Description
Child bullying in educational facilities in Lithuania is among highest in Europe. Project aims at fostering active citizenship through promoting volunteering and mobilizing local communities in fight with bullying, with special focus on development of participatory role of children and youth. Project also seeks to contribute to increased involvement of NGOs in policy and decision-making processes related to human rights. Project outcomes: 1) 8 local communities (schools) mobilised for fight against bullying and active participation in related decision-making; 2) NGO trainings on advocacy conducted; 3) NGO involvement in policy and decision-making related to human rights developed. 12 experts-practicians shall be trained for work with communities; bullying study conducted, and methodology for schools for dealing with bullying prepared; educational anti-bullying and active participation camp organized; NGOs, schools and local community grass roots activists trained in advocacy. Bullying prevention mechanisms established in 8 municipalities. Project shall target children and youth, NGOs, schools and local communities, local government.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at solving problem of bullying in Lithuania, with a focus on reducing bullying in Lithuanian schools, as well as on promotion of active citizenship and strengthening of local NGOs. Project goal – to create a safe school environment in 8 municipalities through the promotion of active citizenship and empowerment of the school community, with a special focus on children and youth participation in decision making processes. Project objectives were 1) to mobilize local communities for active citizenship and increase their participation in policy and decision making, 2) to organize advocacy training for NGOs, 3) to encourage the involvement of NGOs in the policy shaping and decision making processes related to human rights. The following activities were implemented: promotion of active citizenship and participatory democracy, including citizens' groups at local level, with particular emphasis on volunteering; awareness-raising activities; participation in policy-making and decision-making processes; capacity building and organizational support for NGOs; educational and training activities. These activities allowed achieving the following results – advocacy trainings organized for NGOs; NGOs involved in the policy and decision making processes related to human rights, including the hatred, xenophobia, homophobia, and multicultural understanding. The project involved 641 unique participants – children/youth, 1519 unique participants – school community members, 47 unique participants – NGOs and local community members. The project has been implemented in 8 municipalities, in 24 schools. During the project 12 expert practitioners have been trained, methodical materials (1000 CDs) were developed and disseminated, 1 study on the prevalence of bullying and violence conducted, 1 educational camp organized, effective bullying prevention mechanisms were implemented. The project has made a significant impact in changing attitude of school community members towards bullying, they are now much more aware that bullying is actually a form of hate speech which offends human dignity and in turn is a violation of human rights. Project promoter has chosen various descriptive measure to draw attention to chain of consequences of bullying and its effect on person’s mental health. As children are the most active in spreading the ideas of the project it is expected that the impact of project shall extend long beyond the completion of activities.
Summary of bilateral results