The project aims to create partnerships for creativity in the field of youth to streamline Creativity and Active European Citizenship (AEC), starting on a community level. We will reinforce the role of youth work in the construction of Europe and using methodologies focused on the development of young people through creativity and gamification. It will contribute to the development of their critical thinking connected to the right of young people to express their opinion on issues that concern them freely. We will focus on the creation of methods that encourage creativity, experimentation, and active participation locally, both online and on-site. It will include assessments of needs and acceptable practices, the usage of digital facilitation, and the creation of methods to develop the creativity and critical sense of young people. It will include a joint strategy with local authorities (municipalities, civil parishes and others) to streamline community spaces, engaging and connecting young people using Youth Work. We will create environments capable of increasing the creativity, resilience, and participation of youngsters, equipping them with tools and competencies to come up with creative and innovative solutions to unprecedented risks and societal change. We want to develop the expressiveness and creativity of young people and fight the fear of failure, fostering curiosity and active experimentation. At the same time, we want to empower Youth Workers, Leaders and Organisations to better engage youngsters using digital tools and platforms. The project is built on the foundation of the project «LINHA - Participação Juvenil em Comunidade Locais» that intended to make the voice of youth have space to be heard, through initiatives for the development of skills, awareness and consultation. The project focuses on the development of methodologies, competencies and pedagogical resources to empower community centres and NGOs in the post-COVID-19 crisis to plan and implement new strategies that can cope with similar crisis and social distancing using on-site and online dimensions. It involves a strategy of participation and continuous involvement of young people, inspired by the model of Stair of Participation Roger Hart, and the European Youth Strategy 2019 - 2027 “Involve, Connect, Empower”, with the principle of increasing the level of involvement of young people in space: 1) DISSEMINATION - Complementing the outreach of the community space in online platforms, in schools and local organisations, promoting the development of creativity and social skills of young people and allowing them to participate in the development of activities and programmes. 2) CONNECTION AND INFORMATION - The development of a methodology that fosters the engagement and active experimentation requires a presence of a Youth Worker at the site and online for the double purpose of testing the methodologies and fostering the relationship and integration of young people. It will include informal support, guidance, and information for young people in both online and on-site contexts. 3) INTEREST – Implement an annual activity plan based on the developed methodologies and the themes that are attractive to young people and based on their needs. They should have a social, cultural and recreational objective, which will have as main objectives the creation of safe spaces for self-expression, active experimentation and connection of young people to the community space. 4) ENGAGEMENT AND CONSULTATION - The promotion of regular activities, in the space related to the theme of youth participation and creativity, to empower and consult young people. It may include gamification strategies and activities that involve them as creators and volunteers, fostering experimentation, curiosity, the spirit of mutual help, belonging, citizenship and responsibility while reducing the fear of failure. 5) ADVOCATING FOR YOUTH WORK - The development of a guide for Youth Work practices based on a collection and documentation of existing practices connected to community places and NGOs and the results of a consultation of local young people. The guide will support the project partners to innovate in the context of the remaining intellectual outputs and, at the same time, advocate for innovative youth work approaches and gather support for the implementation of the developed methodologies from local authorities, policymakers and social investors. 6) ONLINE AND ON-SITE - Supporting youth workers and organisations to adapt to the post-COVID19 crisis through a MOOC aimed at developing digital competences and facilitation skills and develop community-based strategies and activities with online and offline dimensions.
The primary objective of this project was to empower young people by enhancing community centres and NGOs with innovative methodologies and tools to promote engagement in community spaces. We focused on developing methodologies, competencies, and pedagogical resources to help these organisations plan and implement new strategies for engaging youth post-COVID-19. This initiative also sought to establish partnerships for creativity, facilitating active European citizenship starting at the community level. The project significantly contributed to the development of critical thinking, particularly in relation to young people's right to freely express their opinions on issues that concern them. We created methods that encourage creativity, experimentation, and active participation locally, both online and on-site, thereby enhancing youngsters' creativity, resilience, and participation. These environments equipped youth with the necessary tools and competencies to devise innovative solutions to unprecedented risks and societal changes, fostering their expressiveness and curiosity while combating the fear of failure through active experimentation.
We applied for this project because we recognised a significant need to engage and empower young people in our community, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many feeling isolated and disengaged. The project presented an opportunity to develop innovative methodologies and tools to reinvigorate community spaces and NGOs, enhancing their capacity to support youth effectively. Specifically, it aimed to foster creativity, resilience, and active participation among young people, equipping them with the necessary skills to address current and future challenges. By focusing on developing critical thinking and encouraging expressive freedom, the project sought to empower the consortium organisations and their local associated partners to develop tools and practices to empower youth and cultivate a sense of active citizenship that could lead to meaningful societal contributions. This alignment with community needs and my professional goals to contribute to sustainable community development made my decision to apply a clear one.