The URBANUS-19 project aims to support vulnerable young people (VYP) while facing social challenges increased by Covid crisis and to empower them with the skills to portrait and overcome vulnerability experiences through the arts. We will create a “cubist self-portrait of today’s society” through multiple artistic expressions. Implemented by 5 partner organisations in 4 EU countries. The project will also contribute to the development of artistic, civic and social potential in their communities and especially in urban areas. OBJECTIVES - Implementing “Artistic Resistances” - through Art Installations, Community Theatre and Documentaries Reportage - bringing together young people in 4 partner countries by telling their stories related to the pandemic and neighbourhood; - Creation of exhibition spaces in partner countries to display participants’ creations, hold performances and collect feedback by the audience and wider public; - Staff training on participatory methodologies and creativity in youth work; - Showcase the situation of the neighbourhood environments during the pandemic by triggering artistic creation processes, also addressing topics such as social inclusion, European citizenship and cultural awareness of citizens and in particular young people; - Promoting contemporary artistic creation as a tool for analysis on social issues, leading to participatory and intercultural dialogue and connecting educational institutions, organisations from social and cultural sectors and young people; - Enhancing participants’ and staff’s socialisation skills and resilience in reaction to Covid-19 crisis through the arts, while gaining tools and competencies necessary to find creative and innovative solutions to face unprecedented social challenges. In particular, the URBANUS-19 will develop: - 1 Handbook on Participation Methodologies in youth work; - 1 Toolkit on Creativity in youth work; - 1 P&C Online Platform for trainers and young people; - 1 Blended Hackathon Framework - “Hack on Arts”. TARGET GROUPS The project targets Vulnerable Young People (VYP) particularly exposed to Covid crisis in terms of social exclusion and lack of labour, creativity and socialisation opportunities, especially in urban areas. Specific sub-groups to be addressed by each partner: VYP with a migration background, young people exposed to cyberbullying, young Roma people and NEETS, young women experiencing social/labour/education exclusion. NEEDS ANALYSIS The COVID-19 health emergency has severely limited the recreational and participatory opportunities of young people outside the home both at European and at the local level. These limitations are a common problem for all countries participants in URBANUS-19, accompanied by the suspension of all educational activities in the presence, thus preventing the regular development of the potential of young people deriving from the development of experiences outside the family context. URBANUS-19 intends to implement interventions, experimental and innovative, for the empowerment of young people, in compliance with indications provided by the various European governments on the safe reopening of participatory and recreational activities. PROJECT PARTNERSHIP Project leader, Orizzonti Social Cooperative (Italy), delivers social and cultural services for the inclusion of young people -some of them with a migration background. Our second Italian partner, Associazione Girotondo, is committed to providing digital and media education for young people, even in cooperation with schools. Our partners from Germany, the Euro-Med Youth Federation (EMYF), is composed of youth initiatives, NGOs, workers and activists in the field of youth empowerment and sustainable development, committed to fostering cooperation in Euro-Mediterranean countries. Moreover, a Romanian partner, Fundatia Professional, equally committed to fostering social inclusion of youth, women with special needs and Young Roma people. Lastly, the partnership includes one organisation from Slovenia, DRPDNM that carries out activities for the inclusion of Roma youth and NEETS as well as for stimulating civil dialogue. TRANSNATIONAL DIMENSION This joint work will involve partners from the 4 above-mentioned countries (Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Germany), some with a stronger background in P&C methodologies in youth work as well as in EU-funded projects and others younger in terms of experience. This transnational work will be supported by the European network organisation in the field of youth, our partner EMYF - based in Germany but also working as “network of networks” at Euro-Mediterranean level throughout its network in 40 countries. Our partner DRPDNM will also contribute to this in light of its role as the “Regional NGO Center”, targeting 1.500 NGOs and 21 Municipalities in Slovenia as well as at interregional level.
Obiettivo principale del progetto è stato di sostenere i giovani vulnerabili che affrontano le sfide sociali aumentate dal COVID e di potenziare le loro competenze e capacità per poter superare esperienze di fragilità attraverso l'arte. Il progetto mira a sviluppare delle competenze artistiche, civiche e sociali dei giovani, soprattutto quelli, che vivono nelle aree urbane. Per raggiungere questo obiettivo, il progetto ha avuto come obiettivi specifici intenzione di: - raccogliere e promuovere metodi, approcci efficaci dell'uso dell'arte ed espressione creativa in maniera consapevole e costruttiva per sviluppare le competenze nei giovani; - dare opportunità e lo spazio ai giovani per sperimentare questi approcci e quindi per migliorare loro conoscenze e capacità artistiche e non solo.
L'ideazione e la scrittura del progetto è avvenuta in un momento socialmente critico - durante il lungo periodo di COVID con tantissime preoccupazione delle conseguenze, che i momenti dell'isolamento potrebbero causare delle grave conseguenze sui giovani, nella loro fase di apprendimento e dello sviluppo sociale, interpersonale. Vedendo delle bellissime iniziative private (individuali e di gruppo) osservate, dove le persone online o sui balconi si esprimevano traverso musica o creativamente generando la gioia e emozioni, è nata l'idea di sottolineare la potenzialità, l'influenza positiva dell'espressione creativa per sostenere e incoraggiare nei giovani per superare il momento storico. E quindi era giusto a promuovere l'uso dell'arte nelle attività di educazione non formale con i giovani. Il partenariato con il progetto URBANUS19 ha proposto di lavorare sulle competenze dei professionisti e anche giovani stessi per affrontare meglio il COVID e le conseguenze post- COVID, così come altri momenti di fragilità, difficoltà con arte e partecipazione attiva.