Hope For Children has long championed the rights and well-being of young people, reminding us that charity is about more than giving - it’s about creating opportunities, protection, and hope for the next generation. On this International Day of Charity, our mission resonates deeply with the work of young people across Europe who are redefining generosity in a uniquely personal way.
Every year, on September 5, the world marks the International Day of Charity. A moment to reflect on generosity in its many forms. Usually, we associate charity with donations, fundraising events, or humanitarian aid. But for a growing number of young people across Europe, charity looks a little different.
It might be staying after school to lead a workshop on hate speech. It could mean challenging a friend’s discriminatory remark, even when it risks social tension. Or spending weekends mapping hate incidents in their community so others feel less alone. These aren’t high-profile actions. And they rarely make headlines. But they matter, and they’re happening every day.
Through the project Hate Trackers Into Action, young activists aged 19 to 28 are redefining what it means to give. Their contribution is not material, but social, emotional, and deeply personal.
Giving Time, Not Just Money
One of the defining aspects of this project is the way it centers youth as leaders, not just participants. After receiving intensive training in Italy and their home countries, these young people form local activist groups (SGYGs) in areas where hate speech is particularly visible, both online and offline.
These groups don’t work from theory alone, but they meet with peers, youth workers, and community members to understand what hate looks like in everyday life. They listen. They map. They act. Their time becomes their most valuable resource.
And in a climate where public discourse is often filled with polarisation, misinformation, and growing tolerance for discriminatory language, this kind of steady, relational work is essential. It’s not loud, but it’s deeply impactful.
Charity as Civic Responsibility
There’s a growing awareness, especially among young Europeans, that hate speech is not only a human rights issue. It’s also a democratic one. When hate goes unchecked, it creates fear. And fear keeps people silent.
By standing up to hate, young people are choosing to stay involved in shaping their communities. That in itself is an act of civic responsibility. It’s also a form of generosity: protecting someone else’s dignity, even when your own isn’t being directly threatened.
Many of the youth involved in Hate Trackers Into Action report that their work starts with simple acts, like talking to a friend, sharing a story, or translating workshop materials so others can access them. These are not large-scale campaigns. But they chip away at something larger: indifference.
Why This Work Matters on the International Day of Charity
The idea behind the International Day of Charity is simple: acts of kindness, no matter how small, strengthen the fabric of our communities.
The Hate Trackers Into Action project shows how this principle applies beyond material support. Kindness can be structural. It can be organised. It can look like a youth-led group gathering in a small town hall to plan a response to racist graffiti. It can sound like a group discussion where everyone is heard.
Charity, in this context, is not just an occasional event, but a daily practice of protecting others' rights as if they were your own.
Looking Forward: A Call for Recognition and Support
If these efforts are to grow, they need more than admiration - they need support. Youth workers, educators, and decision-makers have a role to play. Create safer spaces. Listen to the youth when they say something feels wrong. Offer funding and platforms that prioritise social inclusion over token participation.
And for those wondering what they can do today, on the International Day of Charity, perhaps the most important question is this:
What would it mean to treat the fight against hate speech as an act of generosity, not just resistance?