More information
Description
The problem addressed by this project is young people''s low civic engagement in the city of Rybnik and the lack of a local policy in this area. As part of the project, we initiate actions to activate children and youth and involve young people in the creation of the Rybnik City Strategy for the Young. We conduct classes, during which children aged 7-9 learn about debate as a basic tool of civic culture. They learn how to discuss, argue, express opinions, solve problems and work out compromises. Together with young people, we are working on the Rybnik City Strategy for the Young – a new local policy in the city. We are creating two online networks: one for teachers and one for NGOs working with children and youth. The people involved in the networks will share their knowledge and experience, so that more young people will be able to acquire and develop debating competences. We estimate that, as a result of the project, around 200 individuals (children and young people) will be able to infer, argue and discuss what is important to them. The strategic partner in the project is the city of Rybnik.
Summary of project results
The project "Rybnik - here children are seen AND heard" was created in response to the needs of the local community regarding the low level of civic involvement in the affairs of the city and its inhabitants, especially children and youth. The main goal of the project was to build the foundations for civic activation of children and youth and to create a new local policy in this area.
The main challenges that the project responded to were:
1. Lack of a strategy for the activation of children and youth: the city did not have a coherent policy for the civic activation of young residents, even though youth constitute an important social group. The existing Youth City Council was mainly aimed at older students and young adults, which left gaps in activities aimed at children.
2. Insufficient education of civic competences: civic education was limited to few hours in the school curriculum, which resulted in a lack of skills such as discussing, arguing and working out compromises among children and young people.
3. Outflow of young people from the city: Rybnik is struggling with the outflow of young people in search of better professional prospects, which is related to a limited sense of belonging and the lack of opportunities to actively participate in the life of the city.
4. Transformation of the city: in the context of socio-economic changes, such as moving away from the coal economy, it was necessary to involve young people in shaping the future of the city.
As part of the "Rybnik - here children are seen AND heard" project, a number of activities were carried out aimed at civic activation of children and young people and creating the foundations for a new local policy in this area. Key project activities and products:
1. Implementation of civic education for children aged 7-9:
- 12 early childhood education teachers were trained in conducting debates with children, including a two-day training and subsequent mentoring (6 hours per person).
- Classes were carried out in 13 classes, covering a total of 231 students who acquired discussion, argumentation and problem-solving skills.
2. Creating a coherent youth work strategy for Rybnik:
- Extensive diagnostic research was carried out, including surveys for parents, adolescents and young adults, and focus groups with young people from various backgrounds. 1,489 people took part in the research. A research report and its graphic version were created.
- A youth strategy was created, consulted with 212 primary school students and members of the Youth City Council.
3. Creating virtual collaboration platforms:
- Two platforms were launched: for teachers (focusing on conducting debates) and for non-governmental organizations (supporting civic activation of young people).
- The teachers'' network has developed the publication "Debate in the classroom. How to start working with the youngest", containing theoretical foundations of debates and good practices from the project.
4. Promotion and dissemination of results:
- A summary event was organized at the local library, during which the project results, publications and strategy were presented, as well as a debate with the participation of children.
- A promotional video summarizing the activities was prepared.
The project "Rybnik - here children are seen AND heard" produced results that influenced the development of the local community, especially children and youth. Key results and their beneficiaries:
1. Increasing civic competences in children and adolescents:
- 231 children aged 7-9 participated in debate classes, learning argumentation, active listening, presenting positions and solving problems. The teachers'' observations showed that 94.8% of the participants improved their skills in building arguments, and 90% developed self-presentation skills.
- 212 primary school students took part in youth strategy consultations, gaining a sense of influence on local decisions.
2. New tools and policies supporting civic activation:
- The "Głos Młodych" strategy was created, which sets the directions of activities for the involvement of children and youth in the life of the city.
- The publication "Debate in the classroom. How to start working with the youngest", which is a practical guide for teachers, and a report on diagnostic tests regarding the needs of young people.
3. Strengthening the cooperation of local institutions and organizations:
- Two cooperation platforms were created: for teachers conducting debates and for non-governmental organizations involved in youth activation. As a result, 10 organizations have established informal partnerships that strengthen their activities in the field of citizenship education.
Additionally, the project had a positive impact on the local community. Parents of participating children noticed significant improvements in their children''s communication and citizenship skills. Teachers involved in the project acquired new teaching competences that they use in their everyday work.
The project contributed to building long-term involvement of children and youth in the social life of Rybnik, strengthening their civic competences and tightening inter-sectoral cooperation in the city.