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Description
“Youth Circle” is a non-formal education project based on Children’s Parliament that aims to promote active citizenship and knowledge and understanding of the rights of children and youth living in social neighborhoods, giving them a voice. It aims for children and youth people to reflect collaboratively, to experience the appreciation of their ideas and their ability to intervene and to work in groups for a better world, promoting successful social and professional pathways.
Summary of project results
According to the Local Security Contract of the Municipality of Oeiras (CLS, 2018), the municipal neighborhoods residents in Portugal, regardless of origin, nationality, family backgrounds, and professional trajectories, tend to occupy a vulnerable position in society. The document highlights the urgent need to reduce social vulnerabilities, prevent juvenile delinquency, and eliminate criminogenic factors contributing to crime rates in the intervention areas. It emphasizes the importance of finding participatory and localized responses to address specific needs and problems.
The CLS recognizes that local communities have the capacity to develop alternative development proposals through integrated plans based on GOV IN (Integrated Governance) models, encompassing social, educational, environmental, housing, and cultural sectors, among others. The Educational Charter of Oeiras (2007) also stresses the strategic promotion of resources organized in networks of cooperation and mutual aid, fostering greater civic participation and responsibility, generating increased citizen trust in institutions, and mobilizing the community.
In the Municipality of Sintra, ACAS works with the Casal de São José neighborhood, a social housing area in the parish of Algueirão Mem Martins, identified as a priority intervention territory with a high risk of child and youth exclusion (risk level 3). This neighborhood is characterized by ethnic diversity, including Portuguese migrants, PALOP communities, and the Roma community. There are 142 households with approximately 435 residents, who face economic hardships (relying on state income), low educational attainment (never attended school), and poor professional qualifications (precarious jobs and unemployment). A 2013 study of Sintra''s municipal neighborhoods identified major family issues such as alcohol consumption, family conflicts, and drug use.
The project activities were implemented through two youth circles, one in Oeiras and another in Sintra, which involved weekly meetings between young people, a facilitator, and a trainer. The project began with a survey of local needs by administering questionnaires in social housing neighborhoods to understand the population''s perception of existing problems, followed by training for the team of trainers and facilitators.
The results were slightly below expectations due to the COVID-19 situation, which initially led to sessions being moved online, resulting in a drastic reduction in participation. Subsequently, weekly meetings were suspended for two months (June and July), which was later compensated by extending the project for an additional two months.
A best practices manual and an SDG charter were created for distribution to those interested in the methodology.
The methodology used, "Children’s Parliament," is a set of collaborative tools within non-formal education that allowed children and young people from vulnerable contexts to understand their rights, recognize, and value their voices within the community.
The two organizations, the promoting entity (ACAS) and the partner entity (KMT), conducted an external diagnosis of their needs and, based on the action plan, carried out the following actions: Training on public procurement, which increased the promoting entity''s capacity to present accounts with greater transparency and reduced the possibility of errors in the required administrative procedures. Communication management training helped the promoting entity understand the mistakes made in their communication, learn how to leverage social media, and create unified internal and external communication for various ongoing projects.
These actions involved other local partners, totaling 10.
The project achieved significant results by working with young people at risk of social exclusion, using participatory methodologies. Three NGOs collaborated on this initiative, with two of them conducting needs assessments, training, and preparing action plans. A total of 64 individuals participated in 85 sessions, which facilitated their engagement and development.
A video was produced and published on the project''s page on the promoting entity''s website, providing a visual summary of the project''s activities and outcomes. Additionally, decks of SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) cards were created and made available for download on the project''s page, serving as educational tools to raise awareness about the SDGs.
A comprehensive manual was also developed, offering guidance and best practices for implementing similar projects. The young participants successfully carried out six community intervention projects, demonstrating their ability to apply what they learned and make a positive impact in their communities.
Overall, the project empowered young people at risk of social exclusion, providing them with the skills and knowledge to actively participate in their communities and advocate for their rights. The involvement of 64 individuals in 85 sessions, the creation of educational materials, and the successful implementation of community projects highlight the project''s positive outcomes and its impact on the beneficiaries.