The problem of violence and various types of abuse of power is more and more visible and present in the European society, in particular in the context of the citizens most exposed to it and often least protected from it: young people. Since the scale of the problem seems to be growing nowadays in the era of migration and economic stagnation, we decided to compare and analyse it in depth, developing a joint action plan that will take into account various European countries’ experiences on the subject. For this reason, our Strategic Partnership was created by the Estonian nongovernmental organisation working with youth and iyouth workers Seiklejate Vennaskond, a Portuguese initiative for innovation and integration in education Associação Nacional Educativa de Inclusão e Inovação us Escolas (AENIE), a Romanian organisation that unites, trains and continuously evaluates social workers Centrul de Formare şi Evaluare în Asistenţă Socială (CFCECAS) and Spanish non-governmental organisation for sustainable social and personal development Permacultura Cantabria: all this under the leadership of our Stowarzyszenie Aktywne Kobiety specialised in working with women and girls.The main objectives of our cooperation are therefore to share best practices in order to counteraddress the abuse of power experienced by young people which means the exchange of tools and knowledge relevant in this field. Socially, this should also serve as a form of raising of awareness about the situation experienced by young victims of various types of abuse and as a strategy of strengthening and broadening the partnership at the regional, national and European level between entities that are interested in the subject matter and involved in work with young people.In order to achieve the intended results within the Partnership, we will officially start our cooperation during the first transnational meeting in Spain. The first learning visit will take place in Romania where CFCECAS will share its tool for early diagnosis of violence and its best practices. In addition, we will also visit a variety of institutions operating to analyse the problem of abuse of power and violence among young people. Then, during the visit in Poland, Stowarzyszenie Aktywne Kobiety will share its best practices aimed at counteracting the abuse of power towards young women, we will visit local entities involved in the fight against violence and we will participate in the training in Non-Violent Communication. Next visit to Portugal will bring a presentation on cyberbullying among young people on behalf of AENIE organisation, as well as their best practices at work for young people. In addition, the organisation will share its experience in working on the dissemination tool, an innovative television channel awarded in 2017 by the Portuguese National Agency. The eight days long course in Spain carried out by the Permacultura Cantabria will allow us to explore the subject of various forms of abuse among socially vulnerable groups such as women, people with disabilities or minorities and both, partner organisations’ staff and youth workers and young people themselves will be trained in the emotional management necessary to adequately deal with violence and its effects and work with young victims. At the end of the course an additional meeting will be held regarding the partial evaluation of the project and its dissemination campaign and the final evaluation transnational meeting will take place in Estonia with Seiklejate Vennaskond as the hosting organisation.Youth workers participating in the project will acquire new methods of intervention in situations of abuse of power and violence against young people, gain knowledge about the state of this situation in other European countries and strengthen their interpersonal, cultural and language competences.Young people involved in the project will learn about the realities of their peers from other countries and will be equipped with the strategies to ensure a better response and resilience to abuse and repression and different ways to prevent it. Activities held abroad will also help them to appreciate the value of teamwork and intercultural context, a factor that is particularly important nowadays because of the growing wave of racist attitudes all around Europe.Organisations and institutions that participate directly or indirectly in the project will strengthen their international networks, increase the scope of social competences and expertise and gain insight in new methods of work, strengthening their position as leaders in the field of youth activities at a regional and national level.Within the societies of Poland, Spain, Portugal, Estonia and Romania, and in the European Union community in general, we strongly expect to increase the civic awareness on abuse of power and violence among young people, both through dissemination campaigns and by the direct activity of each institution involved in the project.

