Global youth work

Act Local Think Global

Global Youth Action Project

2008 

Training and support for young people to address global issues in their community 

The Global Youth Action Project is run in partnership with the Development Education Association (DEA) and funded by the Big Lottery Fund. 

Each year we aim to work with 4–6 youth groups from across the East Midlands to develop youth led peer education projects addressing global issues locally…  

Global Youth Action

Through two residential weekends, the Global Youth Action Project provides opportunities for young people to gain training in peer education skills and a greater understanding of global issues in addition to £500 to develop peer education activities about global issues in the local community.

How does the project work?

Each group is required to identify 2 young people and 1 youth worker to attend an initial training residential.  This is scheduled for Friday 4^th–Sunday 6^th April in Derbyshire.  This residential will be attended by young people from other Global Youth Action Groups so it is a great opportunity to meet young people from different communities.

Following this residential, the young people are tasked to undertake a small piece of research in their community and to recruit an additional 6 young people to a second residential.

There are 3 options for the second residential, also to be held in Derbyshire:

During this residential the groups are supported to develop their peer education skills and to design a programme of activity addressing a global issue locally.  A budget of £500 is allocated to each group to initiate their ideas. GED will provide advice and support to the group in seeking additional sources of funding, where necessary.

What are the commitments?

Each group must pay for and arrange their own travel to and from the residentials, as well as staff time.  The £500 can only be accessed after both residentials have been attended by the young people.  The £500 cannot be used to fund travel overseas but must be used to educate at least 20 other young people about their chosen issue.

What sort of projects might young people develop?

We want the projects devised by young people to be an enjoyable learning experience and a chance to take action! Here are some examples of the type of things young people can achieve through this project.

·        Young people producing a magazine on fair (and unfair) trade in the clothing industry, based on their own research and peer interviews about 'trainers'.

·        Young people organising a fashion show with an educational theme, such as HIV / AIDS awareness

·        Young people exploring how gun culture impacts on their lives, and those of their peers, in cities across the world.

Additional opportunities for young people

Young people are encouraged to sign up for  Youth Membership to GED, enabling them to take up opportunities beyond the remit of the project, such as additional training courses, attendance at youth events and volunteering opportunities.

During Youth Work Week, in November, groups will be invited to a special showcasing, celebration and evaluation event.  Young people will also be presented with Certificates of Participation.

Accreditation 

GED is committed to ensuring that young people involved in global youth action projects are provided with the opportunity to gain accreditation for their achievements. Where possible we will fit in with whatever form of accreditation is currently provided by your group.  Where groups do not currently accredit we will endeavour to find a suitable award programme and assessor training course. 

Target groups

As this is a Lottery Funded project there are certain target groups that we aim to work with.  Young people should be aged13–18 and living within the East Midlands.  Priority is given to groups whose young people are considered “hard to reach” under the headings of: BME, Rural, Disability, not accessing services or Socio-economic disadvantaged.

How to apply…

The programme is now closed to new applicants.