Imagine! - Rafforzamento delle competenze di cittadinanza attiva e civica tra giovani e giovani disabili

<< Background >>The Imagine! project addresses several fundamental needs in the fields of education and social inclusion. Firstly, there is a significant gap in the quality and accessibility of non-formal and informal education for youth with intellectual disabilities (GDI), who often lack adequate educational opportunities. Additionally, youth workers (YW) require specific training to address the challenges of inclusion and diversity, as many lack the necessary skills to create inclusive and stimulating environments. Promoting active citizenship and initiative among all youth, both able-bodied (GN) and GDI, is another crucial necessity.The peer-to-peer methodology in mixed groups facilitates interaction and mutual understanding, enriching all participants. Lastly, we identified the need for transnational coordination to exchange best practices, strengthening organizations' capacity to operate at the European level. The project addresses these needs by developing inclusive and participatory practices and methods, promoting a stimulating and safe educational environment that values diversity and encourages youth civic engagement.<< Objectives >>Implementing the Imagine! project, we aimed to achieve three main objectives:1- Improve the quality of non-formal and informal education for youth with intellectual disabilities (GDI) through the exchange of best practices among organizations and involved youth, and training youth workers (YW) on disability, inclusion, youth, active citizenship, and non-formal/informal education.2- Empower youth and YWs by creating mixed groups of able-bodied youth (GN) and GDI. We aimed to foster inclusive environments where GDI could develop civic skills and GN could become more aware of diversity. YWs would apply learned practices in real-world settings.3- Establish transnational coordination among entities to enhance operational capacities at European and cross-sectoral levels. This involved promoting strategic dialogue through exchanging skills and integrating socio-educational approaches and bottom-up co-design, thereby maximizing the impact of objectives and expanding organizational actions.<< Implementation >>In the Imagine! project, we implemented several key activities. **Project governance** ensured effective management of the initiatives. We conducted **training sessions in Italy and Spain** for 20 youth workers (YW) on disability, inclusion, and active citizenship. We created a **toolkit** with the best educational practices.We formed **mixed groups 875 youth in total) of able-bodied youth (GN) and youth with intellectual disabilities (GDI) in Italy and Spain**, promoting interaction and mutual understanding. These groups participated in **co-design sessions and exchange activities**, both local and international, designed by the participants themselves. The exchange activities in Spain allowed for field-testing of the learned methodologies.Finally, we focused on **communication and dissemination**, promoting the project's results and raising community awareness through cultural events and activities that stimulated youth creativity and active participation, valuing diversity, and promoting active citizenship.<< Results >>We developed a Toolkit of best practices for non-formal education, used in training and shared with partner organizations. In Italy and Spain, we trained 20 youth workers (YW) on disability, inclusion, and active citizenship, enhancing the quality of non-formal education.We formed mixed groups of able-bodied youth (GN) and youth with intellectual disabilities (GDI), involving 75 participants in co-design and exchange activities. These experiences fostered civic skills and awareness of diversity. A transnational coordination among partner organizations facilitated the exchange of skills and educational approaches at the European level, strengthening operational capacities and enabling future collaboration.Communication and dissemination activities increased the project’s impact through online materials, reports, and shared documentation. We also held local events to promote results: one in Italy to present the Toolkit, one in Spain during the youth exchange, and a event in Italy to promote the project.