Youth rESOLUTIONS EUROPEAN SOLUTIONS
Programme Name
Youth Resolutions European Solutions
Awarding Body Details:
ERASMUS+
Reference No:
2019-1-MT01-KA347-051119
Year of Award:
2019
Project Status:
COMPLETED
Description:
Youth Resolutions European Solutions was the title of the project submitted under Action 3 – Erasmus+ to apply for co-funding to host the 51st international session of MEP Malta. Youth Resolutions European Solutions was a project that promoted youth dialogue, political participation and active citizenship at EU level. Young participants from different social and cultural backgrounds from different European countries came to Malta between the 9 – 16 November 2019 to attend a transnational activity that enagaged them in dialogue and debate on different issues identified by other young people prior to the event.
Following years of structured dialogue projects at national level, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ hosted this event as the next step in the dialogue ‘participation ladder’ by providing an even wider international platform for young people to consolidate their belief in the European project, understand how it works and give their valid input to make youth policy work for young people. Participants enagaged in Youth Dialogue through a simulation of the EU Parliament.
This event had been the culmination of month long preparations at organizational level and prior youth involvement and preparation. 2 main activities had been planned. The first had been a preparatory national seminar to choose the committee delegates and to prepare the Maltese volunteers to be able to facilitate the sessions, to prepare for the issues that will be debated and to prepare for the November session.
The main transnational event took the form of dialogue sessions, committee work, and preparation of resolutions, ending with a plenary session to agree on the final document that had been presented to policy makers and experts. Apart from the resolution booklet as a tangible result of MEP Malta – Youth Resolutions European Solutions, other outcomes had been envisaged namely the intercultural exchange of young people coming from many different countries and backgrounds, increased knowledge about European youth policy, and better understanding on the effectiveness of the dialogue process as a space where young people can meet with policy makers and experts to give their views and guide future policy direction, with particular emphasis on the themes and priorities of the EU Youth Strategy 2019 – 2027. It had also contributed to the strengthening and establishment of a network of European contacts of all the delegates and coordinators present that lasted beyond the duration of the transnational event.
Apart from acquiring and increasing their personal competences, the young people who participated in the project had also disseminated details of the event back home to spread and reinforce young people’s self-belief that they can shape their own futures through youth dialogue and involvement. This resulted in active citizenship that had been intended to extend to and beyond participation in regional, national and European elections. An overall umbrella outcome was the nurturing of young people to empower them to become better versions of themselves at personal level and as European citizens, and through their future actions to transmit this to others so as to ensure the continuation of EU citizenship that is meaningful for its citizens.
Total Project Cost:
€49,844
DIGY
Programme Name
ERASMUS+
Awarding Body Details
JUGEND für Europa
Reference No
2019-1-DE04-KA205-017938
Year of Award
2019
Project Status
IN PROGRESS
Description
Digital youth participation empowers young people to become active citizens from local to European level. The positive effects only unfold when the participation process is run professionally – just to use digital tool is not enough to inspire young people, administrations and youth organisations to collaborate.
Unfortunately, potential initiators often lack experience, personal and financial resources needed to plan and conduct a successful e-participation project. This is a reason why first-time pilot project may fail due to the many unknown challenges and efforts, leading to frustration among participation.
This Erasmus+ strategic partnership project ‘DiGY’ – ‘Digital participation made easy’ aims to tackle this problem by delivering qualification and capacity building to initiators of digital participation projects. The materials designed will be integrated into the OPIN platform, a professional online tool-box for digital youth participation that is already available in 10 European languages. Thus, the European- wide infrastructure is strengthened and enriched by modules to increase the for digital youth participation project.
The results of the project will be developed by a consortium of 7 partner from all over Europe, who bring in valuable country-specific knowledge and experiences. Nexus will be the coordinator with Liquid Democracy providing technical support. Youth organisation from Macedonia, Slovenia, Georgia and Malta will be working with on the project from a practical aspect. Creativitas will be focusing on project dissemination.
