I applied active listening techniques in a volunteer project with young people from different backgrounds. At first, I avoided rephrasing others' ideas for fear of seeming like I hadn't understood. After a few meetings, I noticed that when I repeated in my own words what someone had said, tension decreased and people felt heard. What helped me most was to stop making assumptions – for example, not assuming I knew why someone was silent. I learned to ask directly, in a calm tone, and to leave space for a response. It's not about agreeing with everyone, but about creating an environment where everyone feels safe to speak. This material gave me a concrete framework, not just general advice.