According to the European Commission´s 2018 Report on ¨Equality between women and men in the European Union¨, although more than 9 in 10 Europeans think that promoting gender equality and nonviolence is important to ensure a fair and democratic society, its promotion, protection and, last but not least, implementation still requires a constant change of mind-sets, lifelong education and solidarity. Given the unstable social, political and economic situation not only in Italy but also in the other partner countries and the rest of Europe, we decided to form a Strategic Partnership as we believe that it is of utmost importance to address abuse and gender inequalities. The Partnership will be formed by the following countries and entities: -Italy: Petit Pas, association of social promotion,-Netherlands: Stichting voor Aktieve Geweldloosheid´s (Foundation for Active Nonviolence) Towards a Nonviolent World Department,-Poland: Fundacja Zielony Słoń (GEF), Foundation working with fewer opportunities communities,-United Kingdom: Creativity Works Preston, entity providing an alternative learning and employment centre,-Spain: Permacultura Cantabria, non governmental organisation working on social development.As for the learning activities planned for the WOMAN: Working On Mastering Adult Nonviolence project and their main objectives, through three study visits, in Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom, and a course in Spain we will better understand the reality of adult gender abuse victims which will further allow us to raise awareness of this problem among our adult service users.By visiting participating organisations´ local communities and other institutions they cooperate with we will be able to directly get to know their best practices in fight for a more just, discrimination and violence free society and round tables will let us benchmark our methods of working with adult learners against newly experienced ideas and initiatives.We will exchange specific tools to contribute to a nonviolent and more equal society for the benefit of our adult service users such as SVAG´s methods to work on identifying and breaking the cycle of oppression, GEF´s manual to address the issue of cyber abuse and discrimination, CWP´s method of identification of micromachist behaviours, Permacultura´s emotional management tools and Petit Pas´ experience on working on empowering women and gender and power abuse in the labour market.The newly gained skills and insights will be further passed on to other adults and adults trainers during internal workshops organised by the course attendees and subsequently used in defining and implementing future European projects.On the other hand, gender is not the only factor in women's lives as there are many more aggravating issues that undermine their well-being and social inclusion which is why education and training that explore diversity issues such as ethnicity or disabilities, in addition to gender, are also needed. Moreover, in many cases gender violence victims are economically dependent on their offenders which is why shame and emotional dependence add on to the problem. For this reason, the course in Spain will be focused on measures addressing adult nonviolence through emotional management tools and we will also visit institutions that work with women with disabilities or from cultural minorities, get to know their best practices and deepen our expertise on working with collectives, especially women, with fewer opportunities.As for the project’s impact:Adult trainers directly participating in the Project will broaden their capacities and gain new abilities for their daily work which in turn will create a direct effect on the gender abuse vulnerable collectives they work with advancing the benefits of the educational activities provided by their entities. Adult learners who participate in the course in Spain will acquire best practices relevant when facing abuse and discrimination in different contexts becoming more active as European citizens. Also, the multicultural environment and direct diversity experience will raise both groups’ consciousness level and improve their linguistic, task-management and communication skills.Our Strategic Partnership members will deepen the expertise regarding gender discrimination and violence improving the scope of their activities and their staff’s qualifications. They will also broaden their international networks and connections for the future initiatives.Last but not least, directly and indirectly through a wide dissemination campaign and adult trainers’ work more gender related violence and discrimination victims are expected to be reached and empowered. Also, European citizens in general will be better informed and equipped to provoke a social shift so that women are no longer underprivileged and gender-based violence and harassment is less widespread across our societies.

<< Background >>COVID-19 has caused devastating effects and schools are not an exception.According to the OECD, “school closures have had significant implications for the mental health of adolescents, as schools are not just places where students develop and progress their academic skills. While many adolescents have been able to keep online connections with peers, the loss of in-person interaction could have long-term negative consequences for mental health”.According to UNICEF, in Bulgaria 50% of students reported experiencing negative feelings, such as loneliness, insecurity, irritability, and anxiety due to reduced social contacts. Mental health in >35% of students and 44% of teachers is worse than before. The Study “Effects of Covid-19 confinement on the mental health of children and adolescents in Spain” by the University of Burgos, demonstrates that children in Spain, between 8 and 12 years old show anxiety, depression, rage control and problems with emotional regulation, rebellious behaviour and worse integration, besides social competence. Students between 13 and 18 years show higher levels of anxiety, depression, problems with emotional regulation and somatic complaints, as well as lower self-esteem and integration and social competence levels than children.According to the Study “Growing up in lockdown: Europe’s children in the age of COVID-19” by Eurochild, students from Romania who were not allowed to leave the institutions, not even for their daily routine outside (going to school, going out and meeting friends, going for walks etc.) had a negative impact on them and their reaction was often frustration which translated in higher predisposition for aggressive or self-harming behaviour.OECD declares “Across OECD countries, students indicating mental distress are 35% more likely to have repeated a grade and remain at elevated risk of early school leaving”. Mental distress facilitates access to young students to alcohol, drugs, compulsive use of digital devices, etc. On the other hand, our partnership, carried out online focus groups to determine the impact of COVID-19 caused in mental health, to teachers and students