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Activism 101: Tools for Change

2024-3-DE04-KA153-YOU-0002825172024Mobility of youth workersongoingGood practice
Countries: DE|IT|AT|HU|CZ|NL · Grant: €42,019
Promotion of alternative forms of participationCommunity developmentDemocracy and inclusive democratic participation

Objectives

The "Activism 101 - Tools for Change" project was implemented to achieve several key objectives that enhanced youth work practice and empowered participants in their roles as facilitators and activists. The project addressed the lack of agency, limited awareness of activism, uncertainty about effective approaches, feelings of overwhelm regarding pressing issues, and the need for a supportive network. These efforts ultimately fostered education, collaboration, and empowerment to enable young people to actively participate in meaningful change. The main objectives of the project were: 1) Enhance activist knowledge and skills for youth work: equip youth workers with tools to understand individual and collective activism, enabling them to educate young people on responsible behaviors and engage them in diverse activist practices, including online, street, and creative activism. 2) Promote reflection and agency in youth workers and youth: empower youth workers to reflect on their motivations and causes, enabling them to guide young people in finding their own passions and fostering a sense of agency in social change. 3) Create a European activist network for youth empowerment: build a network for youth workers to share practices and strategies, enhancing their ability to support young people in addressing local and global challenges The project also aimed to broaden participants' methodological and intercultural competencies. Engaging with peers from various backgrounds helped youth workers adapt their practices to meet the diverse needs of young people, thereby promoting inclusivity and understanding. Promoting active citizenship served as another significant objective. The project encouraged a sense of agency among participants and empowered them to take active roles in their communities. By instilling values of active citizenship, the initiative inspired youth workers to engage young people in civic activities, advocate for social justice, and address pressing global challenges. Participants developed practical activism skills through hands-on training in online campaigning, nonviolent protest strategies, and advocacy techniques. These skills enabled them to design and implement effective actions that resonated with their target audiences. The organizers also recognized the emotional challenges often associated with activism. By integrating emotional reflection into the training, the project equipped youth workers with strategies to manage these challenges, fostered resilience, and prevented burnout. Ultimately, the project sought to create a sustainable impact by encouraging participants to apply their newly acquired skills within their local contexts. This included leading workshops and initiatives that promoted sustainability and social change, which extended the project's reach beyond the training course.

Project partners (6)