Advocacy to Go

Context and needs

Young people have causes close at hand – transport, spaces, access to education, real consultation – but not the method to influence a public decision. The project started from the need to prepare them to become effective activists for youth rights in their communities.

Objectives

Developing the participants’ advocacy skills: initiating, implementing and evaluating a campaign; dialogue and cooperation with at least four local authorities, institutions and organisations; mapping and analysing youth rights issues at local, national and European level; drawing up six local advocacy plans; developing critical thinking, debate, community organising and an inclusive attitude.

Activities

Ten days in Bodo, implemented with four partner organisations. Team building, preparation on Erasmus+ and Youthpass, mapping of local situations, debate and argumentation, planning and implementing the campaigns, sessions on social inclusion, project management, dialogue with the institutions and organisations involved, and alternative participation methods. Communication with the partners was constant, by e-mail and dedicated groups.

Results and impact

According to the final report, participants gained solid advocacy knowledge, developed practical planning and organising skills and learned to interact with local authorities and organisations. They became more inclusive and more open to diversity. The partner organisations expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation, and the six advocacy plans were taken up in the home communities.