The YEA Project’s Journey in Youth Engagement
Kanervo, Riikka; Kurki, Johanna; De Santis, Giulia; Ergish, Zachary; Frederix, Pieter (2025)
Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu
2025
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052013589
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052013589
Tiivistelmä
This article offers a reflective look at the YEA project (Youth Empowerment through co creative Activity), a European initiative that brought together young people and professionals in Belgium, Finland, and Italy to co-create inclusive leisure activities. The project focused on empowering youth in vulnerable situations—such as those with migrant backgrounds, disabilities, or diverse gender and sexual identities—by giving them space to express their needs, build trust, and shape their communities.
Through methods like Photovoice and collaborative workshops, the project uncovered both the challenges and opportunities of youth engagement. It highlighted the importance of flexibility, informal encounters, and youth-led communication in building meaningful participation. The article shares insights into how professionals and organizations adapted their approaches, navigated uncertainty, and learned to listen more closely to young voices. It also explores how inclusive spaces—both physical and digital—can foster a stronger sense of belonging and agency among youth.
By documenting the lessons learned and the creative solutions developed along the way, this article contributes to the broader conversation on co-creation, inclusion, and community-based innovation. It is a valuable resource for anyone working to support youth participation in a rapidly changing world.
YEA – Empowerment through co-creative Activity 06/2023-05/2025) was a European Erasmus+ initiative.
Through methods like Photovoice and collaborative workshops, the project uncovered both the challenges and opportunities of youth engagement. It highlighted the importance of flexibility, informal encounters, and youth-led communication in building meaningful participation. The article shares insights into how professionals and organizations adapted their approaches, navigated uncertainty, and learned to listen more closely to young voices. It also explores how inclusive spaces—both physical and digital—can foster a stronger sense of belonging and agency among youth.
By documenting the lessons learned and the creative solutions developed along the way, this article contributes to the broader conversation on co-creation, inclusion, and community-based innovation. It is a valuable resource for anyone working to support youth participation in a rapidly changing world.
YEA – Empowerment through co-creative Activity 06/2023-05/2025) was a European Erasmus+ initiative.