Promoting social engagement among young people

Project description

Title: Social Participation and Community Engagement by Youth (SPACE)
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Country: Jordan and Lebanon 
Overall term: 2019 to 2023

Context

Most countries in the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) have outdated social order models that are based on the unspoken agreement that the state supplies and secures the population. However, this agreement affords little political, administrative and judicial transparency and allows limited opportunities for political participation.

In this system, young people have very few opportunities for participation. They also have very few spaces in which they can express themselves and which they can shape in line with their own needs.

Young refugees are often discriminated against on several fronts in this context since the few spaces available to them do not offer integrative strategies. There is a lack of spaces where young people with different backgrounds can gather common experiences to overcome prejudices and strengthen social cohesion.

Objective

The ability of young people to shape peaceful spaces in their social environment is strengthened.

Approach

The project helps strengthen social cohesion and integrate endangered groups, especially those who have fled their homes. To this end, it supports participation and dialogue formats and promotes a constructive relationship between the state and social groups. The project also creates spaces for civil society engagement, enabling young women and men to shape society positively.

Overall, participatory and peace-making youth work empowers young people to influence their immediate environment directly and proactively. They are given space to address their needs, building their confidence in their ability to act. The goal is also to get young people more involved in designing and using virtual and physical public spaces.

Last update: December 2021