Don Bosco Youth-Net launches collaborative project to improve voluntary service in Europe

(MissionNewswire) Don Bosco Youth-Net, the European network of Salesian youth organizations based in Belgium, and its partners have launched a two-year project focused on volunteering. The project, known as “The future is Europe: voluntary service and social change,” is being launched with the support of Erasmus+, the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe.

The project’s aim is to help define a vision for voluntary service by setting long-term goals and helping all partner organizations to develop concrete actions. Activities for the project are focused around digitalization, solidarity, employment and sustainability. These activities will raise awareness on issues such as European citizenship, civic engagement and common values.

The goal is to engage youth from various countries to help them develop their soft skills and competencies for future employability. This will help all partner organizations create a model of education to be implemented in the countries involved and beyond.

“All youth deserve a chance at a better life,” said Father Gus Baek, director of Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of the Salesians of Don Bosco. “Salesians help youth overcome barriers to success while teaching them how to take responsibility for their own lives. Part of this education is paying forward the lessons they learn to others. By providing youth an opportunity to volunteer, they can learn additional skills to find and retain employment.”

Through this project, Salesian organizations strengthen voluntary service, reach more youth through quality projects, impact employability through recognition of competencies gained during the experience, and provide digital solutions for networking and learning environments.

At the close of the project, a policy paper will be disseminated at international, national, regional and local levels to inspire other organizations active in the field of volunteering service and international youth mobility.

Working in collaboration with Don Bosco Youth-Net are it’s projects partners including Aktionszentrum Benediktbeuern, based in Germany, Confe Don Bosco, based in Spain, Jeugddienst Don Bosco, based in Belgium, Salesiani per il Sociale APS and Turismo Giovanile e Sociale, based in Rome, Italy, TGS Eurogroup, based in Venice, Italy, Salesian Pastoral Youth Service, based in Malta, and Youth to Connect, based in the Netherlands.

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Sources:

ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)

ANS – Belgium – “The future is Europe: voluntary service and social change”

Salesian Missions