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About the H.E.Y. Project

Heightening the Engagement of Youth​​

THE PROJECT

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H.E.Y! Heightening the Engagement of Youth, represents an innovative project co-funded by the Erasmus+, launched during the kick-off partner meeting, organized in Cyprus, between 24th-25th May 2022.

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The H.E.Y! project, through the collaboration of 7 partner organizations from 6 EU countries, proposes a positive youth development approach focused on making young individuals stronger and more resourceful, as reflected in their behaviour and mind-set. The Coordinator of the project is the Social Policy and Action Organization (Cyprus), and the Partner organizations represent Promimpresa Societa’ Benefit Srl (Italy), Redial Partnership CLG (Dublin, Irealy), ALDA-European Association for Local Democracy (France), AGIS, Note et Innove (France), Asoc Grigri Proyectos Socioculturales (Spain), Associacao Juvenil Da Linha De Cascais Rota Jovem (Portugal).

 

OBJECTIVES

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The project, with duration 24 months, will contribute towards the empowerment of young people, by a) supporting their positive engagement in building more equal and inclusive communities through innovative and transnational youth initiatives, b) improving the existing local youth work practice of the youth leaders and operators, through quality and sustainability of digital youth work and online and blended training and the recognition of the vital role the youth sector plays in helping young people recover from detrimental effects, overcoming poverty of hope, and to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and c) improving successful school-to-work transitions, as a potentially powerful way of weakening the intergenerational transmission of poverty and reducing inequality.

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TARGET GROUPS

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The project will target young people who are in the process of integrating into the society as active citizens, socially and financially independent, mainly

a) returnees to their country of origin, including students, financial migrants and those who are regionally attached (financial economic financial migrants returning to their country of origin), and those who are regionally attached, who are in the process of re-integrating into society and becoming active citizens.

b) NEETs, including unemployed, and others facing social/cultural or/and financial obstacles (youth suffering from substance abuse, youth from minority ethnic, racial, religious backgrounds, youth with disabilities.

2) youth workers and professionals working with youth, including job advisors, coaches, and their NGOs, including Educational hubs, youth NGOs, social services providers and other institutions.

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PROJECT OUTCOMES

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The project, with duration 24 months, will contribute towards the empowerment of young people, by a) supporting their positive engagement in building more equal and inclusive communities through innovative and transnational youth initiatives, b) improving the existing local youth work practice of the youth leaders and operators, through quality and sustainability of digital youth work and online and blended training and the recognition of the vital role the youth sector plays in helping young people recover from detrimental effects, overcoming poverty of hope, and to mitigate the impact of the pandemic and c) improving successful school-to-work transitions, as a potentially powerful way of weakening the intergenerational transmission of poverty and reducing inequality.

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In a Pick

The Project activities and results will generate good practices exchange, local services and socio-economic opportunities mapping, youth work valuable skills and competences development, established networks with transnational youth organisations to strengthen collaboration for responding to COVID-19 more effectively, young people’s stories and experiences dissemination which will improve cross-disciplinary experiences, young people’s self-esteem, social connection, political participation and re-integration opportunities enhancing the role of young people themselves as catalysts of inclusive and resilient societies in crisis response, recovery, and in preparation of future shocks.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT AND THE IMPACT ON TARGET GROUPS

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The project through the implementation of its activities and distribution of products had important impact on the various target groups. 

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On youth with fewer opportunities in general as it

  • Increased self-expression and communication,sense of initiative and enhanced competences through focus groups,sharing stories, learning from "successful stories" of their peers.

  • Re-oriented youth across the project territorial dimension towards a more holistic, connected and inclusive mind-set invigorating their individual and collective actions to create opportunities and address social challenges.

  • Enhanced capacity to develop ideas through the co-production of the training modules and multiplier events.

  • Raised appreciation and awareness of cultures, economic and social contexts from a variety of youth communities at EU level, mainly through the use of the platform.

  • Fostered peer-learning, debates in round-table discussion, share experiences and work approaches from different cultures, social backgrounds and youth communities.

On young Returnees and/or NEETs as it

  • Wider the chances of a successful reintegration in the home labor market through training, through supporting follow-up processes after their experience abroad

  • Valorised their life experiences, skills and competences acquired abroad through storytelling

  • Contributed towards skills acquisition on mentoring and to stimulate and carry on social initiatives.

  • Increased their ability to turn ideas into projects corresponding to the needs of individuals and the community leadership and teamwork.

  • Raised awareness of key competences and soft skills and will be able to self-evaluate, this shall not also increase their self-confidence, but also help them in bettering their employability.

  • Fostered self-assessment: better awareness of key competences and soft skills, ability to self-evaluate, increasing their self confidence and motivation to play an active role in society

On young Professionas as it

  • Enhanced professional competences of youth workers incl.: storytelling and co-production methods,technical skills such as video shooting and editing through the facilitation of relevant workshops,  to work and empower young people -increased capacities to support young people and particularly NEETs and Returnees , due to the increase knowledge of their needs.

  • Increased knowledge of career guidance methodologies (recognition and validation of competences, key competences and motivation and soft skills) thanks to the development of the Training package.

  • Improved ability to plan teaching-learning activities for developing sustainability skills.

  • Participants at the H.E.Y! Training Course, got engaged in the process of knowledge exchange,peer learning in a transnational environment that will enhance foreign language & intercultural skills.

  • Enhanced the development, use of storytelling techniques,incl. digital, to offer a learning tool to enhance the art experience and surface a significant shift in current educational trends.

On local Communities

  • Enhanced cooperation among stakeholders in the youth work sector.

  • Promoted youth creativity and entrepreneurial resources

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