WETO! Europejska młodzież kontra cyfrowemu znęcaniu się

<< Background >>The VETO project was launched to tackle the increasing issue of cyberbullying, particularly among young people and youth workers. One of the key needs addressed by the project was the lack of effective tools and methods to combat digital bullying, especially with a gender-sensitive approach. Research had shown that girls are disproportionately affected, with a higher likelihood of being targeted through mobile devices. This project sought to fill this gap by developing new strategies to help youth workers and young people recognize and respond to cyberbullying.The project also aimed to empower youth workers and young people by equipping them with essential skills and knowledge to prevent and manage cyberbullying cases. Participants gained tools for emotional management, non-violent communication, and a deeper understanding of the gender dynamics that often fuel online harassment. By focusing on these areas, the project intended to support both victims and perpetrators, creating a safer online environment.<< Objectives >>The main objectives of the VETO project revolved around addressing the growing issue of cyberbullying, particularly with a gender-sensitive approach. The interconnected goals included:- facilitating knowledge sharing among youth associations in Poland, Spain, and Italy​​ about effective practices for combating cyberbullying drawing from the diverse experiences of the project’s partners;.- developing a gender-sensitive approach to tackling cyberbullying that would address the specific challenges faced by young people, especially girls, who are often more vulnerable to digital harassment. The development of these tools was designed to provide a more tailored response to the varying impacts of cyberbullying based on gender​​.- empowering youth workers and young people with soft skills, methods, and tools to prevent and address cyberbullying effectively. This included equipping them to recognize the signs of cyberbullying, protect themselves and others online, and implement strategies to support victims and address perpetrators​​.<< Implementation >>- Project meetings: online kick-off on February 7, 2023 and three transnational project meetings in Santander, Spain on June 20-21, 2023, in Verona, Italy on April 9-10, 2024, and in Kielce, Poland on September 10-12, 2024. - Participatory visits to Italy (May 8-10, 2023) and to Poland (November 14-16, 2023) were hosted by Oriel and OSO correspondingly that shared their best practices and shared gender-sensitive approaches to counteract cyberbullying. Partners participated in workshops and discussions focusing on cyberbullying, online sexism, and non-violent communication.- Training Course in Penagos, Spain (June 23 - July 1, 2023) involved both youth workers and young people, focused on testing and transferring a new gender-sensitive method to prevent and respond to cyberbullying and enhance emotional management​​​.- Creation and publication of the interactive book and its audiobook version in four languages were designed to support youth workers and young people in addressing and preventing cyberbullying with a gender-sensitive approach.- Dissemination included multiplier events in each partner country, followed by a consultation period to reach a wider audience.<< Results >>The VETO project produced several key outputs to address cyberbullying with a gender-sensitive approach. These included an interactive book, with 98 pages in four languages (English, Polish, Spanish, and Italian), and an audiobook version to ensure accessibility. The VETO method was developed to provide youth workers with practical strategies to prevent and manage cyberbullying, focusing on gender-sensitive interventions.A training course in Spain and participatory visits in Italy and Poland enabled partners to exchange best practices. Multiplier events in all partner countries showcased the project's tools, and a consultation period gathered stakeholder feedback. The project successfully empowered youth workers and young people with new tools and methods to tackle cyberbullying effectively, ensuring a lasting impact aligned with the project’s objectives.