The development of young people is unimaginable without a safe environment. Safety is not just about physical protection: it also means emotional security, trust, and a supportive setting where young people can freely grow, learn, and build relationships.
This was also highlighted by the Safety4Youth project of the Hungarian Association for Expressive Arts and Dance Therapy, implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme, and recently featured in RTL Reggeli with insights from our experts.
“Young people can only truly express themselves in a safe environment”
In the RTL Reggeli discussion, youth expert Alexandra Vinczi and Réka Révay, head of the Safety First! project, emphasized that young people’s self-expression and development can only fully unfold in an environment where they experience both physical and emotional safety. The project aims to support professionals and organizations in creating such settings with practical guidance and tangible tools.
What does Safety4Youth offer?
The Safety4Youth platform is a free, multilingual knowledge base (including Hungarian). The resources available are designed to support the daily practice of youth work:
Research and recommendations for safer youth work,
Practical guides for youth workers,
“Safe Spaces, Strong Foundations” handbook, which provides step-by-step guidance on how to create a supportive environment.
Why is this especially needed now?
Today’s young people face challenges that demand quick adaptation, flexibility, and a stable background. A lack of safety hinders learning, self-confidence, and community connections. Creating a safe environment is therefore not a luxury, but a fundamental requirement—both in education and in community programmes.
How can we build safe environments?
Learn from research: Safety4Youth materials provide a scientific foundation.
Use the handbooks in practice: during programmes, trainings, and community activities.
Foster cooperation: partnerships between schools, NGOs, and local governments can multiply impact.Safety can be learned and taught. By consciously integrating it into youth work, we can ensure that every young person has an environment where they feel valued and can develop freely.
Public dialogue combined with professional tools creates a future where young people not only live in safety but can truly flourish.
Explore the project’s resources: safety4youth.com/resources