Total project Cost
€401,890
S.H.AM
Programme Name
S.H.A.M
Awarding Body Details
ERASMUS+ Key Action 1 EUPA
Reference No
2018-1-MT01-KA105-038423
Year of Award
2018
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
S.H.A.M was an Erasmus + project that resulted from past collaborations between Limerick Youth Services and Agenzija Zghazagh. Its purpose was to reach out and share experiences among the partners and the young people. The main aim of this project was to give the opportunity to all the participants to experience a youth exchange on the theme of mental health and gain various skills. Such topics and opportunities helped the individual develop further in life and also increased their overall well-being. The project consisted of 3 main activities with more than 80 young people aged 15-19 years from Ireland, Italy and Malta. All participants faced lack of access to amenable space for personal & social development, risk of being stigmatized and increasing mental health issues. The programme focused on youth mental health and wellbeing, a clear theme that was emerging for young people in today’s climate. Discussion with young people had been highlighted ‘they have nowhere to go’ in their communities which was also having a trickledown effect on their mental health, due to being a ‘problem’ and ‘always hanging around’. This programme provided a structure, space and opportunity to explore the links between mental health and lack of youth space, compared the associated problems being faced by young people in both countries, analysed the possible solutions, developed participants’ resilience skills and attitudes, and shared/debated their views with other people in the community. Non formal learning would be the primary methodology for this exchange. Through this activity participants developed many skills which enhanced their visibility within the community. These included inter-personal skills, practical skills such as planning, organisational, life skills including teamwork, communication and leadership skills. They had enhanced coping skills and were aware of ways to maintain positive mental health. They had been equipped in their journeys to securing open youth space. Participation in this project seeked to address the multi-faceted and many times hidden issues experienced by the young people, due to not having a space they could call their own. We envisaged a number of Impacts and potential long-term benefits for participants with young people developing important life skills. They had been more informed on youth spaces and means to access it, they had been better prepared for community activism. They had been able to support their mental wellbeing, understanded the importance of this and the possible results of poor mental health. They gained certification from their learning and visibility in their local communities. The participants were exposed to mobility and future opportunity within the Erasmus+ programme. This project also aimed to increase the collaboration between partners in the EU countries, helped respective programmes improve and be innovative by sharing ideas and good practices. This helped make local programmes more effective and attractive for young people. We were also aware of the importance of non-formal education and would like to use this experience with young people as an example of non-formal education, which is recognised and valued even in the job market.
Total Project Cost
€42,183.00
YOUTH WIKI
Programme Name
Youth Wiki
Awarding Body Details
EACEA
Reference No
2019 – 0638
Year of Award
2019
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
The Youth Wiki is Europe’s online encyclopedia in the area of national youth policies. The platform is a comprehensive database of national structures, policies and actions supporting young people. It covers eight main fields of action: education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, health and well-being, participation, voluntary activities, social inclusion, youth and the world, and creativity and culture.
Total Project Cost
€22,719
An OpportunitY for you(th)-speak up!
Programme Name
An Opportunity for You(th) – Speak Up!
Awarding Body Details
EACEA
Reference No
2019 – 1130
Year of Award
2019
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
The main objective of Opportunities for You(th) – Speak Up! is to increase the reach of the EU youth Dialogue, both in terms of numbers but also in terms of diversity of the young participants. The project will be providing reliable information to young people on the new opportunities to participate in the EU Youth Dialogue. The Maltese National Working Group has devised 2 information campaigns, an information campaign for the 7th and another for the 8th cycle of the EU youth Dialogue.
Total Project Cost
€31,469
Less stress more fun
Programme Name
Less Stress More Fun
Awarding Body Details
Fundanja Rozwoju Systemu Edukacji
Reference No
2018-3-PL01-KA105-0611338
Year of Award
2018
Project Status
COMPLETED
Description
Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, South Youth Service, participated in an ERASMUS+ Project in August together with Ballyfermot Youth Services Ireland, Tartu Noorsootöö Keskus Estonia and Fundacja MODE – Move and Develop Foundation Poland. 8 participants accompanied by 2 Youth Workers from each country, went to Poland, Nowy Gieraltow, between 21st August and 27th August 2019. The main theme of the project was ‘Less Stress, More Fun’.
During this project, young people discussed what they understand by stress, how is it caused, cultural differences in relation to stress and how to deal with it amongst other relevant topics. As it is usually done, young people had the opportunity to mingle together also thanks to an international evening with the aim of discovering different cultures.
Young people also developed several skills throughout the project as they were responsible for certain tasks to be carried out. To work with other young people from different countries was a good opportunity for everyone and a solid network and friendships were created.
