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Born To Be Unique: Neuro-Inclusion & Peer Support Group Practices on Neurodivergent Life Experiences

2023-3-HU01-KA152-YOU-0001803572023Mobility of young peopleongoing
Countries: HU|BG|TR|EL · Grant: €21,965
DisabilitiesInclusion of marginalised young peoplePhysical and mental health, well-being

Objectives

As youth, in addition to the clear image in our minds of a diverse and inclusive future, we have visions, ideas, and ambition to build it. When given adequate insights and opportunities, youth can be a great driver for the development and transformation of environments to be neuro-inclusive in our communities. As a result, we must provide the necessary knowledge and skills to young people in order to capitalize on this desire and capability by effectively utilizing the immense power of youth to act for inclusion. The youth exchange project "Born To Be Unique: Neuro-Inclusion & Peer Support Group Practices on Neurodivergent Life Experiences" aims to develop skills and competencies that can help neurodivergent and neurotypical people form a peer-to-peer support group together, as well as to increase the self-awareness of each participant by providing a safe and inclusive environment in which they can exchange their personal experiences and methods for dealing with burn-out, anxiety, social exclusion, etc. in traditional classroom and/or workplace settings. Our main aim with our project is to create a neuro-inclusive environment by involving 24 young people between the ages of 16 to 25, who are interested in learning more about the concept of neurodiversity and motivated to bring the methodologic knowledge they acquired during the exchange back to raise awareness in their own local communities. The project is expected to contribute the most to the social and interpersonal competences of the participants, besides the scientific and historical knowledge gained on the target topics. It is also expected that the participants will develop their cultural awareness, foreign language skills, and ICT, learning to learn competences for a great extent. Personal learning objectives will be defined by the participants at the beginning of the project, meaning each participant can measure the achievement of those on a personal level. During the activities, we use non-formal methods based on practical learning and learning-by-doing, where the participants can learn from each other, follow their own learning agendas, supported by the group leaders/mentors. Our Objectives: - To organize a 10 day long youth exchange involving 24 participants with neurodiverse backgrounds from Hungary, Turkiye, Bulgaria, and Italy on the topics of neurodiversity, instutitional exclusion, promotion of inclusion, link of solidarity and diversity, peer support group methodology, self-reflection and self-awareness . - To analyze and understand the different approaches of various communities to inclusion and diversity in an educational and social context. - To improve needed skills, attitude and knowledge of the participants on the concept of neurodiversity & taking role in creation of neuro-inclusive environments & promotion of diversity and inclusion in the community & providing self-help and peer support to others. - To transmit and multiply the European values of solidarity, human rights, freedom, diversity, inclusion, and equality in the participants' immediate surroundings and local communities. Our methods: - Non-formal learning: Our participants engage in "learning by doing" through non-formal methods such as team-building activities, role-playing exercises, discussions, etc. These hands-on experiences enable them to enhance their social and interpersonal skills. By working together on the tasks or organizing workshops during the exchange, participants learn practical skills while building strong bonds with their peers. - Self awareness /self knowledge practices: Through the activities desinged to engage in a journey to self-knowledge, we will develop social and emotional skills, participants will gain insights into their own strengths and weaknesses, fostering personal growth and resilience. - Self help / peer support group method: A core element of this project is the promotion of self help / peer support group method. Through shared experiences and empathy, participants will learn to provide valuable support to one another, helping combat issues such as burnout, anxiety, and social exclusion in their surroundings, as well as analyzing and understanding the diverse approaches to inclusion and diversity in educational and social settings in different communities.

Project partners (4)