More information
Description
The project CiviAct aims to mitigate the withdrawal of young people from school and civic life, particularly the most vulnerable ones, through the implementation of the experimental methodology ''Theatre of the Oppressed'', assuming itself as a pilot project to apply and test the feasibility of the methodology. Thus, it will empower, through participatory processes, 26 young citizens from vulnerable contexts of the city of Coimbra for active participation in the full exercise of their rights and duties, preventing risky behaviours, fostering their social inclusion, and leveraging the ability to outline projects and life goals.
Summary of project results
According to Guarda''s 2017 Operational Plan for Integrated Responses, there are various social responses to vulnerable groups, including children and young people at risk, in this district, each with their own areas of intervention, which try to respond to the priority problem areas identified in the municipality''s 2015 social diagnosis, one of which is Family and Communities, affecting households, in terms of the lack of response to the reception of victims, the lack of primary risk prevention measures and the matters already mentioned above in the target group. Despite the good work done by these organisations, their offer is very much focused on providing food and food distribution, as well as other goods such as clothing, while some of them also offer shelter, such as the Mãos Abertas (Open Hands) project, which has already been implemented. However, they neglect the importance of psychological well-being in these situations, and there is a gap here that the project aims to fill by providing accompanied care and psychosocial and socio-educational support for these children and young people in situations of risk. It is therefore clear that there is a need to support and support, activate communication and in certain cases provide emotional involvement with children and young people who are victims of this type of situation, and to train the organisations responsible for working with this group on a daily basis.
The project aims to provide solutions to mitigate these problems through the direct participation of 50 children/young people from the target group in creative illustration and writing workshops, as well as Coaching and Personal Development Sessions for Children and Young People. By organising these occupational activities, the aim is to work on areas related to identity, creativity, emotional intelligence, talent development, well-being, goals and purpose for these children. The aim is also to create methodologies for self-discovery and growth, so that these children''s current conditions don''t become a limiting factor or define their future. The aim is to create long-term tools in the being of these children/young people so that they feel supported rather than limited, and that one day and through their experience during their participation in this project, they will also be conscious Active Citizens with the capacity to instigate change.
The Right to Be a Child project aimed to strengthen civil society, active citizenship and empower 50 vulnerable children and young people institutionalised at the Reception and Social Insertion Centre through creative workshops and personal development coaching sessions. A total of 29 children were reached, several of whom took part in both activities.
The activities were carried out by a consultant who organised 150 hours of creative workshops and 100 hours of coaching for four different age groups.
The project carried out a campaign to raise awareness among civil society, including partner organisations, by creating and printing 400 brochures, 50 posters and 50 desk calendars, presenting and describing the project, publicising the workshops and the coaching sessions aimed at the community.
As part of the training, an Organisational Diagnosis and Action Plan were carried out.
The Laura Santos Foundation''s Right to Be a Child Project aimed to strengthen civil society, active citizenship and empower vulnerable children and young people, especially those institutionalised at the Reception and Social Insertion Centre (Open Hands Project).
The training was carried out through artistic creation workshops and coaching sessions. The dynamization of these occupational activities aimed to strengthen areas related to identity, creativity, emotional intelligence, talent development and well-being.
The results of this project were fostering self-esteem and promoting the development of communication skills and interpersonal relationships; promoting personal and social appreciation through the acquisition of personal and social skills (identifying and expressing feelings, communication styles, problem-solving, decision-making); working on the potential of the target group in order to help them extract, work on all their talents and abilities; preventing adjustment problems; strengthening human capital in social areas; understanding the importance of workshops in intervening with groups, particularly in terms of stimulating and sensitising them to reflect on the world around them in a personal and critical way.