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2023-1-PL01-KA154-YOU-0001460932023Youth participation activitiesfinalized
Countries: PL · Grant: €49,560
Reaching the policy level/dialogue with decision makersCreativity, arts and culture

Objectives

The project held two conventions, offering workshops, debates and artistic activities to young people (20-28 years old). The goal was to develop interpersonal skills, social awareness and civic activism. Participants represented different backgrounds, which fostered the exchange of experiences. The organizers provided full logistical support, making the project accessible to a wide range of young people. The first congress (4-6.09.2024, Warsaw) included workshops on Oxford debate, street-art and social problems. Participants took part in workshops: introduction to debate with the Dialectis Association, created collages at Stacja Praga, discussing social problems like exclusion, climate change and public health. Workshops led by experts at the convention developed skills in argumentation, teamwork and creativity. The Old Town Cultural Center hosted classes: social problems in Poland and the world, at which participants learned their opinions on key economic, cultural and economic issues. Classes at the Prague Station and the Old Town Cultural Center used non-formal education methods. At the end, participants learned about the possibilities of the Erasmus+ program at a specially organized thematic session on exchanges, trainings and the DiscoverEU program, and discussed and earned Youthpass certificates. The second convention (18-21.10.2024) focused on youth dialogue on the work of those active in the Polish activism and politics scene, as well as internal Oxford debates and art workshops combined with mural painting. Recommendations for solving social problems were developed, and in the end murals were created to symbolize pro-social actions on the topics of ecology and social problems related to technology. Both assemblies began with team-building sessions, facilitating confidence-building in the group, and an introduction to the principles of the project and the Erasmus+ program. The biggest achievement of the project was the creation of murals: “Heart of the Vistula” at 7/9 Strzelecka Street and ‘Social Problems of the 21st Century’ at Stacja Praga, which allowed them to appreciate the impact of paint-painted street art on public space and the people of Warsaw. The “Social Problems of the 21st Century” mural painted at Stacja Praga using spray techniques, consisting of six scenes depicting social problems. At the end of the 2nd convention, participants also took part in a panel discussion “Challenges of the 21st century”.The panelists discussed social problems in Poland and the challenges faced by young citizens, answering questions from participants. Participants also had the opportunity to speak with the panelists in person, which allowed for a deeper exchange of experiences and ideas. Project objectives: - Increase participants' awareness of social problems - The goal was achieved by holding workshops, debates and educational sessions that made participants aware of the scale and complexity of social problems such as poverty, unemployment and social exclusion. - Involvement of a minimum of 10 decision-makers, politicians in dialogue with young people and the creation of plans for real change - The project gained support from decision-makers, including local politicians and representatives of city administrations such as the City Hall, who participated in panel discussions and developed proposals for concrete actions together with young people. - The creation of 6 murals in Warsaw as a lasting result of the project - Murals were created in key locations in the city, which are artistic expressions of social problems and visions of change. These murals were created as part of a collaboration between youth and decision-makers, which emphasized the symbolic connection between generations. - Creation of recommendations in the form of a document - A comprehensive document containing recommendations for solutions to selected social problems was prepared. The document was submitted to local authorities and made available to the public. - Showing young people their influence on the course of current affairs in the state-Participants took part in simulations of legislative processes and workshops on civic activism, which allowed them to see the real impact they can have on the surrounding reality. - Gain knowledge of democracy, legislative processes and politics - A series of educational classes with experts were organized, which enabled youth to better understand the functioning of the democratic system and legislative processes. - Active youth participation - Participants were actively involved in activities such as creating murals, participating in workshops and developing recommendations.

Project partners (1)