Diversity brings people together: Estonian Stuttering association’s international project receives recognition
Can differences bring us together and help young people find the courage to be themselves? The Estonian Stuttering association’s international youth exchange project, “Embrace Your Challenges”, showed how a supportive environment and an appreciation of diversity can help young people better understand themselves, express themselves with greater confidence and feel accepted without fear of being judged by others.
In recognition of its cooperation with Stamily and international partner organisations, the Estonian Stuttering Association received the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps Agency’s youth sector award in the category “Outstanding Promoter of Diversity”.
The project “Embrace Your Challenges” brought together young people aged 18–30 from Estonia, Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal and Romania in Kniebis, Germany, from 18 to 26 August 2025. The international youth exchange gave participants the opportunity to step outside their everyday environments, discover other cultures, challenge themselves in unfamiliar situations and find common ground in their differences.
During the youth exchange, participants had the opportunity to try their hand at writing film scripts and acting, take part in meditation sessions and learn about one another’s cultures. Through these shared activities, they discovered how differently people can experience and interpret the same things. For example, football may be an important part of a country’s culture and national identity, while elsewhere it may be seen primarily as a form of entertainment.
One opportunity to step outside their comfort zones was the workshop “Improvisation without Words”, where participants explored non-verbal expression through role-play and different scenarios. For some of the Estonian participants, performing in front of others was initially unfamiliar and challenging. It required them to try a different way of communicating and express themselves without relying on words.
As the workshop progressed, participants had the opportunity to experiment, learn from one another and discover new ways of expressing themselves. The experience showed how stepping into an unfamiliar situation can open up opportunities for personal growth.
On the final day of the youth exchange, participants delivered speeches in front of an audience they had known for just one week. For many, this was an opportunity to reflect on how far they had come during the exchange and to put their growing confidence and communication skills into practice.
Isabel’s story: discovering acceptance and a new perspective on stuttering
When Isabel Haiba (participant from Estonia) decided to spend a week in Germany at a youth exchange with other young people who stutter, she had no idea how profoundly the experience would affect her.
For the first time, she found herself in an environment where stuttering was simply accepted as a normal part of communication. Nobody gave her strange looks or seemed to wonder why she couldn’t get her words out faster. At first, this felt unfamiliar. But as the week went on, Isabel began to realise that stuttering really could be a normal part of who she was, rather than something she needed to feel self-conscious about.
As she listened to the other participants share their experiences and feelings, Isabel found something in each of their stories that she could relate to. With people she had known for only a few days, she experienced a sense of relief she had never felt before. She had the opportunity to discover who she was beyond the limitations she had associated with her stutter. The feeling was euphoric.
Towards the end of the youth exchange, a question was written on a piece of paper and put up on the wall:
“If there were a button that could make your stutter disappear, would you press it?”
By the end of the week, Isabel knew her answer: she wouldn’t.
Without her stutter, she might never have had these experiences, met these people or discovered so much about herself. For Isabel, the exchange was not about learning to hide her stutter or wishing it away. It was about finding acceptance, connecting with people who understood her experiences and discovering a new perspective on herself and her stutter.
As Isabel reflects on what the experience meant to her:
“Without my stutter, I wouldn’t have been able to experience all of this and discover myself along the way.” - Isabel Haiba
Diversity does not divide, it unites
The words of Guillaume, a participant from France, "I am no longer afraid to stutter," capture an experience that can have a far-reaching impact on a young person's life. The opportunity to meet others who understand their experience can help reduce shame associated with stuttering and strengthen self-acceptance.
The participants' experiences illustrate how a supportive international environment can help a young person reshape their attitude toward themselves, reduce shame and self-stigma related to stuttering, and find the courage to express themselves. This confirms that everyone's voice deserves to be heard, regardless of how they speak.
The shared journey showed that diversity is not an obstacle, but an opportunity to learn from one another, broaden one's worldview, and discover how much common ground can be found amid differences.
Collaboration between partners created an opportunity for change
Award-winning projects never happen alone. The partner organizations, group leaders representing them, and the entire project team contributed to the success of “Embrace Your Challenges,” helping to create a diverse, supportive, and non-formal learning environment.
Implementing the project required flexibility, attentiveness, and a willingness from group leaders to take into account each participant's individual needs. It was also necessary to find common ground across different cultures, communication styles, and work practices. These experiences offered valuable lessons not only for the young people, but also for those who planned and executed the project.
