Rainbow Audio-visual literacy for Youth Organisations

Background The reason we applied for the project was mainly the situation of LGBT+ persons in the EU. International surveys show that LGBT+ persons face obstacles to enjoying their fundamental rights.This was contributed by the fact that existing European teaching and training methodologies haven't been efficient to increase social and civic youth activism. There are difficulties to find methods of interventions in order to empower LGBT+ young people through embracing personal vulnerability and communication about it to a wider audience.And here we saw the huge potential and importance of digital storytelling and audiovisual literacy as an effective tool to be applied in youth work. Out intention was to address inadequate use of this methodology in youth work by aiming at the crucial aspect: awareness, knowledge and skill of youth workers. Digital Storytelling is a relatively new term which describes the practice of ordinary people who use digital tools to tell their story (digital narratives). Beside any individual usage, the Digital Storytelling method can be perfectly used for professional development, as a reflective practice, as a pedagogical strategy, a vehicle for education, community mobilisation, or advocacy. Objectives Main focus of this project was on increasing quality of youth work in Europe through supporting professional development and capacities of those who work with LGBT+* youth, as well as through supporting youth workers in developing and sharing effective methods in reaching out to diverse groups of young people.. Within the framework of this project we planned to explore and educate professionals working with LGBT+ young people about the benefits of audiovisual literacy with special emphasis on digital storytelling. These methods and tools can be applied in a diverse context and with various target groups. This project was very much focused on empowerment of those who work with LGBT+ young people and young LGBT+ people themselves and via this to change public perception of LGBT+ community. Additionally, Audiovisual literacy builds in us the ability to think critically, become smart consumers and producers of information and act from the point of empathy. Implementation We implmented three international trainings: 1) a short-term joint staff training event: Introduction to Digital Storytelling method and Audiovisual Literacy. 2)aA short-term joint staff training event (C2) Digital Storytelling and Audiovisual Literacy in working with local communities. 3) blended mobility of young people: Facilitating Digital Storytelling workshops with youth and between youth. The project also delivered local seminars in partner countries on the topic of Audiovisual Storytelling. Achievements The most important result of the project is a development of the core team of RAYLO facilitators from 10 European countries who are equipped with knowledge and skills to prepare and implement LGBT+ oriented digital storytelling and audio-visual literacy enhancing projects at local level. Second result is creation of one-fits-all RAYLO Toolkit (in the form of written documents including workshops plans + exercises) that are designed for trainers, educators and facilitators who work in LGBT+ non-formal education settings.