Cooperation to Evidence Youth Work Practices in the Creation of Safe, Inclusive and Proud Spaces for Young LGBTI+ People

<< Background >>Research considered for this project found that young LGBTQI+ people growing up in Europe did not feel secure, safe or accepted. Therefore this project was intentionally designed to address these concerns through European cooperation, using youth work methodologies and values to develop project results which would contribute to addressing the needs of young LGBTQI+ people. Through learning from and developing awareness of the varying circumstances of young LGBTI+ people in Europe and those who support them, the project aimed at highlighting the need for more inclusive services, spaces and policies and communicating this to practitioners and policy makers. In our research for this project we found that while there was much written about the lived experiences of young LGBTQI+ people - including the challenges and discrimination they face, there was little documented about the actual youth work practices that achieve positive outcomes. The project results have evidenced practices, processes, activities, and methodologies that young LGBTQI+ people and those working with them say create safe and inclusive spaces in both formal and non-formal settings. Emphasizing human rights and social inclusion, the project actively promoted the pa<< Objectives >>This project aimed at evidencing and documenting practices, processes, activities, and methodologies that foster safe spaces and increase inclusion for young LGBTQI+ people growing up in Europe, while also emphasizing the importance of recognising and acknowledging the role youth work plays in fostering and supporting these spaces and ensuring policy maker and decision makers are aware of the role of youth work in advancing equality. The project actively promoted the participation and voices of young people, youth workers and volunteers in each stage of the project to ensure that their lived experiences guided the development of each project result. The engagement with policy makers and key experts sought to increase their awareness of the experiences, feelings and impact of exclusion and discrimination faced by young LGBTQI+ people with a view of encouraging them to recognise the need to advocate for inclusive policies and practices within a European policy setting.The project sought to add to the body of literature and research which describes outcomes, competencies and practices that achieve positive outcomes for young LGBTQI+ people in youth work settings - both formal and informal. The partners worked with young LGBTQI+<< Implementation >>4 Partner Meetings Dublin, Ireland - 7th June 2022Portlaoise, Ireland - 31st March 2023Bydgoszcz, Poland - 16th November 2023Ghent, Belgium - 29th April 20244 Multiplier EventsPortlaoise, Ireland - 30th March 2023Dublin, Ireland - 28th September 2023Bydgoszcz, Poland - 17th November 2023Brussels, Belgium - 30th April 2024Project ResultsEvidencing Safe and Inclusive Spaces for LGBTQ+ Young People Through Quality Youth Work Practices - March 2023Moving LGBTQI+ Youth Work Towards Promising Practices September 2023Proud SpacesYouth Ranking - November 2023Policy Initiative - Youth Work Advancing Equity for LGBTQI+ Youth - April 2024Engagement with Key Experts, Young People, Policy Makers and others.NYCI - North South LGBTQI+ NetworkOnline zoom with youth workers to get their input and to develop a young person’s sessional activity for input in evidence review - January & February 2023Interviews with 11 identified key experts Summer 2023Workshops with young people - Spring 2023Online and in person consultations with youth workers Spring / Summer 2023Presentation of Proud Spaces Project at Conferences and EventsAll Island National LGBTQI+ Conference - 2 workshops with 30 youth work professionals to get input into emerging data and evidence - Dundalk, Ireland - May 2023IGLYO AGM Conference - Podgorica, Montenegro - Workshop with delegates to share findings and project results October 2023Leargas Showcase - Presentation of the Proud Spaces project to attendees - Tullamore, Offaly - November 2023Youth Work Ireland LGBTQI+ Community of Practice Group Residential - Presentation of results, findings and evidence from the project to 30 youth workers - Athlone, Westmeath - May 2024Presentation of Proud Spaces at Youth Work Ireland’s National AGM Partner Online Check-in Meetings8th April 202222nd July 20221st September 20226th September 2022 (ECYC - new secretariat) 13th October 202224th November 20225th January 202316th February 202311th May 202322th June 20233rd August 202314th September 202323rd February 202421st March 2024<< Results >>The main outputs from this project are as follows:Project Result 1 (Youth Work Ireland Laois)The first project output was the publication of an evidence review of youth work practices within formal and non formal spaces for young LGBTQI+ people. This output identified evidence based LGBTQI+ youth work best practices for youth workers and other professionals working to support the inclusion and rights of LGBTQI+ people growing up in Europe. This output / project result was carried out by Youth Work Ireland Laois and include:European Union Youth Policy ReviewIrish Youth Policy ReviewAn extensive literature review which focused on describing youth work practices with young LGBTQI+ along with