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Description
The aim of the Corona Kid project is to strengthen civic engagement of partners and children and youth during the coronavirus epidemic through non-formal cultural and artistic education. The specific objectives of the project are to support education in the field of civic education (CE) and human rights of children and young people, and to provide systematic support and empower children and young people int he field of CE through non-formal cultural and artistic education during the corona virus epidemic. We will provide support to children and young people, as our primary target group, through a series of online audio digitalisation workshops. In this way, children and youth will acquire new knowledge and skills related to CE, the use of new technologies and have a chance for socialization. Also, this activity will encourage them to engage in civic engagement and care for others in the time of epidemic in an innovative way. In addition to the workshop, participants (children and youth) will be able to be beneficiaries of the project as consumers of the resulting content and by actively participating in calls for actions to be created by the workshop participants. By creating articles and radio shows on these topics, we want to support education in the field of civic education during the coronavirus era. The secondary target group is the representatives of partners and workshop leaders who will acquire new knowledge and skills through the project in the use of non-formal cultural education in the field of CE. The RUKE Association is the project leader and will play the role of coordinator and contribute to the project with its experience and knowledge in the field of non-formal education of children and young people. Partner Rijeka City Library brings content creation and editing skills, while the Ri Rock Association is in the field of sound recording and editing.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address several challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its impact on the mental health of children and young people. Due to school closures, restricted social interactions, and limited access to extracurricular activities, many children and youth experienced increased anxiety, isolation, and stress. The project sought to counteract the loss of structure, social engagement, and creative outlets by providing children and young people with opportunities for active participation in cultural, artistic, and educational activities, even during the crisis.
The project conducted a series of 11 online workshops over two and a half months, focusing on audiodigitalization, civic education, and cultural-artistic education. These workshops enabled children and young people to engage in creating and producing content, including radio programs. The participants produced four radio shows, with 12 articles being digitalized into audio format. The articles, written by experts, covered topics such as human rights, mental health, activism, civic education, new technologies, and DIY culture. The project also included activities like developing vocal skills, learning to use various technologies, and contributing to online discussions. A key output was the creation of educational content for youth, helping them navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
The project successfully engaged 12 children and young people, empowering them to become active creators rather than passive consumers of content. They developed new skills in audio production, communication, and digital technologies. The project had a positive impact on their mental health by providing them with a sense of purpose, creativity, and connection during a time of isolation. The project also helped raise awareness of important issues such as mental health, human rights, and civic engagement. The beneficiaries were primarily the children and young people who participated, but the broader community, including families, schools, and listeners of the radio shows, also benefited from the content produced, promoting a sense of solidarity and collective engagement during the pandemic.