Youth Empowerment through co-creative Activity development
The project strengthened young people’s sense of participation and belonging by co-developing leisure activities together with young people and the professionals working with them. The aim was to support young people in becoming more connected to their own communities.
Funders
Project information
Implementation time
1.6.2023 – 31.5.2025
Funder
Erasmus+ 2021-2027 Cooperation Partnerships (KA2)
Research programme
Project type
Themes
Project Manager
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Partners
The project was implemented by UC Leuven-Limburg, Belgium (coordinator), CESIE Italy, and Laurea UAS, Finland.
Project background
Many young people feel excluded and are unable to find their place in their communities. Leisure activities do not always meet their needs, and their perspectives are not necessarily heard.
The project was initiated to better amplify young people’s voices and to enable them to co-develop meaningful activities together with professionals.
Project objectives
Young people (aged 13–30):
- To increase their sense of belonging and participation
- To provide opportunities to design and implement meaningful leisure activities
- To support especially those in challenging life situations
Professionals and organizations working with young people:
- To build effective networks and sustainable collaboration practices
- To strengthen competence in supporting youth participation
Project activities
- We explored young people’s experiences of belonging and leisure activities.
- We developed co-creation methods for use by young people and professionals.
- We piloted new leisure activities with different target groups.
- We trained professionals working with young people to strengthen inclusion.
- We organized Photovoice workshops where young people captured and shared their experiences.
- We published research and article collections based on project findings.
Key results and outputs
- Young people’s sense of participation was strengthened through concrete co-creation activities.
- Professionals’ understanding of young people’s everyday lives and needs deepened.
- New networks and sustainable collaboration models were created between organizations.
- Several publications were produced, including research on youth participation, inclusion of young people with immigrant backgrounds, and professionals’ perspectives.
- Visual stories were collected using the Photovoice method, highlighting young people’s perspectives and strengthening their voices in decision-making.
Publications
Young people’s experiences of inclusion at school, in leisure time, and in hobbies (in Finnish)
Sateenkaarinuorten kokema osallisuus koulussa, vapaa-ajalla ja harrastusten parissa. Sosionomiopiskelijat Katja, Amanda, Marianna & Anette, sekä YEA-hankkeen Kanervo, R. & Kurki, J. 2024.
Professionals’ views on youth inclusion and participation (in Finnish)
Ammattilaisten näkemyksiä nuorten osallisuudesta ja osallistamisesta. Forsander, C., Hirvonen, A., Mikkonen, E., Puustinen, M., Vickström, P., Kanervo, R. & Kurki, J. 2024.
Young people with immigrant backgrounds and inclusion in Finland (in Finnish)
Maahanmuuttajataustaiset nuoret ja inkluusio Suomessa. Määttänen, J., Suomalainen, K., Virta, N., Kanervo, R. & Kurki, J. 2024.
Article collection: Bridges of Belonging: Exploring Youth Empowerment, Inclusion, and Identity in a Changing World
Bridges of Belonging: Exploring Youth Empowerment, Inclusion, and Identity in a Changing World. (toim.) Kanervo, R. 2025
Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity in Palermo: A YEA Project Experience
Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity in Palermo: A YEA Project Experience. Kanervo, R., Kurki, J., De Santis, G., Ergish, Z. & Frederix, P. 2025
Making Young People’s Voices Heard Through Photo Stories
Making Young People’s Voices Heard Through Photo Stories. Kurki, J., De Santis, G., Ergish, Z., Frederix, P. & Kanervo, R. 2025
The YEA Project’s Journey in Youth Engagement
The YEA Project’s Journey in Youth Engagement. Kanervo, R., Kurki, J., De Santis, G., Ergish, Z. & Frederix, P. 2025
Sustainable development goals
Contacts
-
Riikka Kanervo
Senior Lecturer
riikka.kanervo@laurea.fi
+358 50 357 8551
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