Working Women's Struggle with Stress - Creating Lasting Impact: Reflection, Empowerment, and Shared Learning

The Erasmus+ Mobility of Youth Workers project “Working Women's Struggle with Stress” (Project No. 2023-2-TR01-KA153-YOU-000167767) was held in Eskişehir, Türkiye, from 15–21 October 2024.

Participants deepened their emotional awareness through mindfulness and reflection exercises designed to improve inner calm and concentration. Guided relaxation sessions encouraged them to focus on positive emotions using meditation techniques and breathing exercises, allowing participants to experience mental clarity and emotional balance. Their personal development was further measured through the internationally recognised Expression of Emotions Scale, which enabled participants to compare their progress throughout the mobility and better understand how their ability to express emotions had evolved. The evaluation process provided valuable insights into the project's impact while encouraging self-reflection and critical thinking.

The mobility also focused on sharing knowledge beyond the project group through dissemination and community engagement. Participants designed promotional materials and organised a Yoga Rehabilitation Workshop for Working Women, where local stakeholders learned about workplace mobbing, its causes, stages, and practical approaches to prevention and rehabilitation. Discussions highlighted the positive role of yoga, meditation, and emotional awareness in improving workplace well-being and supporting women facing psychological pressure. Through these activities, participants strengthened their presentation, facilitation, and public communication skills while increasing community awareness of healthier and more inclusive working environments.

Interactive learning continued through teamwork activities, stakeholder visits, and intercultural exchange. The “King's Key” challenge strengthened communication, cooperation, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities in a playful setting, while visits to local stakeholders allowed participants to exchange experiences directly with professionals working on women's well-being. The programme also celebrated the rich cultural heritage of Latvia and Türkiye, introducing participants to traditional clothing, music, folk poetry, cuisine, and customs. These cultural presentations encouraged mutual respect, intercultural dialogue, and appreciation of Europe's cultural diversity while reinforcing Erasmus+ values of inclusion and solidarity.

The mobility concluded with a creative evaluation process in which participants reflected on both the challenges and achievements they experienced throughout the project. Using the innovative "stress budget" method, they assessed how different learning experiences influenced their personal and professional development and discussed the competencies they had gained through Youthpass. By combining emotional reflection, community outreach, intercultural learning, and collaborative evaluation, the project equipped youth workers with practical tools to foster healthier workplaces, empower women, and promote well-being through international cooperation.