Skills for Life in the Real and Digital World

October 12, 2026 YMI News

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒅𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆’𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒔, 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆?

CARE is working to update Program Y to reflect the changing realities of young people, with a particular focus on the digital environment and its influence on gender norms, relationships and behaviours. Through a Participatory Learning and Action (PLA) process, young people shared their experiences, attitudes and dilemmas, contributing not only as research participants but also to the interpretation of findings. The research confirms that gender norms continue to shape young people’s everyday lives, influencing their relationships, expectations and understanding of masculinity and femininity. Social media, peer pressure and online content increasingly reinforce these norms, highlighting the importance of integrating a digital component into Program Y. The findings also underline the importance of gender-sensitive facilitation in participatory work, as group dynamics can sometimes reinforce harmful attitudes rather than challenge them. The results will inform the further development of Program Y’s curriculum, methodology and workshop tools, strengthening CARE’s efforts to support young people in questioning harmful gender norms and building more equal relationships.

Project is funded by Marie Ebert Stiftung in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia implemented by CARE Balin partnership with CARE Balkans, and youth organizations selected through a competitive process.