Six organizations from Europe and the Mediterranean unite to challenge gender-based discrimination through storytelling, non-formal education, and community action.

Because every story deserves to be heard, six organizations from Europe and the Mediterranean have joined forces to launch “My Story – Storytelling to Combat Gender-Based Inequalities in European and MEDA Countries.”

Implemented from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2027, the capacity-building project brings together organizations from Serbia, Italy, Portugal, Morocco, Lebanon, and Egypt. With the support of the European Union, MY STORY aims to promote gender equality and strengthen the ability of youth organizations to combat gender-based discrimination and violence.

The project is coordinated by Hate Fighters Network from Serbia and implemented in partnership with Beyond Borders from Italy, FuteBola Sport from Portugal, Euro-Med EVE Maroc from Morocco, Youth Development Organization from Lebanon, and Jovesolides Egypt from Egypt.

Storytelling as a Tool for Transformation

MY STORY is built on the belief that personal experiences can inspire understanding, solidarity, and social change.

Rather than focusing only on identifying gender inequalities, the project will use storytelling to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and create space for voices that are too often ignored or silenced.

Stories can help communities understand how gender-based discrimination affects people’s education, employment, participation, safety, and everyday lives. They can also highlight courage, resilience, and the experiences of people working to create more equal and inclusive societies.

Through storytelling, participants will be encouraged to express their realities, share their perspectives, and transform individual experiences into messages that can inspire wider community action.

Strengthening Youth Organizations

One of the main objectives of MY STORY is to build the capacities of youth organizations in the partner countries.

The project will equip organizations, youth workers, and other community actors with knowledge and practical tools to address gender-based discrimination and violence through non-formal education, storytelling, and awareness-raising.

By strengthening cooperation between organizations from Europe and the Mediterranean, MY STORY will support the exchange of experience, educational approaches, and methods adapted to different national and local contexts.

This cooperation will help partner organizations improve their ability to design inclusive activities, engage young people, and develop initiatives that respond to gender-related challenges in their communities.

Empowering Young Women and Marginalized Groups

The project places particular emphasis on amplifying the voices of young women and marginalized groups.

In many communities, their experiences remain insufficiently represented in public discussions, media narratives, and decision-making processes. MY STORY aims to create opportunities for these voices to be heard across countries and communities.

By sharing real stories and encouraging participation, the project will support empowerment, self-expression, and greater awareness of the barriers created by gender stereotypes and discrimination.

Young people will not only be seen as beneficiaries of project activities. They will also contribute as storytellers, educators, campaign participants, and active agents of change.

Campaigns That Challenge Prejudice

Throughout the project, participating organizations will engage communities through campaigns designed to challenge prejudice, stereotypes, inequality, and gender-based violence.

These campaigns will use stories and awareness-raising activities to encourage dialogue and promote more respectful and inclusive attitudes.

By connecting personal experiences with wider social issues, MY STORY will help make gender inequality more visible and understandable. It will also encourage communities to reflect on how cultural expectations and stereotypes influence opportunities, relationships, and participation.

The project’s cross-border dimension will allow stories from Serbia, Italy, Portugal, Morocco, Lebanon, and Egypt to travel beyond national boundaries and contribute to a shared conversation on gender equality.

A Story Without Borders

Over two years, MY STORY will connect youth organizations and communities across Europe and the Mediterranean around a common goal: promoting equality and strengthening collective action against gender-based discrimination and violence.

The project recognizes that a story can do more than describe an experience. It can challenge assumptions, encourage someone to speak, help another person feel less alone, and inspire action across communities and continents.

With the support of the European Union, MY STORY begins a journey that will continue through October 2027.

Because your story knows no borders.

Because your voice deserves to be heard.

And because your story can become someone else’s strength.