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YOUth Belong

2023-1-EL02-KA153-YOU-0001367712023Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: EL|PL|RO|IT|LT · Grant: €45,860
Inclusion of marginalised young peopleCommunity developmentCreativity, arts and culture

Objectives

"YOUth belong" was a project addressed at youth workers, focusing specifically on developing their capacity both on a theoretical and a practical level in working with inclusion and integration in diverse youth groups, including also minorities. The idea was derived from the Policy Framework of the EU Youth Strategy for youth policy cooperation for 2019-2027 as well as the third goal of the 11 European Youth Goals, which focuses on "Inclusive Societies”. The project engaged successfully 44 youth workers from 5 countries and managed to empower them through a Mobility Activity that included a series of non-formal learning activities and training sessions. The activity took place in Chania Crete and provided them with a safe space to exchange opinions, experiences, and expertise thus developing their capacity for working with young people from various backgrounds, especially those with fewer opportunities and of marginalized nature. The primary goal of the activity was to analyze the issue of exclusion faced by marginalized youth, explore the underlying reasons, and examine the circumstances that perpetuate this phenomenon in modern European society. The youth workers started by defining who marginalized young people are and identifying the ways exclusion manifests, aiming to equip them with a clear understanding of how to recognize such situations and assist these young individuals in becoming included. Additionally, the project provided information on current inclusion policies and strategies implemented within the European Union. After establishing a theoretical foundation for the participating youth workers, the project transitioned to a more practical phase, where participants actively discussed methods and strategies to help marginalized youth integrate into work groups, communities, or society at large. Through presentations, training sessions, and experiential activities, the youth workers developed their communication skills and other relevant competencies, enabling them to better support marginalized youth and young people facing integration challenges. Recognizing that inclusion and integration are not one-sided processes, the project also addressed the role of the receiving community or group. Youth workers learned how to create a safe and welcoming environment for inclusion, fostering a more open, understanding society that values solidarity and embraces diversity. A part of the project was dedicated to raising awareness about the exclusion, stigmatization, and discrimination that marginalized youth often face. This component aimed to inspire communities, organizations, and the broader society to embrace marginalized groups of young people and facilitate their integration. Given the ongoing issues of discrimination and stigmatization in society, the project also aimed to raise awareness about the discrimination and racism faced by marginalized youth at both local and European levels. To this end, the youth workers contributed to creating a campaign that highlighted the struggles and difficulties these young people encounter in achieving inclusion and integration in society.

Project partners (5)