Implementing the Imagine! project, we aimed to achieve three main objectives: 1- Improve the quality of non-formal and informal education for youth with intellectual disabilities (GDI) through the exchange of best practices among organizations and involved youth, and training youth workers (YW) on disability, inclusion, youth, active citizenship, and non-formal/informal education. 2- Empower youth and YWs by creating mixed groups of able-bodied youth (GN) and GDI. We aimed to foster inclusive environments where GDI could develop civic skills and GN could become more aware of diversity. YWs would apply learned practices in real-world settings. 3- Establish transnational coordination among entities to enhance operational capacities at European and cross-sectoral levels. This involved promoting strategic dialogue through exchanging skills and integrating socio-educational approaches and bottom-up co-design, thereby maximizing the impact of objectives and expanding organizational actions.
The Imagine! project addresses several fundamental needs in the fields of education and social inclusion. Firstly, there is a significant gap in the quality and accessibility of non-formal and informal education for youth with intellectual disabilities (GDI), who often lack adequate educational opportunities. Additionally, youth workers (YW) require specific training to address the challenges of inclusion and diversity, as many lack the necessary skills to create inclusive and stimulating environments. Promoting active citizenship and initiative among all youth, both able-bodied (GN) and GDI, is another crucial necessity. The peer-to-peer methodology in mixed groups facilitates interaction and mutual understanding, enriching all participants. Lastly, we identified the need for transnational coordination to exchange best practices, strengthening organizations' capacity to operate at the European level. The project addresses these needs by developing inclusive and participatory practices and methods, promoting a stimulating and safe educational environment that values diversity and encourages youth civic engagement.