The Coronavirus pandemic had a particular impact on young people, especially in terms of mental health. In the European Union, citizens between the ages of 16 and 29 are currently at high risk of poverty. 15.9% are unemployed and 4.9% experience moderate to severe symptoms of depression.
These data show how an entire generation has seen its ability to find its place in the world diminished, which in turn has diminished that generation’s trust in institutions. This situation reduces the possibility of these young people becoming socio-politically active citizens.
This is the context in which the YouthWell project was born. It is a response to the impact that deteriorating mental health has on the active participation of young people in society.
The importance of YouthWell
The YouthWell project aims to create a network of resilient, informed and active young people who can lead the way to a better future. By collaborating and advocating for mental health and active citizenship, the project empowers young people to become agents of change in their communities.
This is the overall objective of the project, which runs from January 2024 to November 2025. But YouthWell is developed in several concrete actions:
- The creation of a youth network to bring together young people interested in resilience, inclusion and activism.
- Organization of local and online activities and events through this youth network.
- Training of youth workers and professionals. At both national and EU level, professionals will be trained to cultivate resilient and active citizenship.
- Learning mobility opportunities for target groups.
OBREAL allies with organizations in 6 European countries
To develop the project, co-financed by the European Union, OBREAL will work with several partners from 6 European countries. Thus, the consortium implementing YouthWell is made up of organizations from Cyprus, Ireland, Serbia, Italy, Portugal, Greece and Spain.
Some of the organizations, such as OBREAL, CESIE or WEBIN, are dedicated to international cooperation and dialogue. Others, such as KOKEN, CARDET or RIGHT CHALLENGE, focus on more educational and youth issues. Finally, associations such as THE RURAL HUB and KMOP focus more on the development of training materials and activities.
Through this project, OBREAL addresses its three pillars of action: interregional policy dialogue, knowledge production, and training and capacity building.
