Erasmus+Inclusion and Diversity

Supporting young people with fewer opportunities

13.30 – 13.45: Introduction 13.45 – 14.10: Presentations: How do we engage with young people with fewer opportunities? What are the challenges - and how we have overcome them? 

Emma Kyles, Jack Kane Community Centre John Stewart, Northern Ireland Assembly

14.10 – 14.40: Group discussions14.45 – 14.55: Sharing key ideas across all sub groups14.55 – 15.00: Round-up/close

Agenda

Opportunities for non-formal learning• Key Action 1: Mobility projects for young people and

youth workers• Key Action 2: Partnerships between organisations –

supporting innovation and exchange of good practice• Key Action 3: Projects bringing together young

people and decision-makers – enabling young people to help shape policy

Erasmus+ Youth projects

• Supporting young people with fewer opportunities is central to EU youth programmes

• 2007: Inclusion Strategy launched under Youth in Action

• 2015: Inclusion and Diversity Strategy launched under Erasmus+

• Action by National Agencies to encourage inclusion and diversity in all stages of Erasmus+ Youth projects

• Support from SALTO Resource Centres and from National Agencies’ TCA events (listed on SALTO Training Calendar)

• Action by different stakeholders needed!

Inclusion and diversity in Erasmus+ Youth projects

• Disability• Health problems• Educational difficulties• Cultural differences• Economic obstacles• Social obstacles• Geographical obstacles

Inclusion and diversity Common difficulties

Northern Ireland Assembly Connections Project

John StewartDirector of Information and Outreach

Project in brief

‘Connections’ aims to promote structured dialogue between decision makers and young people.

We recruited 36 young people, aged between 16 and 18, from across Northern Ireland.

They researched an issue of their choice and will communicate their findings to Assembly Committees.

Project Aims

Topic

The young people decided to research 3 facets of mental health:

• in school• in the community • services available

Filming

Filming

Filming

Research

The participants were trained in research methods by Assembly Research staff and Queen’s University Belfast Academics from the School of Education.

• Quantitative Methods • Qualitative Methods

Presenting to Committees

The young people will present their films and research findings to Northern Ireland Assembly Committees.

• Presentation training • Catalyst for discussion• Recommendations • Policy influence

Inclusion and Diversity- we have supported young people with fewer opportunities by:

1 Planning for the E+ application2 Developing a Recruitment Policy and Procedure 3 Considering Section 75 legislation4 Ongoing programme support

1 Planning for the E+ Application

Reflecting demography of NI, it was agreed that we would aim to recruit:

• 18 participants with fewer opportunities; and

• 6 participants with special needs.

2 Recruitment

• Development of an Applicant Support Document

• Accessible Application Form/Monitoring Form

• Face to face visits to ‘hard to reach’ groups

2 Recruitment Contacted 513 organisations.

All schools – Secondary, Grammar, Alternative, FHE

Action Mental Health The Rainbow project Disability ActionNICEM VOYPIC Youth ActionBYTES Prince’s Trust MENCAPGLYNI Roe Valley Community WIMPS

3 Section 75 Legislation

4 Ongoing Support

Engagement Committee forward work programmeScrutiny Policy decisions

• What are the difficulties faced by the young people in your projects/organisation (e.g. disability, health problems, educational difficulties, cultural differences, economic/social/geographical and other obstacles)?

• What are the challenges faced by your organisation in supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable young people?

• How have you overcome these challenges? – How did you engage with young people?– Who did you work with to overcome barriers?– How did you support your staff (e.g. training)?

Group discussions

• Inclusion and Diversity Strategy steering-group meeting (October 2015)

• Learning Networks: Widening Participation theme• Transnational Cooperation Activities (e.g. Tackling

Educational Barriers project)• Erasmus+ pan-European Project Results Platform

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/

Next steps: share your achievements

• Key Actions 1, 2, and 3: https://erasmusplus.org.uk/youth-funding

• Transnational Cooperation Activities: https://erasmusplus.org.uk/transnational-cooperation-activities

• SALTO Cultural Diversity: https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/cultural-diversity/ianddstrategy/

• Eurodesk http://eurodesk.org/

Erasmus+ Youth projectsResources

Erasmus+ is the European Union programme for education, training, youth and sport.The Erasmus+ UK National Agency is a partnership between the British Council and Ecorys UK.

Erasmus+ UK National AgencyFind us online

www.erasmusplus.org.uk

@erasmusplusuk

www.facebook.co.uk/ukerasmusplus