Strengthening Identity. Meeting the challenges together

<< Background >>The partners saw an urgent need to address identity challenges among young people they work with in a multi-crisis context, including memory culture gaps, media influence, economic instability, and rising nationalism. They needed a deeper understanding of these challenges, proactive strategies to counter radicalization and polarization, and improved methodologies for youth work. The project was also a way to adapt activities to young people’s evolving needs and raise awareness at local and European levels about these pressing issues.<< Objectives >>This project was focused on developing partners´ capacities to support young in strengthening their identity in the context of current social challenges. Its objectives:- to conduct an extensive analysis of the challenges; - to exchange perspectives, experiences, approaches and practices;- to develop a methodology, including designing a training course for youth workers;- to develop conceptualized visions of each partner organisation to integrate the project results in their work.<< Implementation >>The main activities to achieve the project goals were:- Kick-off partner meeting- Survey of challenges to young people's identities- Methodological workshop- Training course for youth workers on non-formal education to support identity, diversity and inclusion- Testing follow-up local activities- Development of roadmaps for partners to integrate project results into their activities- Final meeting and public presentations of project results<< Results >>Concrete outputs:- Survey – conducted with 163 young people to analyze identity challenges.- Methodological workshop – 10 participants in-person, 25 youth workers engaged through meetings and presentations.- Training for youth workers – 18 participants, enhancing competencies on identity-related topics.- Methodology development:10 methods documented and refined, 4 non-formal education methods adapted for separate learning activities.- Structured training course designed, tested, and improved.- Implementation & testing – 8 new activities - Roadmaps – each partner developed a strategy for integrating project results.- Dissemination: 14 public events across three countries, 100+ youth workers & educators.The project´s longer-term results:- The partners are more aware of the current challenges, including ones connected with the identity of the youth, and oriented to work with them.- The organisations can offer more and higher quality services to their communities.- Recognition of the challenges young people face and the organisations´ work is raised in the societies. - The European dimension of the partners´ work is enhanced. - The partners become more able to operate at the international level.