Sharing their experiences are the project partner organisations Associação Portuguesa de Gagos (Portugal), Bundesvereinigung Stottern & Selbsthilfe (Germany) and Association Parole Bégaiement (France). Their insights shed light on the challenges involved in implementing the project, what was learned from the collaboration, and how creating a supportive and inclusive environment can impact the personal development of both participants and group leaders.
Group leader Fábio Carvalho, Representative of the Portuguese partner organisation Associação Portuguesa de Gagos
Fábio Carvalho noted that one of the biggest challenges was noticing the different needs of the participants and adapting the program so that everyone felt comfortable and safe throughout the youth exchange.
“People can belong to different cultures and societies but when given space and find something in common it is easy to connect” - Fábio Carvalho
One of his most important lessons was that people from different cultural and societal backgrounds can find a common language when given the opportunity to meet, get to know one another, and share their experiences in a shared space. This experience reinforced for him how important it is to create a safe and supportive environment where one is accepted just as they are.
According to Fábio, the impact of the project is most clearly reflected in the feeling with which the young people return home, knowing that they can boldly be themselves and take their rightful place in the world.
Group leader Lukas Gehrmann, Representative of the German partner organisation Bundesvereinigung Stottern & Selbsthilfe
Lukas Gehrmann’s biggest challenge was transitioning from a participant in 2024 to a youth leader. Throughout the project, he realized that every young person has their own needs and personal development path. Therefore, good guidance means taking each young person's individual needs into account and supporting their personal growth.
“As a Youth leader, I learned that my role isn’t to control the outcome or progress, but to support, encourage and give people the space to find their own path towards personal growth.” - Lukas Gehrmann
The impact of the project was reflected in the growing confidence and self-understanding of the young people from Germany. One participant shared how the youth exchange helped them understand their fear of exclusion and gradually arrive at the realization that belonging does not need to be earned.
In the case of other participants, changes extending beyond the youth exchange were also noticeable, such as increased independence and a desire to continue contributing to projects as volunteers.
Group leader Martin Jandet, representative of the French partner organisation Association Parole Bégaiement
Martin Jandet highlighted different mindsets and interpersonal relationships as the biggest challenge. His most important lesson was sharing tasks in teamwork.
According to Martin, the project had a significant impact on the participants from France, helping them develop self-confidence and change their attitude towards their stuttering and everyday life.
“The project definitely changes most participants' lives. All French participants have had big impacts not only on their way of dealing with their stuttering but mostly on their everyday lives, confidence, projects.” - Martin Jandet
The partner experiences showed that organizing an inclusive youth exchange requires flexibility, cooperation, and a willingness to adapt activities to the participants' needs. The role of group leaders is not to determine what outcome a young person must reach, but to offer them support and the opportunity to find their own path of development. The experiences of both young people and group leaders confirmed that the lessons of the project extend far beyond the week of the youth exchange.
Marit Lepp: A safe environment helps people open up
According to Marit Lepp, the international relations coordinator of the Estonian Stuttering Association and the Estonian group leader, the most important part of a youth exchange is not just the activities, but what happens between people during them.
Workshops help build bridges between different cultures and nationalities. For Marit, it was particularly meaningful to see how participants who were initially more reserved gradually became more open and began to trust one another more.
“We do this work with our heart, and I believe that is what has the greatest impact,” says Marit.
To other Erasmus+ project organizers, she recommends being open, noticing one another, and being adaptable.
“Mountains are conquered as a team.” – Marit Lepp
Inclusion begins with noticing every individual
Promoting diversity is not limited to articulating values; it is reflected in our daily actions and choices. Do we listen to the other person? Do we consider their needs and give them time and space for self-expression? Do we help them feel welcome and included?
It is through such small yet meaningful actions that a more inclusive society is formed, where everyone has the opportunity to be themselves and feel that their voice matters.
The recognition “Outstanding Promoter of Diversity” is a great honor for the Estonian Stuttering Association NGO and a meaningful acknowledgment of the collective work of the entire project team, Stamily and international partner organizations.
“This inspires us to continue working so that differences are not seen as an obstacle, but as a value” - Marit Lepp
Partner organisations:
Belgische Stottervereniging B.S.V. Belgiast
Associação Portuguesa de Gagos Portugalist
Bundesvereinigung Stottern & Selbsthilfe Saksamaalt
Association Parole Bégaiement Prantsusmaalt
Laura Lascău - group of young people Rumeeniast
Article author:
Marit Lepp
International relations coordinator and project manager
Eesti Kogelejate Ühing NGO
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