within their entities. We targeted students from primary and secondary who were older than 11 years old, as they are more vulnerable, due to their easy access to addictions and other negative behaviours. During these sessions students and teachers expressed they feel anxious, depressed, angry, lonely, etc., due to the uncertainty of their academic/professional future, the fast change from face-to-face to digital learning, the fear of losing relatives and friends, etc. Teachers expressed they feel powerless for not being able to help themselves and their students with their mental health challenges. Students are having bad performance at schools with difficulties in concentrating, think rationally and making decisions. Some students pass most of their ludic time with digital devices (videogames, mobile phones), losing interest in interacting with the outside world and participating in healthy activities. Although Khan Krum, Matei Basarab and Permacultura Cantabria provide psychological support, we do not have all teachers trained to identify our students’emotions and work on their mental health. These and other relevant needs were identified.<< Objectives >>OECD states “It is crucial that policies are put in place to ensure students are supported through to the end of their education including by resuming school-based mental health services and providing mental health training to teachers”.Khan Krum, Matei Basarab and Permacultura Cantabria need to open a door for teachers and students to heal from the COVID-19 effects.For this, the 3 entities want to carry out the project HEAL: Healthy Emotions And Lifestyles after the effects caused by the coronavirus.During the project, the participating organisations will develop an innovative emotional management framework. It will be included in a book with audiobook versions in English, Bulgarian, Spanish and Romanian. Also, the framework will become part of our key areas. With this, we will support teachers, school leaders, students, etc. with high quality learning opportunities.The main objectives of the project are:Objective 1: To deliver teachers and students innovative tools that contribute to their mental health, well-being and healthy lifestyles.Objective 2: To engage teachers and students in the healing process, as a community.Objective 3: To empower school communities in mental health and well-being.<< Implementation >>KHAN KRUM, Matei Basarab and Permacultura Cantabria have brought this Partnership to life to bridge the gap between our participants´ needs and their reality. We decided that the best way to reach our objectives is to carry out the following:2 Participatory Visits.Each visit will last 3 days. Their purpose will be to transfer tools and knowledge of each hosting organisations onto the rest of the partners. Firstly, we will meet in Romania to acquire tools and knowledge in self and social awareness used by Matei Basarab, and then in Bulgaria, where KHAN KRUM will share their tools and knowledge in community building & healthy environment integration.The knowledge transferred during those Visits will serve as a base for creating a new HEAL Framework, which later will be processed by the Partnership and described in the interactive book. For the maximum book inclusiveness, it will be also presented as an audiobook. Course in Spain.Permacultura Cantabria will prepare and host an 8 day long training, with the purpose of transferring the new Framework onto participating teachers and testing it (with help from the associated partners). Consequently, along with the interactive book, the Course will become a valid point of supply of innovative materials on mental health and well being of the members of education community.As we follow the eco-guidelines of the UE regarding diminishing the carbon footprint of the organisations and support the Digital Transition, the preparatives for the above-mentioned activities will be conducted entirely online.The interactive book, containing the innovative HEAL Framework and the outcomes of the project will be disseminated, with the purpose of reaching our target audience, through the Multiplier Events (1 day long conference in each country, promoting the book and the project outcomes), Consultation Period (2 month long period of time for consulting the peculiarities of implementing the HEAL Framework in each interested entity, supported by the Course participants) and Internal Workshops (events led by the Course participants for further transferring the HEAL Framework onto their colleagues and other members of the education communities interested in acquiring innovative tools and practices for mental health care and well-being).<< Results >>With this project, we expect to achieve the following impact on members of the education communities:Teachers and students familiarized with HEAL framework will present the following leaning outcomes:Define Emotional Management, healthy lifestyles and well-being and be aware of its benefits.Learn EQ, EI & Emotional ambivalence.Understand the difference between feelings and emotions.Learn healthy lifestyles and engagement tools.Acquisition of emotional management tools.Define and practice self-management, self-awareness, social-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation and empathy.Acquisition of capacities to manage stress, anxiety and other feelings during and after the pandemic, etc.Teachers familiarized with the HEAL Framework will be able to pinpoint emotions (felt by themselves and by their pupils) faster and act accordingly. They will reinforce their ability of creating beneficial learning environments by keeping track of the scale and depth of emotional responses, both their own and those of other people. Teachers will become better leaders with higher emotional IQ, demonstrating focus on self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision-making skills to inspire and capacitate others. They will gain the ability of transforming challenging situations into the opportunities for supporting integration.Students, especially from vulnerable groups and with learning difficulties will acquire the ability confront their mental challenges; set and achieve goals; and to develop interpersonal skills that are vital for school and life success.We will create an HEAL community, so its members can apply the framework on their daily lives. The community will:Establish a mental health-friendly environment that builds resilience.Ensure and provide a safe place to work and foster good mental health.Be developed close to the community. Its members will work together and will build strong supportive relationships.Build mental health working capacity available for future generations.Geographical zones within which the Partnership operates will present more safe spaces for mental health, robust lifestyle and well-being work, attended by more resilient and stigma-free groups of people, striving to counteract the adverse effects of the pandemic. We will also become a region of school and other communities that build bridges to work together.