lived experience review.Interview with identified key experts / influencers in the European youth work sector.Workshops and a survey with young LGBTQI+ to gauge their experiences of what a safe and inclusive space is and how it can be created..Workshops and interviews with youth worker professionals to explore practices they say achieve positive outcomes for young LGBTQI+ people and to inform them of the outcomes of the young people’s consultations.Theory of Change informed by evidence and findings.Detailed analysis of evidence surfaced.Project Result 2 (Youth Work Ireland)The second project output built on the research and evidence surfaced in project result 1 to develop a LGBTQI+ Youth Work Practice framework which aimed at assisting those working with young LGBTQI+ to better articulate their practice and demonstrate the outcomes of their work. The resource ‘Moving LGBTQI+ Youth Work towards Promising Practices’ was guided by youth workers and young LGBTQI+ people. It provides for a better understanding of the role youth work practices can and do play in supporting young LGBTQI+ people. It builds the knowledge, skills, capacity and practices of those working with young LGBTQI+ people in formal and non-formal settings. It also establishes a vision of youth work that is grounded in practice and supported by research and embedded in a clear set of principles and values that are essential to achieving better outcomes. This output/ project result was carried out by Youth Work Ireland and included:Model of LGBTQI+ youth work - ‘Moving LGBTQI+ Youth Work Towards Promising PracticesTheory of Change - informed by the evidence review of project result 1 and further developed from additional consultations and interviews with LGBTQI+ youth workers, experts and young people. This TOC provides a high level overview of a youth work process of working with young LGBTQI+ people. The activities and outcomes were identified by practitioners and refined through additional consultations with stakeholders.The identification of a clear set of Principles and Values that support LGBTQI+ youth work. A detailed Competency Framework which outlines the knowledge, behavior, attitudes and skills workers should have or aim to have to support and work with young LGBTQI+ and which achieve impact and positive outcomes. Project Result 3 (ECYC)The 3rd output / project result was carried out by ECYC and used the evidence and findings from the previous project results to develop a policy initiative aimed at advocating for inclusive policies with policy makers in Europe. The project result ‘Youth Work Advancing Equity for LGBTQI+ Youth’ seeks to prompt policy makers and stakeholders to prioritize the development and implementation of enabling, inclusive and effective policies that will result in collaboration in order to advance the rights of young LGBTQI+ people. The project result found that LGBTQI+ youth work in Europe exists within an extensive framework of policy, legislation and international agreements and in this context European countries are bound by a positive obligation to safeguard all young people from discrimination. It also found that as LGBTQI+ youth work contributes to reducing discrimination and social exclusion of young LGBTQI+ people by empowering them and those who support them to, the significance and role fo LGBTQI+ youth work to counter and buffer discrimination and advocate for fundamental rights cannot be understated.The policy initiative found that European and national policies in regards to LGBTQI+ rights lack intersectional approaches - particularly for those young LGBTQI+ people belonging to marginalized communities based on race, ethnicity, disability or socio-economic status. Therefore intersectional approaches to policy development and implementation are needed to tackle the multiple forms of discrimination and oppression faced by young LGBTQI+ people. The policy initiative sets out 10 recommendations and it is hoped that by making policy makers aware of these recommendations they will be more inclined to take actions to tackle the identified gaps and challenges, and work to create a Europe where equality, inclusion and respect for the rights and wellbeing of young LGBTQI+ people is to the fore in policy development. Project Result 4 (Growspace)The fourth project result by partner Growspace aimed at developing an LGBTQI+ ranking process for young people in Poland and Belgium to rank how inclusive their educational spaces are. This output involved consultation with young LGBTQI+ people in formal education settings where they were asked about practices they considered to result in feelings of inclusivity and equality - which includedEffective work with LGBTQI+ youth requires asking questions, listening and learning on the part of youth workers.The situation for LGBTQI+ youth can be very dynamic, with concepts and ideas about identity changing very quickly so youth workers need to be continually support so they can be an effective support to young LGBTQI+ people.Youth workers need to ask questions sincerely and with good intentions, to listen, understand and accept the experiences and ideas of LGBTQI+ young people about themselves This project result also expands on the principles that underpin LGBTQI+ youth work and sets out seven core principles of youth work which contribute to the inclusion and equality of young LGBTQI+ people.