Take the activism

Description

The project activities will encourage the involvement of children and youth in the life of the local community using the potentials and opportunities of participatory processes and volunteering. We will help them organize activities at school or in the community. Through interactive workshops, work in small groups, writing papers and other activities, we will encourage critical thinking of children and young people. By connecting and acting together, the organizations involved will strengthen the relationship between civil society organizations, educational institutions and the local community, including decision-makers, and work in a networked way to design and implement civic education.

The project will strengthen democratic culture, civic awareness and activism among children and youth in the rural areas of the Municipality of Tuhelj and the Municipality of Kumrovec. Children and young people, volunteers and local self-government units are the primary target group and beneficiaries of the project, and with them the target groups are educators in formal education. The implementation of a set of educational workshops will strengthen the capacities of children and youth for active participation in the local community. Volunteer activities will strengthen volunteering in the local community and will increase the number of children and young people who work through volunteering to actively participate in the life of the local community with the aim of long-term community development. In addition, support will be provided to children in school volunteer clubs through volunteer activities. The added value of local partners, two elementary schools, is to reach to and coverage of children and youth from targeting communities. Besides, schools will contribute to sustainability of the project results and achievements. 

Summary of project results

This project focuses on the theme of active youth participation in rural areas within the municipalities of Tuhelj and Kumrovec. Both municipalities are neighboring local government units located in the western part of the Krapina-Zagorje County. There has been a decrease in the population, which can be attributed to negative natural population growth and the migration of younger individuals to urban areas in search of employment and better living conditions. Both municipalities have rural settings with a development index below 100%.

The project, conducted in partnership with educational institutions, aims to motivate children and young people to actively participate in their local communities. Based on years of experience in developing and implementing programs for youth, there is a need to better connect with and influence young people to engage in decision-making processes in rural areas. Young people often perceive social issues and policymaking as the sole responsibility of political parties. Additionally, they may be hesitant to participate in processes they are not familiar with. This project aims to demonstrate that young people can and should actively participate, and it is the responsibility of all stakeholders, including political parties, non-governmental organizations, youth, institutions, schools, and more, to facilitate this involvement.

By involving young people in decision-making processes, the project aims to improve the quality of life for youth and the entire community. The Municipality of Tuhelj recognizes the importance of active youth participation in decision-making processes. The project "Tuhelj FOR Youth!" resulted in the development of a Local Youth Program for the Municipality of Tuhelj, enhancing the position of young people in the long term. While there is a foundation for active community participation, the Municipality and all stakeholders acknowledge the need for continuous improvement and the creation of new opportunities for youth engagement. This project aims to guide young people from the Municipality of Kumrovec to create and adopt a strategy that will be essential for enhancing the position of young people in Kumrovec in the future.

1.1. Workshops for Elementary School Students on Active Citizenship and Human Rights:

• 8 workshops instead of the planned 6 workshops
• These workshops covered topics such as active citizenship, local community, and volunteering
• The workshops involved a total of 53 students and 13 experts from various elementary schools
• Students gained knowledge related to civic education, community participation, and volunteering in their communities
• Students also had the opportunity to discuss problems, needs, and propose solutions.

Furthermore, 2 volunteer action plans were developed by students during the educational activities.

1.2. Volunteer Actions:

• "Park Full of Colors" in Tuhelj: Students planted seedlings and annual plants in a children''s park, and they also painted play equipment.
• "Daytime Stay in Nature" in Kumrovec: Students refreshed the paint on existing benches and tables used for outdoor classes. They also covered an open classroom in the schoolyard with a roof, creating a shaded area for students'' free time and outdoor lessons.

1.3. Youth Needs Assessment:

• An online survey was conducted to assess the needs and issues of young people in the Kumrovec municipality.
• The survey received responses from 47 young individuals over a period of 32 days.

1.4. Public Event - Round Table Discussion:

• A public event was held in Kumrovec to present the results of the youth needs survey.
• The event also showcased best practices related to youth involvement in local communities.
• Representatives from local government units, youth councils, and stakeholders participated in the event.

1.5. Work Meetings with Stakeholders:

• One work meeting was held with various stakeholders from the Tuhelj Municipality.
• Another work meeting took place with various stakeholders from the Kumrovec Municipality.
• During these meetings, action plans for volunteer activities were created.

1.6. Volunteer Actions:

• "Exercise in the Shade" in Tuhelj: Volunteers improved the area around a street workout park by planting trees to provide shade for outdoor exercisers.
• "Active Break in the Shade" in Kumrovec: Volunteers sanded and prepared wooden planks for benches at a volleyball court and planted new vegetation.

1.7. Promotional Materials:

• Promotional materials, including 100 water bottles, 100 postcards, 100 pens, 100 canvas bags, and 100 notebook stickers, were designed and produced.

1. Strengthening Civil Society and Active Citizenship:

   • Empowered vulnerable groups.
   • Educated 53 students about civic education, community participation, volunteering, and how to organize volunteer actions, as well as the importance of the civil sector in community development.
   • Engaged 13 experts (from Tuhelj and Kumrovec) who supported student volunteers in implementing volunteer actions.
   • Created a total of 16 drawings illustrating volunteering (7 in Kumrovec and 9 in Tuhelj) and organized 2 exhibitions to showcase the students'' work to their peers and school staff.
   • Produced postcards featuring the best works, both in print and online.

2. Support for Education on Civil and Human Rights:

   • Project leaders contributed to the development of an educational program for educational institutions focused on civic and human rights.

3. Systematic Support for Vulnerable Groups:

   • Conducted an online survey to assess the needs and problems of young people in the Kumrovec municipality.
   • Analyzed the survey results, which were presented at a public event in Kumrovec.
   • Shared best practices from the Tuhelj Municipality and Krapinsko-Zagorska County in creating youth strategies.
   • Involved representatives of local government units, youth councils from Tuhelj and Krapinsko-Zagorska County, and other stakeholders in the public event.

4. Promotion of Citizen Mobilization and Engagement:

   • Engaged 23 volunteers in two volunteer actions.

5. Increased Capacity and Sustainability of Civil Society:

   • Systematically informed the public about project activities through various communication channels.

Overall, these achievements demonstrate the project''s successful efforts in promoting active citizenship, youth engagement, and community development in rural areas, particularly in the municipalities of Tuhelj and Kumrovec.