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The omnipresence of violence: working with the youth to unfollow this trend

2024-1-PT02-KA153-YOU-0002322162024Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: PT|HR|IT|PL|LT|RO|BG · Grant: €26,777
Human rights and rule of lawPromoting gender equalityQuality and innovation of youth work

Objectives

Violence, as a global phenomenon, remains a critical social issue affecting individuals and communities worldwide. Therefore, Youth Workers play a crucial role into shaping young people’s perspectives, behaviors, and responses when facing such challenges. Recognizing the stated, this project was designed to equip youth workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to combat and prevent violence, particularly in the digital era. Furthermore, the primary goal of this project was to empower youth workers through comprehensive training, focusing on violence prevention and intervention strategies. More specifically, the project aimed to: -Contribute to combating and preventing violence by providing youth workers with the necessary training to identify, address, prevent and intervene in situations involving victims of violence; -Re-educate participants on the evolving challenges that young people face in the digital era, including cyberbullying, online harassment, misinformation, and digital safety. -Develop both soft and hard skills among youth workers, enabling them to effectively support young people, promote resilience, and counteract misinformation that often exacerbates violence-related issues. -Equip participants with the ability to mobilize resources and tools learned during the training, ensuring they can apply them effectively in real-life situations to mitigate risks and support victims. By implementing this initiative, ADDIM aimed to provide structured and practical training to youth workers, preparing them to approach victims of any kind of violence with expertise and competence. The project introduced evaluation instruments, implementation strategies, and collaboration mechanisms with authorities, ensuring a more structured response to violence-related cases. Furthermore, the project sought to create an open and inclusive space for debate, knowledge transfer, and sharing of good practices. By fostering an environment where professionals could exchange experiences and methodologies, the initiative contributed to the broader goal of preventing violence and educating youth workers on the best intervention techniques. Therefore, the project has followed a structured approach, combining theoretical learning with practical applications to ensure the most effective training for youth workers. The methodology was based on a combination of: a) Workshops and interactive training sessions, which provided a deep understanding of the nature and impact of violence, particularly domestic and digital violence. These sessions encouraged active participation and the sharing of experiences among attendees. b) Case studies and real-life scenarios, enabling participants to apply the acquired knowledge in simulated situations, improving their decision-making and problem-solving skills. c) Group discussions and role-playing exercises, which allowed youth workers to practice intervention techniques, refine their communication skills, and develop empathy towards victims. d) Collaboration with experts and authorities, ensuring that youth workers gained insights from professionals working in the field of domestic violence prevention, social work, and law enforcement. e) Digital literacy training, equipping participants with the skills needed to identify misinformation, detect online threats, and educate young people on responsible digital behavior. Throughout the program, a multidisciplinary approach was adopted, incorporating psychological, social, and legal perspectives to provide a well-rounded understanding of violence prevention and intervention strategies. To conclude, it is important to refer that the project has indeed successfully achieved its objectives, making a tangible impact on both the participants and the communities they serve. The main outcomes included: a) Enhanced Competencies in Violence Prevention: Youth workers gained a deeper understanding of the different forms of violence, including domestic and digital violence, and were trained to identify warning signs and respond appropriately. b) Development of Practical Skills: The combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on exercises equipped youth workers with both the soft and hard skills required to intervene in cases of violence. c)Increased Capacity for Resource Mobilization: The training provided participants with tools and strategies to access and utilize available resources, ensuring they could offer better support to victims and collaborate efficiently with relevant authorities. d) Creation of a Supportive Network: The project fostered connections among youth workers, experts, and institutions, promoting continued knowledge exchange and collaboration beyond the training sessions. Additionally, feedback from participants highlighted an increased sense of confidence in addressing cases of violence as they came to the understanding that the best way to prevent is through education.

Project partners (7)