ReCoCreaYOUTH is an international Erasmus+ project that develops new ways to strengthen young people’s participation, co-creation and active citizenship. The project’s aim is to find practical methods through which young people can influence their living environment and participate in the planning and development of matters that concern them.
Young people involved in building a better future
The City of Vaasa’s Youth Services participates in the project together with international partners. The project’s partner organisations are from Sweden and Estonia. From Finland, in addition to the City of Vaasa’s Youth Services, Åbo Akademi University and the youth work of the municipality of Uudenkaarleby are also involved.
During the project several pilots have been carried out in which young people have been able to develop their own ideas and influence local issues. The experiments have included, among others, participatory budgeting in youth centres, ideation processes that sought solutions from young people’s perspective to reduce vandalism, and ideas for a new park.
The project makes particular use of non-formal learning methods. Learning happens by participating, experimenting, discussing and doing together. At the same time young people strengthen their skills in influencing, collaboration and problem-solving, and gain experience in turning their ideas into concrete actions.
ReCoCreaYOUTH supports the City of Vaasa’s objective to strengthen the participation of children and young people and to ensure that young people’s voices are better heard in everyday services and decision-making. The project’s experiences and results will also be used after the project ends as part of the Youth Services’ normal operations.
Funding: Erasmus+
Theme: Youth participation, co-creation and active citizenship
Implementation period: 2024–2026