Project: Youth Integration – Through Art
Duration: 1.8.2019 – 31.5.2020
Reference Nr. 2019-2-DE04-KA105-018232
Grant Amount: 23,731 EUR
Donor: JUGEND für Europa, German National Agency for the Erasmus+ programme
The motivation behind Youth Integration – Through Art was to equip youth workers and performing arts educators, many of whom were migrants and refugees themselves, with the competencies, tools, and methods needed to support the cultural integration of marginalized youth across Europe.
This project addressed several pressing needs within participating communities:
– the lack of effective cultural integration methods for young refugees and immigrants,
– insufficient training for youth workers and educators in inclusive, art-based approaches,
– limited opportunities for marginalized youth to engage in expressive, intercultural, and inclusive learning environments,
– weak cross-border collaboration between EU and Western Balkan countries in youth engagement through art,
– lack of awareness in local communities about the role of art in promoting diversity, inclusion, and tolerance.
By using performing arts and non-formal learning as tools for inclusion, the project introduced a creative and human-centered approach to youth work. The goal was to enable marginalized youth, including immigrants and refugees, to find a sense of belonging and purpose, while helping youth workers and educators become more effective facilitators of integration.
Partners on this project:
YOUTH POWER GERMANY EV (DE)
CENTAR ZA JACANJE CIVILNOG DRUSTVA (RS)
UDRUGA ZA UNAPRJEDENJE SUVREMENIH ZIVOTNIH VJESTINA OSTVARENJE (HR)
Okret (BA)
SOS TELEFON ZA ZENE I DJECU ZRTVE NASILJA (ME)
Youth Power International LTD (UK)
YOUTH POWER/UNG KRAFT (SE)
The project directly improved the capacity of youth workers and educators in non-formal education and cultural inclusion. Participants returned to their communities with renewed confidence and innovative practices to apply in their organizations.
Key results included:
– The development and application of non-formal art-based methods for youth inclusion,
– Organization of local youth art events in partner countries to share project outcomes,
– Strengthened partnerships and networks between EU and Balkan youth organizations,
– New cooperation models for youth work focused on social inclusion and cultural diversity.
Participants also gained experience in intercultural collaboration and increased their awareness of the role art can play in healing, connecting, and empowering communities. As a long-term effect, youth organizations in partner countries are better equipped to support marginalized youth, launch inclusive initiatives, and foster collaboration across borders.
Von der Europäischen Union finanziert. Die geäußerten Ansichten und Meinungen entsprechen jedoch ausschließlich denen des Autors bzw. der Autoren und spiegeln nicht zwingend die der Europäischen Union oder der Europäischen Exekutivagentur für Bildung und Kultur (EACEA) wider. Weder die Europäische Union noch die EACEA können dafür verantwortlich gemacht werden.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.