Reframing attitudes of minors and youth at risk of offending / re-offending through training

In recent years, the number of youth (juvenile) offenders in Europe has decreased. However, the rate of youth reoffending remains persistently high. Numerous studies across European countries indicate that the overwhelming majority (60-75%) of youth offenders tend to reoffend after their release. While several factors contribute to this phenomenon, the primary cause is often their social disintegration. Specifically, juvenile offenders face challenges in securing employment, leading to struggles with poverty, housing, and related issues. A significant factor contributing to their lack of employability is their limited access to education due to their involvement in the criminal justice system, coupled with a lack of awareness about the key competences required to enhance their employability. The proposed project addressed these challenges by collaborating with local NGOs, CSOs, and authorities to enhance the employability of minors and youth at risk of offending or reoffending, thereby facilitating their integration into society. Simultaneously, the proposed project addressed the following needs: NEEDS OF MINORS, YOUTH AT RISK OF OFFENDING OR REOFFENDING NEEDS OF PARTNERS, NGOs, AND CSOs SOCIETAL NEEDS ACROSS THE EU

- Strengthen ex-convicted child offenders’ competences and basic skills in order to ease their transition to adulthood and support their integration in the labour market. - Develop activities focusing on the strengthening of inclusion and employability of child offenders as young people with fewer opportunities. - Support CSOs focusing on the protection and the re-integration of child offenders and encourage young people at risk of marginalisation to regain their life and place in the society. - Engage CSOs and stakeholders from the business sectors and educate them to eliminate the stereotypes related to child offenders post release employability. - Strengthening the employability of youth people involved in the project. - Strengthen youth offenders’ soft skills through high quality educational material on the development of key employability skills, such as soft skills.

The project was founded upon a participatory approach, actively engaging the target group throughout all stages of its implementation. It was organized into four primary phases: Research and training (PR1), Open Educational Resources (PR2), Workshops and training sessions (PR3) Under PR4, the project developed a virtual participatory platform to establish a European network of young people with shared experiences from detention centers. This platform facilitated the exchange of ideas, provided guidance and tips on job search and application processes, and connected vulnerable youth with organizations offering consultation services and job opportunities, including internships. Additionally, the platform hosted learning resources such as the e-course and toolkit and organized an e-job fair where participants could interact with business representatives. - Organising 3 project meetings - Implement 6 Multiplier Events

The project activities were implemented with the delivery of the following outcomes: - PR1.A conducted a needs assessment to identify key competencies and life skills lacking among child offenders. The aim was to determine whether acquiring these skills would significantly increase their employability success rate. - PR2 introduced an e-learning/e-course focused on providing soft skills, encompassing communication, teamwork, work ethic, positive attitude, critical thinking, and leadership. As part of this outcome, YOUTH REGAINED piloted the e-course in local detention centers within consortium countries and among vulnerable youth. - PR3 organized educational and training workshops in partnership countries, involving ex-convicted child offenders and relevant Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). The results were summarized into an awareness-raising and policy toolkit for CSOs and youth organizations working with child offenders. The project outcomes included: - Extending the competencies of at least 200 ex-convicted child offenders as youth workers, collaborating with CSOs, youth organizations, and grassroots initiatives to enhance youth participation and motivate youth reintegration into society. - Improving access to CSOs, youth organizations, and best practices to ensure youth employability. - Supporting minors or youth at risk of offending/reoffending, along with relevant CSOs, in raising public awareness and contributing to the development of youth policies promoting active youth participation and garnering increased support and acceptance from employers. - Raising national and European awareness of the project's activities and achievements, and promoting its outputs and results to various stakeholders at local, regional, national, and EU levels.