Young people expressed their delight and positive feelings towards this project and remarked how such an amazing week can leave a huge impact in their lives. Young people were grateful for this opportunity and strengthened their relationship with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ.
Total Project Cost
€19,910.00
Autism friendly spaces
Programme Name
Autism Friendly Spaces: Adapting existing services and places to cater for people with autism
Awarding Body Details
Erasmus + , EUPA
Reference No
KA205-1A4FEAD4
Year of Award
2019
Project Status
IN PROGRESS
Description
Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the lives of approximately 1% of the world population (CDC, 2014). It has been described as the fastest-growing developmental disability worldwide (CDC, 2008). The new estimate represents a 15% increase in prevalence nationally in the last two years: from 1 in 68 children to 1 in 59 children. (CDC, 2018). It is predicted to keep on increasing during the coming years.
This need will be targeted by this project through the:
1) Strengthening of competences of educators and youth workers in the knowledge, attitudes and better inclusion strategies for students/young people with autism
2) Better accessibility to public and private spaces, through a Certification System enabling the application for ‘Autism Friendly Spaces’ and a nationwide awareness campaign
3) Supporting young people with autism socially through a pilot youth hub, created specifically for them.
The project will bring together 6 partners and will last 34 months. Prisms are the coordinator and the applicants. Other Maltese partners include Commission of Rights for Persons with disability and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. Autism-Europe, Belgium; Learning Designers, Spain and MMSA, part of the University of Macedonia.
The results include:
1) The creation, design, and implementation of four online modules which will be free of charge, interactive, easily accessible and highly informative, the educators and youth workers will learn and strengthen their competencies in working in an inclusive environment. There will be a login system to record their progress during the modules. A certificate will be given to each educator who completes the modules. The modules will include the theoretical and practical aspect with regards to autism and how to include him/her in the classroom/youth group. To complement this, training of 5 days will be given to a group of 28 youth workers and educators; who will then disseminate the results in their workplace.
2) The creation of a Certification System that enables private sectors and public entities to make their places ‘Autism Friendly’. The places who are awarded the ‘Autism Friendly Spaces’ award, will be listed on a website and an app which will be created for this project. These will include the Call 2019 Round 2 KA2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices KA205 – Strategic Partnerships for youth FormId KA205-1A4FEAD4 Deadline (Brussels Time) 30 Apr 2019 12:00:00 EN 4 / 171 hours/time, in the cases of ‘Autism Friendly Hours’. It will also include a visual map of the surroundings and where the nearest AFS place is situated. Each business/entity will appoint two ‘Autism Ambassadors’ whom a one-day training will be provided to them and they’ll be the reference point to answer on matters about autism in that business/shop. The project includes 8 trials of places within different sectors.
3) The piloting of a youth hub for young people with autism. There is a need for open spaces where youth with autism can hang out and socialize. This project aims to address this by opening a youth center which will be facilitated by youth workers and led by youth with autism. The youth workers will work towards supporting the social aspect of young people through the use of non-formal methodologies, and independence skills through outings. This youth hub aim aims to open in four countries: Malta, Spain, Belgium, and Macedonia. The desired and foreseen impact on a local level is the better inclusion of people with autism in the general local community. This will take place in schools, youth centers, and shops/services at a local level in Malta, Belgium, Spain, and Macedonia. The main target group who will directly benefit from this project are the cohort of young people with autism. However, this project will indirectly leave a positive impact on the inclusion of other cohorts such as children and adults who are on the autism spectrum, since the main results from this project can be beneficial to all ages, thanks to its sustainability and creation of a national scale awareness campaign.
There will be a total of 240 young people with autism who will be a participant in the organized activities.
The long term effect would be the inclusion of:
– 140,000 people with autism and 532,000 family members in Andalusia, Spain
– 186,000 people with autism and 706,000 family members in Belgium;
– 35,000 people with autism and 133,000 family members in Macedonia
– and 8,000 people with 32,000 family members in Malta.
Secondary target groups include educators, youth workers, employers of businesses and public spaces who will work towards adjusting their space as ‘Autism Friendly’. Their employees will be given an opportunity for further training; and lastly, family and caregivers of persons who are on the autism spectrum. The project partners have planned an efficacious dissemination plan which will take place at on a local, national and international level. A number of associated partners in each country are already committed to supporting this project. Communication and management procedures are set in place for the partners to follow; with a well thought of evaluation system.
Total Project Cost
€173,640.00