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Description
The project encourages young people from the Lower Silesia Region to undertake civic activity and act for the benefit of their local environment. In the recent period, due to the pandemic, the civic activity of young people has decreased for various reasons, such as: tiredness, difficulties related to remote learning, or fear of getting sick. The behaviour of young people from this period indicates pro-social attitudes on the one hand (e.g. shopping assistance for seniors) and extreme irresponsibility on the other (e.g. boycotting the wearing of masks). Building and strengthening civic engagement is therefore much needed in this group. In addition, research and our experience show that a period of forced isolation has had a very negative impact on the mental health of young people. Therefore group activities, environmental integration, shared positive experiences, improving teamwork and caring skills will be very beneficial for the mental health and social competence development of this group. The activities are addressed to approx. 60 people (6 groups of 10 persons) – the councillors of youth communal councils and initiative groups (that are not very active). Two leaders will work with each of the 6 groups, who will be among others representatives of the Youth Parliament of the Lower Silesian Province, trained and supported by mentors. We will conduct educational workshops for the above mentioned groups and then develop and implement with them various actions or initiatives in their local environments. Thanks to participation in the project, young people will develop soft competences (team building, interpersonal communication, etc.), and increase their activity for the benefit of local communities. The effect of the project will be the increase of knowledge and skills concerning joint activities, creation and planning of actions for the benefit of local environment and gaining positive experience in civic activities.
Summary of project results
The aim of the project was to mobilize Lower Silesian youth to engage in civic activity for local communities.
We carried out preparatory activities for the project, which consisted of re-examining the environment of youth councils, contacts with guardians, youth leaders and representatives of the youth council. Based on recruitment activities, we conducted two workshops for youth leaders, which took place in February this year.
We recruited youth groups together with youth leaders who contacted council supervisors and youth council chairmen. On this basis, we recruited 4 out of 6 communities. We organized an opening conference. Youth leaders actively participated in preparing the program for the event. The conference was held remotely.
We conducted two field workshops for members of youth councils from the rural commune of Dzierżoniów and the city of Dzierżoniów. In addition to the training effects achieved, we achieved added value in the form of integration of both groups, sometimes operating in the same area, which resulted in the planning of joint events. In the next reporting period, we started recording podcasts with young people and created accounts on streaming services. We conducted two field workshops for members of youth councils from the Trzebnica poviat, group 2). In addition to the training effects achieved, we achieved added value in the form of integration of both groups, sometimes operating in the same area, which resulted in the planning of joint events.
In the last reporting period, we covered 6 groups with an average of: 10 people - mainly councilors of less active youth councils of municipalities and initiative groups of such councils as the Youth Council of the City of Dzierżoniów, the Youth Council of the Dzierżoniów Commune, the Youth Group of the Trzebnicki poviat, the Youth Group of the Wisznia Mała commune. We engaged 12 youth leaders to animate and motivate them, including: from the Youth Assembly of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship. Each of the 6 groups will be worked with 2 leaders prepared by us for this task and supported by mentors. We conducted educational workshops in groups and developed and carried out actions/initiatives with them in their local environments.
These actions enabled young people to influence the shaping of their surroundings and were of various nature, e.g. cleaning the park with the participation of students, organizing an intergenerational festival, activities in a community center, and a campaign promoting the mental health of young people. The joint action of young people built their competences needed for active participation in social life at a basic level, e.g. youth council, a sense of agency and the ability to cooperate. It was also good practice for others. In this way, young people gained personal positive experiences in specific civic activities.
Number of people who improved their leadership skills - 19 (based on pre and post surveys)
Number of people who improved the competences necessary for group work (19 - based on pre and post surveys).