International Youth Day 2021 – Best Practices From EFDN Members
International Youth Day arrives each year on 12 August with an invigorated spirit. And for the second time within a year and a half, it has arrived in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The presence of the youth being emissaries of social development and positive global change has never been more evident – youngsters are the key to unlocking a path towards recovery and normalcy.
On this special occasion, EFDN has shortlisted some of the work done by or for the youth in recent times and wishes to highlight the role member clubs, leagues and FAs play to support them in the path of their individual development.
Here are few Best Practices (programmes, projects, guides etc.), dedicated to World Youth Day 2021:
STEP4YOUTH – BARCA FOUNDATION
The Sport towards Employment Possibilities for Youth Migrants and Refugees (STEP4Youth) is a one-of-a-kind project that aims to promote social development, employability and overall development within a social aspect as a whole, among people at risk of social exclusion such as refugees and migrants. The programme is led by EFDN member Barca Foundation, with the support of Organization Earth, Prospettiva Cooperative, the Danish Refugee Council and EFDN. It is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and directs three major UN Sustainable Development Goals – Quality Education (4), Reduced Inequalities (10) and Sustainable Communities (11).
OFF THE BENCH – SPFL TRUST
Off The Bench is an initiative kicked off by the Scottish Professional Football League Trust specifically for 18-24 year-olds, with the aim of enhancing future outcomes for youngsters within that age gap. More specifically, it is for young people who have previously committed offences, likely at the risk of committing offences or for those who engage in destructive anti-social behaviour. The league has partnered with the various arms of the Scottish government, including the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Police Scotland and the Scottish FA. The content of the programme will revolve around enabling positive behaviour by focusing on key topics such as homophobia, drugs, alcohol, racism, violence, employability, personality development etc.
PEDIATRICS PROJECT – ATHLETIC CLUB FUNDAZOIA
The Athletic Club Bilbao Foundation played a key role earlier in the year by fulfilling a partnership with Osakidetza hospitals – the governing body that heads the public healthcare system in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. The club’s foundation sent diplomas, stickers and other gifts for children who are currently undergoing different treatments, check-ups, vaccinations etc. as an incentive to foster positive attitudes for their individual betterment. The foundation has long been an active member of the community an initiated this project as part of its Pediatrics Project that helps children overcome difficulties.
TOGETHER ON THE FIELD – FC MIDTJYLLAND
FC Midtjylland’s community trust for young people – FCM Samfund’s project Together on the field is an ongoing project that serves in the best interests of youngsters, aiming to motivate and inspire community participation. By implementing social activities, football fitness programs, educational topics, physical activities, soft skill training etc. in cohorts with companies, educational institutions, and partner clubs, the project aims at working with individual persons so that they reach the optimum physical, mental and social levels. It fosters social development and enforces greater involvement in the community in a positive way through active participation with an emphasis on mutual support.
POST-16 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME – BRENTFORD FC
It’s been about one year since the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust began the implementation of the post-16 education programme aimed at students who want to combine their academics with enhancing their football skills alongside experienced coaches. The programme combines studying for A-levels or a BTEC Level 3 sports diploma and taking part in a detailed football training programme in state-f-the-art sports facilities. The talented young footballers also get a chance to compete in thee Community Education Football Alliance League with the EFL. By learning in a professional setting, the youngsters get a chance to interact with first team Brentford players and have the opportunity to be mentored by some of the best in the business. According to Brentford FC CST, ten students so far have signed professional or semi-professional contracts with teams such as Leeds United, Brentford and Bournemouth, among others.
Young people must be full partners
“Young people are on the frontlines of the struggle to build a better future for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the dire need for the kind of transformational change they seek – and young people must be full partners in that effort.”
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
In this day and age, youth development is an area that needs to be focused on. We have witnessed youngsters take part in projects and programmes – few of which they may not thought about before the pandemic – but nonetheless possess the spirit to learn and implement, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
An increasing number of youngsters have come forward to lend their hand in alleviating the stress caused by the global pandemic, by taking part in food bank drives, social development initiatives, sustainability projects, employment frameworks, Sustainable Development Goals etc.
