The aim of the project was to promote active citizenship among young people aged 16 to 25 by involving them directly in the design and implementation of volunteering activities, shaped through the tools and values of social clowning. The project sought to highlight the transformative potential of social clowning as a socio-educational approach capable of fostering inclusion, empowerment, and participation of young people within their communities. In this same perspective, the project aimed to train youth workers in the use of social clowning as a non-formal educational tool, enabling them to support young people in co-creating volunteering experiences that respond to real local needs. The focus on the core values of social clowning – such as empathy, active listening, cooperation, care, and respect for others – was the guiding thread throughout the project. Finally, the project aimed to develop a replicable model capable of linking youth worker training, youth participation, and the activation of local and international networks, also through the exchange of good practices among the partner organisations.
YOU(TH) CLOWN project resulted from the two partner organisations' shared commitment to addressing educational and social needs in their respective territories. These needs relate particularly to the promotion of active citizenship among young people, the improvement of the quality of youth work, and the inclusion of individuals in vulnerable situations. Both organisations have a strong presence in the youth sector and maintain a strong territorial presence, recognising social clowning as a powerful tool for building connections between young people and vulnerable communities. The project emerged at a time of uncertainty, when the well-being of young people was significantly impacted by the aftermath of the pandemic and ongoing social changes. YOU(TH) CLOWN offered a concrete way to combat isolation by encouraging empathy, active listening, self-confidence and social skills through volunteering. The co-design of volunteering activities provided a valuable opportunity to experience solidarity, strengthen social bonds, and foster a sense of local and European belonging.