Youth involvement in significant communities
29 June 2018
Five new methodology projects will focus on engaging vulnerable and socially disadvantaged young people in constructive and significant communities.
Youth organisations, municipalities and a number of voluntary associations are in the process of launching five new projects. This effort will give vulnerable and socially disadvantaged young people a chance to participate in new and meaningful communities.
At the beginning of the year, VELUX FONDEN invited a number of people working in the social area to think of creative ways to help the young people move on in life. This has resulted in five grants for projects where young people can meet others that face the same challenges in life or has had the same special life experiences. The aim is to help the young people feel less isolated and alone facing the challenges.
More about the five projects
Young people in village clusters – ambitious lasting communities
DGI (Danish Gymnastics and Sport Associations) has received a grant of DKK 3.2 million for a three-year project
Young people in rural areas, as opposed to those living in the major cities, are offered few activity opportunities and meeting points and often feel less satisfied with their lives.
DGI will develop a new concept for how young people across resources, age and social backgrounds can be inspired to take ownership and establish ambitious lasting communities in the rural areas. The communities will offer all young people a chance to develop social and personal skills so that they can encourage each other, thus creating changes for the entire local area.
The target group is young adults (16-25 years) and the primary focus is on mobilising the 16-19 year olds with no or poor connection to the education system and the labor market.
A future in Denmark
Danish Refugee Council Youth (DFUNK) has received DKK 3.7 million for a two-year project
Young refugees coming to Denmark are in a position where they need to build a network, learn the language and the social codes and learn how to participate in associational life and be a part of the Danish democracy.
DFUNK will - through three new education efforts - develop and test methods that can give the young refugees a stronger foothold in the labor market and greater well-being and community engagement. The efforts will consist of a 'buddy' system between young refugees and Danish youth. The 'buddies' will participate in businesses workshops and transition programs from local associations, educational establishments and workplaces.
The target group is young refugees aged 15-29, who does not participate in existing mentoring schemes or other supportive offers.
A healthy life for young people - a development project involving the users
The municipality of Copenhagen has received a grant of DKK 2.9 million for a three-year project
The project will develop new methods for establishing health promoting communities for very vulnerable young people as a counterpart to more destructive youth communities, such as gangs.
Being active, involved and integrated in a community in collaboration with socioeconomically advantaged youth can strengthen the social mobility of the vulnerable young people. This may pave the way towards a more positive and active citizenship.
The primary target group is approx. 150 young people aged 16-23. They live in high-crime areas, have no education or employment and they are significantly more challenged in relation to their mental, social and physical health.
An asphalt community
GAME Denmark has received a grant of DKK 3.9 million for a three-year project
The aim of the project is to include psychosocially challenged children and adolescents in positive street sports communities to strengthen their identity. This is done through the aid of young bridge-building volunteers who have previously faced the same psychosocial challenges. The volunteers will inspire the young people to further participate in street sports. The establishment of a street mentor training programme for professionals will also ensure an anchoring of the methodology of the project.
The target group is 240 young people between the ages of 11-15 from special schools and institutions.
Excitor - educating role models
Danish People's Aid has received a grant of DKK 4.8 million for a three-year project.
The project has two main purposes. Firstly, to 'educate' vulnerable youngsters into role models in a constructive learning community and secondly, integrate vulnerable children into local community associations. This is done through the development of an approach in which young people are involved in an education and learning process in a network with other young people. This can strengthen the vulnerable children and young people in the local community.
The project has two target groups: vulnerable young people (14-21 years) that will be educated to become Excitors/role models and younger children and adolescents (7-14 years), who will receive help to be integrated into the local community.
What is a constructive community for young people?
A social community where a young person, through community participation, is given the opportunity to develop personal, social and professional skills that can support them in choosing a way of life.
The development of the constructive communities can e.g. happen through an interdisciplinary collaboration between municipal institutions, local organisations or associations and, if necessary, through local corporate world.
Good suggestions for targeted activities for the benefit of young people
With the grants for the five projects, VELUX FONDEN aims to promote the development of a new methodology for organising constructive communities for young people in socially vulnerable positions.
"Children and young people can be very affected when they feel isolated from a community. The constructive communities must be social communities that provide everyone the opportunity to develop personally, socially and professionally. Thus, the constructive community can also help to support the growth and education of the young people", says Ane Hendriksen, Executive Director of VELUX FONDEN.
