People, Places, Partnerships: from Youth Initiatives to Community Hubs

Project Code2015-3-IT03-KA205-007030
Type of ActionStrategic Partnerships
Countries InvolvedIT,DE,ES,RO,EL,SK,SE,CZ
Duration24 months 
Budget190.271,25 EUR 
Objectives Develop a sustainability model (PPP Model) for youth initiatives and youth centres so that they serve local community needs and become Community Hubs.-
Develop a training programme for young people with fewer opportunities that would foster their active citizenship, entrepreneurial and employability potential, raise pro-active attitudes and increase specific competences and skills, e.g. self-confidence, leadership, advocacy skills, fluent English, communication and fundraising.
Give a kick to young people’s initiatives through the PPP Model enhanced by the training programme.
Qualify youth workers from partner organisations to deliver the training programme to young people.Advocate for supportive policies for youth initiatives and structures at local level.
Target Group Young People with Fewer Opportunities experiencing socio-economic and geographical disadvantages
Youth leaders 
Local communities in participating countries 
Policy makers 
Youth Workers 
Summary of the Project 
The project “People Places Partnerships: from youth initiatives to Community Hubs” (PPP) aims at setting up, supporting and sustaining youth-led Community Hubs in marginalised communities in eight European countries. Community Hubs respond to residents’ needs in the form of projects or services which are led by young people. Community Hubs use a structure of a youth centre, youth club, community centre or citizen café and offer a model for community exchange, asset sharing and youth entrepreneurship. The services and projects in Community Hubs are aimed at improving the quality of life at local level. 

The long-term goal of the PPP project is to empower young people to become active citizens with a multi-faceted skill set. The project aims at defining new models of youth initiatives with community outreach and social entrepreneurial design. It also intends to reinforce young people’s links to their community while creating human capital which would stay at the local level. Community Hubs are managed by young people and act as service and learning centres for other young people and members in their community. 

1P: People – young people map the needs and assets in the community and develop their initiatives serving community needs. They are supported by a Local Stakeholder Circle. 
2P: Partnerships – young people receive support to their initiatives from the local community which is composed of active residents, NGOs, local businesses and municipality representatives. 
3P: Places – young people transform their ideas into sustainable projects and services and strengthen the role of places used by young people gradually becoming multi-purpose centres (Community Hubs). 

The project includes several international meetings and workshops designed to enrich participant experiences and facilitate knowledge sharing.  The project features an online exchange and blended learning component, enabling young people and youth coaches to connect and share ideas through an online platform. This platform supports peer learning, project material dissemination, and video challenges.In its final stage, the project will establish a Network of Community Hubs to disseminate results and replicate best practices of the PPP Model, focusing on sustainable, community-oriented youth initiatives. The project is conducted by a consortium of nine partners from various regions of Europe, all working with young people facing socio-economic and geographical disadvantages.
Results of the Project 
The project has developed various tools to provide information to policy makers and the NGO practitioners and the results of the project to disseminate the experience. The results provide road-maps for the youth workers and young people to develop Community Hubs to tackle with the issues of the community and promote social cohesion. 
O1. Guidebook of the PPP Model and its training content and methods
O2. Community maps
O3. “Community Visions – my community 5 years from now” & plan for change
O4. Local training programme delivery
O5. Online sharing & learning platform
O6. People, Partnerships & Places: Local evaluation reports
O7. Community Hubs 
O8. Sustainability plan for Community Hubs 
O9. International Network of Community Hubs 
O10. Final report – Documentary Film “People, partnership and places”

The project results can be accessed from here : https://bit.ly/3SPXRZ9
Significance of the Project 
This project serves as an exemplary model for programs focused on well-being, social rights, and inclusion due to its comprehensive and inclusive approach. By actively involving young people in identifying their needs and shaping their communities, it ensures that their voices are heard and valued in decision-making processes. This empowerment fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, directly enhancing their well-being. The project also emphasizes active citizenship, encouraging both youth and community members to engage in addressing local issues and driving positive change through collaborative partnerships. Its commitment to individual growth is reflected in capacity-building efforts that equip participants with new skills and knowledge, further supporting their personal development. Importantly, the project upholds principles of equality and inclusion, ensuring that all participants, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities and are free from discrimination. By integrating these elements into a cohesive framework, the project not only promotes social cohesion but also demonstrates a robust model for advancing social rights and well-being within communities.

 

This educational resource was produced with the financial support of the European Union within Erasmus+ Programme. Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Asociación Socio-Cultural VerdeSur Alcalá and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.