Youth Participation at Local Level

Youth Participation and Democracy Award category

Youth Participation at Local Level

Organisation

Social Policy and Action organization

Country

Cyprus

WEBSITE

https://www.facebook.com/socialpolicyaction

Project link

https://www.facebook.com/socialpolicyaction/posts/pfbid02J219cHYr7H1uX2cPsLPy7CFozKiasarsRho1FeVwQCt9nwKDizymsWHjNRbB6tcsl

General Overview

The project involved the organisation of two workshops and two Round Table Discussions, fostering the empowerment of young people for social and civic participation at the local level, organised under the Time to Move Campaign. These activities contributed, at a preliminary level, to the YouthSocialAct project (launched on 31/12/2024 and co-funded by the EU), by laying the groundwork for upcoming initiatives. The project practically fosters the participation of young people in social and civic activities at the local level.

The workshops, entitled “Youth Participation at Local Level”, were organised on 19th October and 30th October 2024, in Strovolos and semi-rural Kokkinotrimithia. In total, 22 young people (aged 15+) and youth volunteers with an interest in supporting young people as mentors participated in the workshops. The aims of the workshops were to: a) foster youth participation at the local level by engaging young people (15+), as SPAO Youth Ambassadors in acquiring an active role within their community through volunteerism and youth initiatives, b) enhance the knowledge and competences of young people who will act as Youth Ambassadors on how to practically engage in youth participation activities at the local level, and c) exchange ideas about youth-led initiatives of participation at the local level.

The Round Table Discussions, entitled “Fostering Participation of Young People with ADHD in EU-funded Youth Initiatives and Opportunities”, were organised on 20th October in Nicosia and 26th October 2024 in Limassol. In total, 25 young people (aged 15+) with ADHD, parents, and health professionals participated in the discussions. The aims were to:

present and share information on the EU-funded opportunities fostering the participation of young people with ADHD
empower young people with ADHD to raise their voices and share their ideas about youth-led initiatives at the local level
support an interactive discussion and exchange of ideas and views on initiatives that could be developed.

Thematic Category Correspondence

(50 points max)

How does this initiative (project, event, material) correspond to the thematic category

The project activities correspond to the thematic category of Youth Participation and Democracy chosen for the following reasons:

Workshops and round table discussions targeted young people (15+ years old) with the goal of empowering them and enhancing their knowledge, skills, and competences on how to contribute with their ideas, work, and involvement in society.

Competences were also enhanced on how to co-create, co-design, and organise youth initiatives, contributing greatly to the development of local communities and societies.

The project promoted social and civic youth participation at the grassroots level within the local community.

Young people, especially those with mental and physical disabilities, had the opportunity to raise their voices and share their ideas for youth-led activities within their communities.

The activities focused on core issues of concern for young people and their interests in actively participating in democratic processes, either as civil society youth workers or as youth leaders and members of democratic processes.

The project activities contributed towards approaching and engaging young people (15+) in a large-scale EU-funded project entitled YouthSocialAct, which was launched at the end of 2024. The YouthSocialAct project promotes and encourages alternative forms of active social and civic youth participation activities in democratic life at the local level, by supporting youth initiatives co-designed, co-created, and implemented by young people with fewer opportunities.

Impact

(30 points max)

How did your project impact young people / your community?

Even though the project had a short duration, the impact on young people, youth workers, and volunteers who participated in all four activities appeared to be positive and significant based on the evaluation and assessment comments received.

Young people who participated, especially those with fewer opportunities, became familiar with initiatives organised with EU funding, utilising non-formal educational methods.
Participants acquired or enhanced knowledge, skills, and competences in:
How to co-design and co-create youth-led initiatives.

What social and civic participation represents.

The benefits of peer-sharing and intergenerational mentoring as effective tools for personal and professional growth and development.

Young people with ADHD received information on opportunities provided by the EU, fostering the participation of young people with ADHD in EU-funded programmes and projects.
All participants became aware of the potential provided by the EU programmes at the local level and how they can be utilised to effect changes in local communities and practically contribute to better futures.

During the project activities, all participants expressed interest in being involved in the follow-up youth activities organised under the YouthSocialAct project and, at the same time, being more active in co-designing and co-organising local activities within their communities.

Green Focus

(10 points max)

Did your project have any green focus and/or did you implement any eco-friendly measures when organising it?

During the workshops, seven thematic priorities for social and civic actions were identified and discussed among young people and youth mentors. One of the priorities was “Young People, Sustainable Green Communities, and Environmental Protection.” Participants also had the opportunity to discuss policies, tools, and practices on how to achieve this.

Youth Participation and Democracy Award category