Back to search

The ramp of participation

2024-3-AT01-KA153-YOU-0002906092024Mobility of youth workersongoing
Countries: AT|SI|TR|IT|HU|ES|EL · Grant: €45,842
Quality and innovation of youth workDisabilitiesDemocracy and inclusive democratic participation

Objectives

The Erasmus+ program prioritizes fostering inclusion for youth with diverse abilities and those facing social exclusion risks. Despite the various institutional initiatives and recommendations that support equal rights for all, access to inclusive and quality programs continues to be challenging for many people with diverse abilities. According to the European Disability Forum (http://edf-feph.org/), an umbrella organization for the safeguarding and promotion of the rights of people with diverse abilities, the percentage of participants with disabilities in the Erasmus+ international mobility program is around 2.8%. The members of the partnership are committed to drawing attention to the phenomenon and the need for change, reviewing their institutional practices regarding the inclusion of young people with disabilities to improve this ratio according to their possibilities. During the needs assessment, we identified the following areas to be developed: 1) Professional competencies - through information and training - to increase the capacity of youth workers to become more confident and effective working with a more inclusive approach; The concrete responses received during the research highlight a clear need for tools and knowledge among youth workers to effectively engage youth with diverse abilities and those at risk of social exclusion in their activities. 2) Capacity building of the participating organizations - through a more strategic approach and networking - to empower them to work with mixed-ability groups; There is an expressed demand for common platforms where organizations and youth workers can exchange experiences, address challenges, and discuss best practices related to inclusion, and youth participation. 3) Involvement of young people in the decision-making processes, to enable them to actively shape the processes affecting them. The partnership wants to take steps to involve young people more actively and increase the participation of young people with disabilities in their programs. Historically, individuals with diverse abilities have often been passive recipients of programs and activities designed for them, without considering their specific needs or interests. This lack of a "culture of participation" among them is partly due to paternalistic attitudes from decision-makers, typically individuals without disabilities. While some are eager to be actively involved, many young people with diverse abilities internalise their assigned societal roles. If youth with disabilities are unaware of alternative possibilities, they may not even recognise the need for change. We believe that existing social patterns must be challenged and changed for youth organizations to achieve inclusivity in their participation processes. Therefore, our project supports the active involvement of the target group in youth projects, to promote participation. Considering the points mentioned above, the project's objectives are as follows: To raise awareness about the importance of the inclusion of youth and professionals with disabilities by drawing attention to the mechanism of the Erasmus+ program (personal assistance, accessibility in terms of logistics, and program design) and creating space to discuss further opportunities. To support organizations to revise their strategy or create a new one from the perspective of a systemic approach, to develop a more inclusive participatory model, and to have an increased consciousness about their own goals and vision. To equip the participating youth workers and the partnership organizations with innovative approaches and methods to foster youth participation. To enable participants and their organizations to advocate, and network more effectively to achieve their inclusion goals.

Project partners (7)