Struggle and Resilience: Challenges Faced by At-Risk Youth in Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Ireland
Mini-Report Published under the BEYOND Project
Blackwater Training, in collaboration with Generation for Change CY (Cyprus) and the Open Doors Situational Centre (Bulgaria), is proud to announce the publication of a new mini-report under the BEYOND project. This report explores the lived experiences, needs, and barriers faced by at-risk youth — including migrant and refugee young people — in three European countries: Ireland, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
Through a mixed-methods research approach, the report captures youth voices from across the three partner countries, highlighting both shared and country-specific challenges. These include:
Limited access to education and employment
Inadequate mental health and wellbeing support
Housing insecurity
Discrimination and social exclusion
The findings underline the urgent need for youth-centred and community-based initiatives that can promote inclusion, build resilience, and encourage meaningful youth participation in society.
This mini-report is part of the wider BEYOND project, which is co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ programme. The project aims to strengthen supports for vulnerable and marginalised youth by building sustainable, cross-sectoral collaborations across Europe.
In Ireland, the BEYOND mini-report highlights the dual challenges faced by at-risk youth living between rural isolation and urban pressures. Young people report barriers such as limited access to mental health services, high housing and education costs, and discrimination—particularly among Travellers and migrant youth. These findings underscore the urgent need for more inclusive, youth-centred support systems that bridge rural-urban service gaps and truly reflect the lived experiences of marginalised young people.
Across Ireland, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, young people face a range of shared challenges—widespread mental health distress linked to war, racism, and social exclusion; limited access to education, especially for those over 18; and persistent language barriers. Housing remains insecure or unaffordable for many, while discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or legal status continues to shape daily experiences. Despite these realities, youth across all three countries demonstrate remarkable resilience, hope, and a strong demand for dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.
As the BEYOND project moves forward, the next phase focuses on co-designing nine practical, community-driven Roadmaps—three in each partner country. Developed with young people, local partners, and stakeholders, these Roadmaps will respond to the challenges identified in the research while highlighting local strengths and opportunities. Each will be piloted nationally to test new approaches for supporting migrant and refugee youth in areas such as mental health, education, housing, and civic inclusion. The results will be shared through public events and policy dialogues, helping to build momentum for sustainable, youth-led action across Europe.
