of local initiatives and youth-driven recommendations to strengthen prevention efforts.

Raising awareness and promoting wider change

The project increases visibility and encourages dialogue on OGBV through multilingual communication activities, including digital content, podcasts, videos, campaigns and networking events across the Western Balkans.

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 European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Project Partners

KMOP EIH
(Greece)
Coordinator
Association SPIN
(Bosnia and Herzegovina)

ACT for Society Center  
(Albania)
Center for Youth Education
(Montenegro)
Center for Counseling, Social Services and Research
(Kosovo)
CARDET
(Cyprus)

 

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