<< Background >>*Note: This project was submitted in the 2020 October call, staying in the reserve list and not being granted. This new version has been modified according to the recommendations of the evaluator.Young people, especially females, are especially vulnerable to different ways of power abusive practices due to their economical, emotional, intellectual and social dependency. This phenomenon is often difficult to detect and counteract due to low reporting rate and its lack of visibility.The power abuse situation of each partner´s country is truly alarming and requires an immediate action, especially, in detention and preventive measures, since adequate specialized services are profoundly underdeveloped and there are no specific measures towards achieving gender equality.Whether it is physical, emotional, financial, laboral, discriminatory, sexual, psychological, domestic or any other type of personal or interpersonal violence, it needs to be counteracted, with all the strength that can be gathered.NGO Explorator as applicant organisation, together with the Italian youth Association ORIEL, and the Spanish NGO Permacultura Cantabria, will exchange knowledge, tools, best practices and methods to counteract abuse of power towards youth, with a special focus on gender violence towards young women and minority groups (Roma, disabled, juvenile former prisoners, LGTBQI groups, etc).Thanks to this project (YEAP: Yes to Youth Education against Abuse of Power) we will also boost the general awareness regarding the power abuse situations experienced by youth.<< Objectives >>The project “YEAP: Yes to Youth Education against Abuse of Power” objectives are to:-Exchange knowledge, best practices and methodologies, to counteract gender violence and power abuse, among youth.-Increase the awareness level regarding the abuse of power, experienced by youth, especially young women and those from minority groups.-Strengthen alliances, at regional, national and European levels, with entities that fight to counteract gender violence and power abuse.<< Implementation >>During this project, we want to build an international network, which will allow us to work, closely, and learn from each other. To facilitate the coordination of our actions, we will place youth workers, in a new environment, and will gather new best practices, tools and competences, which will be used for elaborating new solutions, to violence against young women.To achieve these objectives, we will carry out different activities:3 meetings to work together: a kick-off meeting in Spain, an online intermediate meeting, and a final meeting in Romania. Project and Dissemination Coordinators will attend them.We will also organize 2 participatory visits: the 1st one in Italy, where Oriel will transfer its knowledge and best practices for gender violence prevention and Non-Violent Communication, and the 2nd one in Romania, where Explorator will share its best practices for the prevention of power abuse and will transfer its Theatre of the Oppressed method, for raising awareness about violence. Coordinators plus one youth worker from each entity will attend. Participatory visits are planned for the best practice exchange, project network building and facilities visiting. Finally, the obtained knowledge and methods mentioned will be combined with the best practices in Emotional Management tools, used by P. Cantabria, during a Course in Spain where all the methodology will be transferred to other young people and youth workers. Participants will be the 2 coordinators, 1 youth worker and 3 young people from our entities.All participants will be actively involved in the activities and the dissemination of the project results.We planned a specific phase of application of the new tools and knowledge where the youth worker course participants, with the support of the experts and trainers of our organizations, will act as multiplier agents, carrying out Internal Workshops, to put into practice and transfer the acquired knowledge and tools, to other youth and youth workers, from our communities and organisations.There will be an open round table invitation, issued so all the organisations interested in the subject could participate, even if they are not involved in the Partnership. That way, we will gain additional project coverage, using those entities as multipliers. Round tables are planned for each of the learning activities.<< Results >>At the end of our project we aim to achieve the following results:*To gain knowledge and skills to decrease the cyberbullying and to respect non-binary gender individuals as well as learn “Non-Violent Communication” from the best practices and tools through the participatory visit in Italy, at ORIEL partner*To transfer the Explorator’ s knowledge and best practices for the early diagnosis and prevention of everyday sexism, violence and abuse situations, within minority groups. Also, to get deep knowledge on the “Shadow Theatre” and “Theatre of the Oppressed” tools, as well as their tools for raising awareness, during the participatory visit in Romania*Learn Emotional Management and Conflict Resolution tools, for youth education against power abuse during the training course in Spain at PC*To transfer the knowledge, best practices and tools acquired locally through internal workshops.*Develop new projects and initiatives defined by all the participants, during the Course in Spain, and Internal Workshops. Therefore, through this project we hope to be a space for coming up with new initiatives for counteracting abuse towards youth, foster social inclusion and gender rights equality.We will spread the project results through a potent dissemination strategy, carefully designed to reach local communities, but also the European society, as a whole, to accomplish the desired and expected systemic impact.We strongly believe that upon completion of the project, many young people, especially the most vulnerable ones, will have experienced and will be empowered, engaging in non-violent, gender-equitable and emotionally healthier relationships and environments.They will take action to protect their human rights and will be equipped with skills to effectively communicate their needs and with tools to manage any painful experience they may have suffered.We will improve our services, attending our organization’s users even better, with enhanced skills, and reaching more youngsters. Opening a safe space, for the free expression, will be a useful resource of support for victims of abuse of power.Youth workers and the organisations involved in the project will improve their skills and will be trained to introduce new working methodologies for social inclusion, gender violence prevention, peaceful and effective communication, bullying avoidance, etc., between young women and other particularly vulnerable youth groups with minority backgrounds.We will involve in the project other entities working on similar social issues to strengthen our local, regional and international alliances network, with whom to continue working on Youth Education against Abuse of Power.