The objectives of this project focused on youth at risk of exclusion, as well as youth workers supporting them. More specifically, the project aimed to bring about social change by enhancing at-risk youth’s emotional, physical, and mental health as well as improving their physical literacy, personal development, and social growth in order to help them take up an active role in society. To achieve this, attention was paid to enhancing at-risk youth’s skills while increasing their confidence and self-esteem through the intersection of physical activity with the arts of social circus in a friendly and supportive environment. It was foreseen that, as a result, this would allow the youth to transition into adulthood easier without the fear of exclusion, no matter their background (socio-economic, ethnic, sex/gender, etc.). The project materials were developed with the aim of helping youth workers to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge of social circus and providing them with tools for the planning and implementation of social circus learning activities for at-risk youth. The partners created materials which were tested with youth workers and youth to help build life skills needed for youth’s smooth transition into adulthood.
At-risk youth is a group that has grown in European countries in the last few years. Due to ongoing conflicts and uncertainty globally, many young people end up neglected or abandoned without adequate support, facing challenges with integration into societies. Social circus is an innovative approach based on circus arts and social pedagogy that aims to assist personal development and boost self-esteem and social competence of at-risk youth. In addition to teaching social skills such as leadership and teamwork, social circus connects people by enhancing their emotional, physical, and mental health, improving their physical literacy, personal development and social growth and, thus, helps them take up an active role in society. The CIRCUS A.C.T project was developed as a response to the gap identified in relation to the inclusion of at-risk youth in society and the common interest of both the involved partners and the general educational community in tackling the problem of social exclusion among disadvantaged youth. The need for the development of life skills as well as the creation of a safe environment where youth can grow were addressed through the activities implemented.