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Engage! Harvesting Biography for Social Impact

2019-2-UK01-KA105-0623542019Youth mobilityfinalized
Countries: UK|MK|EL|IT|ES · Grant: €87,398.21
Health and wellbeingRural development and urbanisationCivic engagement / responsible citizenship

Objectives

The main objective of this project was to learn about self-efficacy; that each individual can set their own goals and find ways to achieve them, but furthermore can co-create social and community life for a greater common good - smart, sustainable and inclusive growth as outlined in 'Europe 2020' strategy. This project helped young adults to find their place in society by combining self-development and community engagement. We approached this through an understanding of human growth based on our own biographical development. The objective of biographical work was to understand where we come from, where we are now, what strengths we can find in our lives and how we can be rooted in our past (e.g. family, culture) whilst becoming creators of our future. This project offered a sense of direction to young people and their communities; based on a set of values fundamental to the EU, such as "respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities" as stated in the 'Erasmus+ Programme Guide' document (pg 21) and critically challenged unhealthy belief systems and behaviour. Its purpose was to empower young adults wanting to have an impact in the world by creating a safe space to reflect on their biography and step forward to take responsibility for living a fulfilled life; identifying core heartfelt issues and turning them into meaningful and realistic projects. Participants learnt to understand the concept of self-efficacy and self-actualisation and how biographical forces foster or hinder these. They were introduced to resilience as a way to stay healthy and learn what is required for self-sustainability. Both resilience and sustainability were put in a larger context; that of communities. Living a more purposeful life (self-actualisation) was introduced as an important driver for individual wellbeing. The role of community in individual development was critically appraised. The aim of this project was to help participants to understand that self-efficacy is best framed when we understand human needs (such as addressed in Maslow's hierarchy of needs and subsequent extensions) and how these develop and are expressed at different ages throughout our lives. Self-efficacy was extended to social groups and communities. It was addressed that identity, belief systems and being able to critically appraise the challenges and opportunities that life provides are of equal importance for individuals as well as communities. This is why reflecting on our biographies was extended from the individual one to that of a community (a social group, neighbourhood, village, city and even region) and looking at their potentials (resources, opportunities, challenges and shortcomings). By learning to understand their own needs and gifts, as well as being able to engage themselves in a process to bring to light community needs and resources, participants were supported to find their place in their communities.

Project partners (9)