INCLUSION! Actions across boundaries
1.5.2019 – 31.12.2020
Short description
The project “INCLUSION! Actions across boundaries” seeks to raise awareness of young people of the subject inclusion. The current rise of right-wing populism in European politics makes propaganda and misinformation an easy tool to target youth in the social media. In this context, it seems necessary to highlight European values and embrace democratic principles, such as solidarity and tolerance, as well as to discuss what is social exclusion, what are the discriminated groups, and what practical solutions can foster more inclusion in the local European communities to ensure equal rights and opportunities to everyone regardless of nationality, culture, gender, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, age, political and religious beliefs. In this project, young people become agents of change through dialogue with stakeholders, peer learning, planning and the implementation of local projects which contribute to more inclusion in their community.
Young people exchange their personal experiences in two international youth meetings in Berlin, Germany, and Athens, Greece, and are supported in the development of their project ideas which target local issues and challenges. At the end of the project, they present the results of their initiatives to local stakeholders at local vernissage and discuss the findings with the local community. Vernissage would open with an international photo exhibition featuring pictures from eleven countries on the subject inclusion.
Project objectives
The overall project objective is to empower young people to become agents of change in their communities and involve young people with diverse background in direct exchange dialogue and collaboration. By means of raising awareness of the issue inclusion, young people would rethink the importance of tolerance, diversity and respect in today’s society and gain practical skills to develop project ideas which would contribute to building more inclusive communities in Europe. The 20 month- project will help young people and youth leaders to find out how we can make our society more inclusive and how to strengthen solidarity and diversity in our communities with youth initiatives aimed at building connections and promoting collaboration.
Target group
Project’s target groups are young people with fewer opportunities and at risk of exclusion; youth leaders (youth workers) who accompany youth in their learning process; participating organisations and local communities.
Expected results
YOUNG PEOPLE would be given tools and space to discuss inclusion, raise awareness on its challenges and barriers, such as racism, xenophobia, hate speech, strengthen the awareness of the EU core values of tolerance, diversity, equal opportunities. Their confidence and self-esteem will be strengthened through acquisition of practical skills, such as team work, project management, public speaking, communication, fundraising, advocacy, creativity and entrepreneurship spirit as well as active citizenship. Their talents and ideas can be applied in managing practical tasks and implementing a local youth inclusion project together with other young people. The project would help them to become active contributing citizens with necessary intercultural competences and ability to act local and feel and think European.
YOUTH LEADERS would acquire new competences and experiences in inclusion work and increase their portfolio of non-formal learning skills and facilitation techniques for inclusive youth groups – all necessary in a dynamic field of modern youth work.
PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS would increase their profile by working in a European consortium of organisations, set up new partnerships and diversify their working methods.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES in 11 European countries would be given an opportunity to discuss the issue of inclusion at the example of a local project initiated by young people, and find new ways for building connections and a more inclusive community.
The expected impact of the project is that, in the long term, youth local inclusion projects are expected to continue as part of the activity plan of each partner organization and contribute to lasting positive social change in their communities. This would encourage young people to actively participate in society and develop specific youth initiatives targeted at social inclusion. We expect that through local youth initiatives developed in the INCLUSION project, young people, residents, decision makers and other local stakeholders will raise their awareness of the need of inclusive approaches in community development, and this will stimulate follow-up local and international projects aimed at coherent diverse and inclusive living.
Project milestones
- international youth exchange I in Berlin, Germany (October 2019)
- implementation of a local youth project which contributes to inclusion (winter-spring 2020)
- international youth exchange II in Athens, Greece (summer 2020)
- international photo competition on the topic inclusion (autumn 2020)
- local vernissage and community events portraying and discussing what inclusion means to young people across Europe (autumn 2020)
Project Partners
- YEPP EUROPE (lead partner)
- YouthBank International, UK
- Hellenic Youth Participation, Greece
- YPAR – Young People at Risk, Ireland
- YEPP Italia, Italy
- Institute for Creative Education, Croatia
- DYPALL Network, Portugal
- El Kaliu – Casal de joves de Lliçà de Vall, Spain
- Community Foundation Bacau, Romania
- Ideenfluss e.V., Germany
- Tuzla Community Foundation, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Visit the Project website