POLICY IN ACTION
Programme Name
ERASMUS+ KA 3
Awarding Body Details
EUPA
Reference
2014-1-MT01-KA347-000291
Year of Award
2014
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ has been coordinating the Structured Dialogue on a local level for the past four cycles and in line with the ‘Renewed framework for European cooperation in the youth field (2010-2018)’ the agency is always looking for innovative ways on how to create spaces where a wider array of young people and policy makers can meet and discuss policy issues. The project ‘Policy in Action’ Aġenzija Żgħażagħ served as a practical way to facilitate such a dialogue. Groups of young people discussed a number policy actions found in the new National Youth Policy with decision makers and youth workers to come up with youth-friendly strategies that will help in the implementation of such action plans. Further to this, this project also promoted the cross-sectoral dimension of youth policy by working with different Government departments, agencies and other entities simultaneously.
At the core of this project were four national youth meetings that addressed four key priority areas in the new National Youth Policy: ‘Education and Training’, ‘Social Inclusion’, ‘Participation of Young People and Youth Organisations’ and ‘Community and Voluntary Activities’.
The policy actions that were discussed were:
• In the policy priority of Education and Training: the transition from compulsory to further education; tackling early school leaving and improving literacy;
• In the policy priority of Social Inclusion: Young people and labelling; young people and mental health issues and inclusion through sports.
• In the policy priority of Community and Voluntary activities: The value of youth organisations.
• In the policy priority of Participation of Young People and Youth Organisation: The Youth Village, the concept and the way forward.
Total Project Cost
€50,000
SPREAD OUTREACH
Programme Name
ERASMUS+
Awarding Body Details
The Education, AudioVisual and Culture Executive Agency
Reference
2014-2039/001-001
Year of Award
2014
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
In an effort to increase the participation of young people in the Structured Dialogue process the National Working Group for the Structured Dialogue, coordinated by Agenzija Zghazagh implemented a project called Spread (Out) Reach. The objectives of the project addressed the core elements of the Structured Dialogue. Mainly, it encouraged a dialogue between young people and policy makers around the theme of empowerment and participation and enhance the process of consultation. The project targeted to a wider audience of young people, in particular unorganised youth. It also targeted mainstreaming the process into other relevant policy areas and increase the visibility of the Structured Dialogue both within and beyond the youth sector.
The methods adopted to reach such aims included:
1. An interactive opinion booth – Europinion Booth – which young people could access and give feedback on the questions of the Structured Dialogue. The booth was located in Valletta, Sliema and on the University and MCAST campuses and was manned by a number of youth activists.
2. Information sessions in 4 post-secondary institutions to promote the Structured Dialogue
3. Debates in secondary schools
4. Promotional material
5. Radio Adverts
6. Television Adverts
The venues used were various secondary and post-secondary schools, Youth Hubs, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ premises and other strategic locations frequented by young people. Around 1400 young people participated directly in this project.
Total project Cost
€15,000
Developing detached youth work practice
Programme Name
ERASMUS+ KA 2
Awarding Body Details
EUPA
Reference
2014-1-MT01-KA205-000348
Year of Award
2014
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
The Project was a partnership between Aġenzija Żgħażagħ in Malta, Asociatia Centrul pentru Dezvoltare Comunitara Durabila in Romania, Stichting JONG Rotterdam in the Netherlands and YMCA George Williams College in the UK.
The Project aimed to develop and strengthen detached youth work services in the partner countries through the exchange of good practice and peer learning and support. The project evaluated existing services as well as newly established services and developed quality assurance tools that were used in a detached youth work setting working with youth at risk of social exclusion. It drew on the experience achieved by the Dutch and UK partners that enabled the Maltese and Romanian partner organisations to develop their practice in a manner consistent with best practice.
This was achieved through:
– The provision of supervision and mentoring to youth work managers involved in the setting up of new detached youth work services;
– The provision of training to youth workers that will also allow for observation of existing projects and the sharing of experiences;
– The drawing up of policy and procedures in line with quality assurance systems;
– The evaluation of new and existing services through a range of methods including observation, interviews and documentation of activities; and
– Dissemination of the evaluation report.
The expected outcomes included an increased capacity of the partners to implement detached youth work projects and to monitor their effectiveness as well as offered the required support to youth workers involved in service provision.
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ conducted background studies in the region of Cottonera, Paceville and the South East. Youth Workers identified those places where young people were more likely to hang out, what services where available in the community and established links with local councils and police. Detached youth work services were piloted in the area.
Total Project Cost
14,905
MAPPING PROFESSIONAL OPEN YOUTH WORK
Programme Name
ERASMUS+
Awarding Body Details
Professional Open Youth Work in Europe
Reference
2014-AT02-KA205-000211
Year of Award
2014
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
The project aimed to create a strategic partnership for working on underlying principles and concrete tools for mapping professional open youth work in Europe as of today. It had given this part of youth work the room for professional debate on the core profile of their work as well as some tools for online discussion and showcasing of professional open youth work.
It therefore had two pillars that were closely linked to each other:
1) Debate and Description of “Principles of Professional Open Youth Work in Europe”
2) Online platform for debate, capacity building and dissemination of knowledge about professional open youth work in Europe consisting of:
– Inspiration and education through video
– E-Magazine
– Platform for debate and best practice
Total Project Cost
€6,000