Communities Organising movements

At the time of application, youth workers faced a wide range of challenges that worsened with the COVID-19 pandemic. A mix between insecurity and disengagement called for immediate action which settled the grounds for the development of the Communities Organising Movements (COM) project. Throughout the project lifespan, the partners worked together to find alternatives and actions to improve the outreach of young people and develop innovative ways to motivate and empower them. These actions were extended to improve youth work professionals’ competences and improve their role as active agents in their communities as it is important to consider these professionals’ impact on young people with fewer opportunities. These actions were reinforced by the possibility of acting at the European level, allowing less-experienced organisations to develop their experience and advocate for the possibilities of youth work by continuously supporting young people with fewer opportunities including those who live in rural areas.

In Europe, youth involvement in community life is vital for development. Since Covid-19, youth work faces challenges like limited financial support, decreased visibility, and lower engagement. The role of youth work in addressing evolving needs, influenced by digitalisation and social media, has grown more complex. There remains a critical need to improve the quality of youth work, recognise youth workers as active agents, and address the disconnect felt by many, especially in rural areas. The COM project aimed to create a comprehensive toolset for youth workers using digitalisation and non-formal education. These tools strengthened the capacity of youth workers, enabling them to effectively support and engage young people with fewer opportunities, including those in rural areas. Furthermore, the project focused on developing competencies for less-experienced organisations in this field. Additionally, the project contributed to supporting and recognising youth workers in local communities across countries. This was achieved by promoting youth work practices that enhanced visibility at the European level, fostered dialogue with stakeholders, and addressed the specific needs of communities through transnational cooperation.

The activities implemented during the COM project were: The training course explored digital methodologies for youth work, emphasising the digitalisation needs of those facing fewer opportunities and covering online communication strategies. The online seminar aimed to provide solutions and spark curiosity about social networks' impact on young people with fewer opportunities. Desk research, local surveys, and focus groups analysed youth work practices and challenges, recognising the role of youth workers as active agents in the lives of those with fewer opportunities. The non-formal learning activity focused on concepts and reflections about youth social inclusion, participation, and post-COVID community action. The kick-off meeting established responsibilities, prepared documents, fostered relationship-building, and ensured a clear project trajectory. Transnational virtual project meetings focused on project management, timelines, and refining objectives. Monitoring and internal evaluation assessed mid-term progress, shared impacts, and provided insights for continued development. The online multiplier event showcased project results, instructed on tool utilisation, and encouraged best practice exchange among youth organisations

The concrete outputs of the COM project were: To carry out a training course and a seminar on digitalisation and social networks for youth workers, which developed their transversal competences; to target young people with fewer opportunities and include those who live in rural areas. To carry out a working session with debates, a mapping visit, and a workshop for youth workers to promote youth social inclusion and active participation and put young people first in their communities. To investigate and develop research and carry out local surveys and focus groups to support youth work in local communities, by gathering knowledge, developing critical thinking, and analysing youth work processes with stakeholders. Other results achieved along the project lifecycle were: Visual identity and branding of the project which actively contributed to communication and dissemination strategies. This visual identity and branding included the project logo, digital (potentially printable) dissemination such as banners, leaflets, covers and templates as well as a website. The website adheres to all accessibility protocols, making it inclusive.