GENDER CONSCIOUS PRACTICE AND YOUTH WORK

Finally, the main output of our project – The Toolkit is out!!!

📥 Toolkit (PDF) → link to download

A practical guide to build safer, more inclusive youth projects.

The Convent Centre, together with You in Europe (Greece) and ESTYES (Estonia), is proud to release the Gender Conscious Practices & Youth Work Toolkit, a project co-financed by the programme KA2 ERASMUS+
Designed for youth workers, educators, and organisations, this toolkit turns principles of inclusion and gender sensitivity into concrete, ready‑to‑use activities.

What’s inside

• Key definitions & myths – clear language around gender, stereotypes, and intersectionality.

• Practical workshop activities – from Genderbread Person to Equity vs Equality, Active Listening, Non‑Violent Communication, mindfulness and more.

• Safe & brave spaces – step‑by‑step guidance to set up welcoming, accountable learning environments.

• Consent education – FRIES model, exercises for “yes/no” practice, and classroom-ready materials.

• Active bystander training (5Ds) – Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct, with scenarios to rehearse.

• Survivor‑centred approach – principles, reporting flow, and referral options.

• Templates – gender policy outline and reporting form structure to adapt to your organisation.

Who it’s for

• Youth organisations & NGOs running trainings, exchanges, ESC/E+ activities

• Teachers, facilitators, social workers, volunteers, project managers

• Anyone committed to equity, safety and dignity in youth work

How to use it

1. Start with definitions to align language in your team.

2. Pick 2–3 activities as an entry point for your next session.

3. Set ground rules with the safe & brave space guidance.

4. Adopt the templates (policy + reporting) and localise support contacts.

5. Iterate based on participant feedback.

Credits

This toolkit is an output of the Erasmus+ project “Gender Conscious Practice & Youth Work” led by You in Europe (GR), Convent Centre (IT) and ESTYES (EE).
Design: Evelīna Zilbere.
Team: Aida Bruni, Giulia Pellegrino, Lorenzo Di Gaeta, Aurora Ragusa, Gaetano Ragusa, Anabela Kopecka, Stavroula Pagona, Gregoris Kyriakou, Anastasia Karavida, Alexis Kampouris, Diana Manesi, Igor Niemyski, Manolis Rodovitis, Katerina Chantzi, Kaisa Ülviste, Marika Tomberg, Pihla‑Leena Jõudvald, Dariga Abdualiyeva.

📥 Toolkit (PDF) → link to download

Questions, piloting, or feedback? genderconciouspractice@gmail.com

START OF THE PROJECT “GENDER CONSCIOUS PRACTICE AND YOUTH WORK”

October 2023 – ongoing

A promising KA2 ERASMUS+ project on promoting gender-conscious practice in youth work just started, bringing together 3 dynamic youth organizations from Europe: You in Europe (applicant) from Greece, Est-YES from Estonia and us, The Convent Centre from Italy.

The need to address the increasing phenomenon of gender-based violence and to deliver a more diverse, inclusive and active participation in non-formal activities, were at the foundations of the idea.
Raising awareness about gender-based violence is critical for empowering women and encouraging their active participation in society. Enhancing youth work regarding gender-sensitive issues is a key motivation, aiming to positively increase the impact of work with young people by promoting inclusivity and diversity.

Project’s Activities

During 18-months, the project’s activities include:

1. mapping the situation in every country and explore effective strategies
2. a series of educational activities
3. the creation of an educational tool kit – based on the conclusions drawn from the mapping and the educational activities.
4. the evaluation of the results and their dissemination
5. planning future activities.

The first project activity, coordinated by EstYes, was successfully completed on 29th of January and 1st of February 2024. It consisted of a two-day online training conducted by Ghizlane Akourim for the youth workers of each partner organization. The training aimed to create a baseline of gender-based violence and learned how to build a non-judgmental, diverse, safe and inclusive communication environment, regardless of gender of the participants in the learning activities. After analyzing important terms like “gender discrimination”, “gender-based violence” and “sexual harassment” and learning how to recognize such behaviors, participants were provided with essential methods and techniques for preventing, and responding to these incidents effectively.
Next phase of the program includes the investigation stage, as well as the preparation for the creation of the educational toolkit.