WHAT EXPERTS SAY

Keynote Collection

Bridging Competence Gaps

Empowering Young Women with Migrant Experiences through the Teens2Queens Programme

Christina Korb

Across Europe, many young women with personal or family migration experience possess valuable talents, resilience and aspirations. Yet they often encounter barriers that limit their opportunities to participate fully in education, social and civic life. These barriers are not a lack of potential, but rather a lack of equitable access to opportunities, networks and competence development.

The Erasmus+ project Teens2Queens addresses this challenge through a Competence Gap-Bridging Programme designed specifically for young women with migration experiences. Its objective is to strengthen the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to navigate an increasingly complex society while fostering inclusion, active citizenship and equal opportunities. It empowers young women with migration experiences to make their voices heard and actively shape the communities in which they live. The programme follows the European Key Competences for Lifelong Learning and focuses on three interconnected competence areas: Personal, Social and Learning to Learn, Citizenship, and Entrepreneurship. Its pedagogical approach focuses on participation and voice, it combines theoretical input with experiential learning, reflection and practical application, enabling participants to develop competences that are directly relevant to their everyday lives.

The curriculum consists of interactive learning units that address topics such as emotional awareness, self-reflection, communication, critical thinking, resilience, teamwork, democratic participation, media literacy, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking. Participants are encouraged to identify their strengths, understand their rights, make informed decisions and take an active role in their communities. Throughout the programme, learning is supported by social activites, e-learning-activities, collaborative learning and real-life scenarios, creating a safe and inclusive environment where every voice matters.

A central objective of Teens2Queens is empowerment. The programme creates opportunities for young women to reflect on their experiences, recognise their abilities and build confidence in expressing their ideas and aspirations. By strengthening self-efficacy and encouraging participation in social and democratic life, the programme helps participants become active contributors for their own futures and to their communities.

Equally important is the programme's commitment to giving voice to young women with personal and family migration experiences. Their perspectives, lived experiences and cultural diversity are recognised as valuable resources for society. Teens2Queens encourages participants to engage in dialogue, advocate for their interests and contribute to shaping inclusive communities where diversity is seen as a strength.

The Competence Gap-Bridging Programme demonstrates how a targeted, learner-centred training programme can help reduce inequalities and support meaningful social inclusion. Empowering young women with migration experiences is more than an investment in individual development. It is an investment in stronger communities, more resilient democracies and a more inclusive Europe. When young women have the confidence, competences and opportunities to make their voices heard, they become active citizens, engage in their communities and become agents of positive change. By fostering participation, dialogue and equal opportunities, projects such as Teens2Queens contribute to building societies where diversity is recognised as a strength and every voice has the opportunity to shape our shared future.