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Študijski obisk spoznavanja uličnega dela na Portugalskem

2022-1-SI02-KA153-YOU-0000672802022Mobility of youth workersfinalizedGood practice
Countries: SI|PT · Grant: €17,260
Quality and innovation of youth workKey competences developmentCommunity development

Objectives

The Mlada ulica Network was established with the aim of connecting various youth organizations and street work organizations in Ljubljana and its surroundings. It unites twelve network and associated organizations. Our vision is to reach out to young people who are not included in institutional programs, recognize their challenges, needs, and desires, and provide them with appropriate support. However, with the arrival of the coronavirus, youth homelessness has deepened, and their mental health and socio-economic situation have deteriorated, as evidenced by research. Due to our desire to achieve our vision, at the end of 2021, during an evaluation meeting, the Network Mlada ulica identified the need for youth street workers to upgrade their knowledge, practices, and competencies in the field of street based youth work. The needs were primarily related to learning about good practices in youth (street) work abroad, challenges and ways of dealing with challenges that youth street workers face in their work, innovative ways of entering new environments after recognizing the competence and method of training youth street workers, becoming familiar with activities and tools they use when working with young people, and gaining specific competencies for working with vulnerable youth (those with poorer socio-economic status, drug users, and homeless youth). The project also aimed to acquire competencies for different ways of networking among stakeholders in youth street work, different understandings of street work among youth workers, which consequently affects the quality of street work, and the need for better connections between youth street workers at the European level. Based on these needs, we decided to organize a study visit in collaboration with a partner organization from Portugal that has similar goals. Together, we shared experiences, practices, and tools and learned from each other. In addition, we aimed to improve the connection between organizations at the international and local levels and to improve the quality of street based youth work. The study visit contributed to the improvement of street based youth work in both countries and to the broader recognition of street based youth workers. The participants returned with new knowledge, skills, and tools, as well as preparedness for working with young people. In addition, we improved international cooperation and networking in youth street work, which is essential for quality work with the target group. The goals we set for the project were achieved. The preparatory meeting for the 15 Slovenian participants in the study visit was successfully held in two terms. A 5-day study visit to Portuguese organizations that carry out street based youth work with young people was organized in September 2022 for 14 Slovenian and 12 Portuguese participants. The participants formulated a report on the findings and insights of the study visit after its completion. We also conducted two evaluation activities, an online evaluation questionnaire, and a final evaluation meeting. The results of the study visit were presented at the Streetstival 2022 in October 2022, 9 posts were published on online platforms in two languages (Slovenian and English) from October to December 2022. The participants of the study visit strengthened their competences and skills for better implementation of street based youth work, and gained new knowledge and experiences on good practices, approaches, and tools that they will be able to use in their work with young people. Organizations from Slovenia and Portugal strengthened their cooperation at the local and national levels, and the network of contacts between organizations at the international level also expanded. In summary, the study visit was successful, and we are satisfied with the achieved goals.

Project partners (2)