Establish a Youth Centre in the city of Montana

About this project

<p style="text-align: justify"><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif">The main objective of the project is to improve the quality of life of young people of Montana including those at risk and disadvantaged people, by establishing a Youth Center, which will provide comprehensive services for youth related to innovative, educational and non-formal trainings, psychological help and support, forums on youth problems and challenges, cultural, civic and sports initiatives. The activities are focused to a wide range of educational modules, trainings and clubs based on non-formal methods. The ultimate objective is to build key competencies and skills for personal and professional development. The activities are aimed at supporting the multicultural approach and democratic values, promoting active participation of youth, both in public life and in the activities&nbsp;of the Youth Center, which will meet the highest standards for youth work of the Council of Europe; exchanging experience and building long-term relationships with the project partner organization in the field of youth policy and work.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">The target group is </span><span style="color: #000000">youth</span><span style="color: #000000"> between 15 and 29 years </span><span style="color: #000000">of age</span><span style="color: #000000">; </span><span style="color: #000000">pupils</span><span style="color: #000000"> at risk of dropping out or </span><span style="color: #000000">dropp</span><span style="color: #000000">ed </span><span style="color: #000000">out of the education system; </span><span style="color: #000000">youth</span><span style="color: #000000"> at risk </span><span style="color: #000000">from</span><span style="color: #000000"> ethnic minorities; young people at risk living in small and remote settlements or in economically less developed areas; young people </span><span style="color: #000000">who </span><span style="color: #000000">are</span><span style="color: #000000">&nbsp;NEETs; </span><span style="color: #000000">pupils</span><span style="color: #000000"> and </span><span style="color: #000000">youth</span><span style="color: #000000"> with one parent; </span><span style="color: #000000">pupils</span><span style="color: #000000"> and </span><span style="color: #000000">youth from families with low level of education; young people struggling with various addictions; children, parents, teachers and community representatives.&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="color: #000000">The expected general and specific results are related to improv</span><span style="color: #000000">ing</span><span style="color: #000000"> the social and economic development of the </span><span style="color: #000000">M</span><span style="color: #000000">unicipality of Montana</span><span style="color: #000000"> resulting from </span><span style="color: #000000">to investment and development of the potential of each child; improved and expanded access of young people to a variety of services that meet </span><span style="color: #000000">the </span><span style="color: #000000">modern expectations; fruitful cooperation&nbsp;with the partners from Iceland; attracting people&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000">of different ages.</span></span></span></p>

Bilateral cooperation results

Three working visits were organized and conducted by the partner organization - Vocational and Educational Center Hringya in Montana. The partner participated in a regional forum for exchange of experience and good practices with representatives of both the youth center and educational and social institutions in the territory of Montana. Two visits in Iceland were organized with participation of the management team and youth workers and Roma educational mediators to exchange experience and good practices, visits to three youth centers in Iceland were organized, where the team was informed about facilities of the youth centres, planned activities, different kind of funding, activites for social entrepreneurship, etc. A key result for Youth Center – Montana from the partnership is the shared Icelandic experience in the way of pre-planning the educational program of Hringsja and the cooperation between individual specialists. The use of various methods and techniques for the initial inclusion of young people and subsequent socialization through the programs and opportunities of the Hringsjá vocational and educational centerand the state. The partner expressed interest in cooperation in the field of building soft skills.

Project partners

• Hringsjá vocational and educational center Donor project partner· Iceland