Back to search

Accredited project in the field of youth

2022-1-FR02-KA151-YOU-0000614982022Mobility of young people for accredited organisationsfinalized
Countries: FR · Grant: €68,174.07

Objectives

Our main objectives in implementing these three mobility projects were to re(dis)cover youth work, to re-think youth work and to reconnect and to tie up the links between youth workers, youth work and youngsters with less opportunities who were the most to suffer from the impact of the pandemic. The primary issue we aimed to address was the adverse effects of the pandemic on youth and youth work. The pandemic and the associated safety measures, such as lockdowns and "stay at home" orders, intensified the vulnerabilities of young people in accessing their Human Rights: Right to education: Schools were closed during 2020 and partly in 2021, leading to concerns about the basic fulfillment of formal education. Approximately two-thirds of students in Europe experienced school or university closures, and two-thirds of marginalized youth believed they were learning less. The loss of informal learning, including values, competencies, and social interactions, was also a significant concern. Right to work, right to housing: Families lost jobs, and young people lost seasonal and part-time employment opportunities. About 12% of young people in Europe stopped working during the pandemic, with double that number for marginalized youth. Youth poverty increased, leading to situations of child and youth hunger. Loss of social capital: Young people lost and spent their social capital, affecting their networks and support systems. Some could not even build social capital, choosing to live with their parents instead of experiencing autonomy in student homes. Access to health services, especially mental health: The pandemic led to a rise in depression and future-related anxiety among young people. A Global Survey on Youth and COVID-19 highlighted systematic and profound effects, with 50% of young people possibly prone to anxiety or depression. Mental health and well-being issues affected two-thirds of young people in Europe, with a disproportionate impact on young women and marginalized youth. Youth work also faced challenges during the pandemic: Financial losses: More than 50% of operating grants were lost for youth organizations. Loss of social capital: Youth organizations experienced a decline in social capital due to travel restrictions, varying vaccine statuses, and uncertainties regarding project invitations and participation. NGOs lost participants, volunteers, and potential future leaders. Closure of organizations: Two member organizations in Belarus were closed down by the police between August and September 2021. In response to these challenges, our organization, Y-E-N, and its member organizations, youth workers, and the young people they serve were significantly impacted. While recognizing the emerging trend of local solidarity, we acknowledged the importance of maintaining contact with "other localities" and utilizing the know-how and networks developed at the European level. Through the accreditation process, we worked towards fostering cooperation, communication, and networking among youth organizations, not only within our member organizations but also with any local youth organization in Alsace or the Grand East region. We aimed to encourage collaboration between local communities and youth organizations to promote social inclusion and the participation of young people. The added value of having our legal seat in Strasbourg, France, was that, during European mobility projects, participants had the opportunity to visit key European Institutions—the European Parliament, Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights—which are at the heart of the democratic process in Europe. In a time when the European identity faced challenges due to border closures and competition for masks or vaccines, we believed it was crucial to reinvigorate the European spirit, not only within EU Member States but also within Council of Europe member States. The project had the following objectives, each aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic and advancing youth work for social inclusion: Demonstrating Impact: The primary objective was to showcase the impact of local and European youth work for social inclusion during and after the pandemic. Through various initiatives, we sought to illustrate the tangible contributions of youth work in fostering social inclusion. Networking and Partnerships: Another key objective was to rekindle networking projects and establish new partnerships among our member and partner organizations. The goal was to facilitate the sharing of good and innovative practices related to the social inclusion of young people at both local and European levels. Competence Development: The project aimed to enhance the competencies of participants in initiating, planning, and implementing youth-inclusive projects and social inclusion initiatives within the framework of the Erasmus+ program. This encompassed both online and offline activities to adapt to the evolving landscape. Capacity Building for Social Rights: A crucial objective was to raise the capacity of our network to advocate for improved access to social rights for all young people. This involved empowering our network to actively engage in initiatives that promote social rights and inclusivity. Informing About Opportunities: The project also focused on informing our member organizations in Europe and local youth organizations in Alsace about the opportunities presented by the future Erasmus+ program. This served as a tool to encourage youth participation and inclusion, fostering awareness about available resources and avenues. Throughout the project, these objectives guided our efforts, reflecting our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by young people and youth organizations during and after the pandemic.

Project partners (1)