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Nuoret Nuorisoseuravaikuttajat

2021-2-FI01-KA154-YOU-0000388852021Youth participation activitiesfinalizedGood practice
Countries: FI · Grant: €59,606
Community developmentDemocracy and inclusive democratic participationCreativity, arts and culture

Objectives

The aim of the project was to strengthen young people's participation in NGO activities, as well as their ability to be heard and participate in the organisation's decision-making. The idea was that in the project, regional groups would operate in a process-like manner, and according to each group's wishes, they could also take a stand on other social phenomena and issues locally, regionally or nationally. Through the project's activities, young people's understanding of democracy grows, the operating logic and administration skills of NGOs develop, and their skills in influencing and communication increase. Need of the applicant organisation: According to the strategy to be adopted by the youth club organisation in October 2021, in 2030 the youth club will be a responsible and inclusive builder of the future. One of the objectives of this strategy is to increase the participation of young people: In concrete terms, the aim is to increase opportunities for regional, national and international networking among young people. Through this project, this objective will be implemented and thus the strategy will be implemented. Increasing young people's opportunities to influence supports young people's growth into active citizenship. The growing up of the younger generations to bear responsibility, including in NGOs, is vital for their continuity. The need of young people: The young people involved in the preparation themselves said that advocacy activities in a safe group enabled joint success. The feeling of accomplishment was seen as diverse; not only as success from the point of view of operational goals, but also as success as an individual. The young people also talked a lot about the need to be seen and heard, which had been realised in the activities. However, the young people of the Young Influencers project, which is coming to an end, felt that there are still many issues in society and within the organisation where they would have the competence to create change. The young people themselves pointed out that advocacy activities can also involve young people living in sparsely populated areas/rural areas. According to the experience of today's young influencers, young people from sparsely populated areas and rural cities do not belong or are not seen enough in our society, or they are talked about as a single group that often seems one-sided and even stereotyped. This is, of course, influenced by the way the media often portrays these young people. The instructors of the previous youth group have made many observations about the need for guided and independent youth activities. The thirst for participation and the desire to organise activities for the peer group is often great. There is also a clear demand for this in different regions, especially in rural and sparsely populated areas. Together with the group, it is good to start inspiring brainstorming and make a plan and, if necessary, limit the activities. Together with the group, it is good to start inspiring brainstorming and make a plan and, if necessary, limit the activities. With their help, the implementation of the activity remains comfortable and does not grow into too much of a challenge for the group implementing it. It takes time to activate young people and come up with their own ideas. Participatory methods get you started. Time, encounters and guidance resources are reserved for planning activities.

Project partners (1)