Spazio Giovani Oristano
GENERAL INFORMATION
Location: Oristano, Sardinia, Italy
Email: info@nelsinis.it
Web: https://www.spaziogiovanioristano.it
SUMMARY
The “Spazio Giovani” is a Youth Aggregation Center (C.A.G.) that offers services aimed at facilitating the meeting of young people between the ages of 11 and 30 years, in a recreational and multipurpose environment in which they can cultivate interests, propose initiatives, carry out projects and spend their free time. The Center serves as a place for learning and sharing experiences by supporting young people in their growth and development of skills and competencies.
Thanks to the careful action of monitoring the needs of the city’s youth community, it becomes the privileged place of listening and prevention, in which to spread the values of living in community by encouraging the protagonism and active participation of young people in the public life of the City of Oristano.
OBJECTIVES
- To understand the youngsters’ distress, potential and resources.
- To provide positive opportunities for development through an environment capable of engaging with activities and initiatives responsive to the interests of the youth.
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
The Center pursues a purpose of prevention of hardship and promotion of well-being through educational interventions in the areas of aggregation, socialization, general promotion of culture, environmental protection and sports, information on issues relevant to the community and the area, aimed at different interest groups.
The Center provides organizational activities of documentation and information; to promote creative use of leisure time, cultural growth, socialization, acceptance of ethnic, cultural and religious diversity, promotion of civic sense through the culture of legality and implementation of the principles of solidarity and volunteerism.
IMPLEMENTATION: ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGIES
The activities are proposed from an educational perspective without neglecting the play and recreational aspect; thus, the youth have the opportunity to learn, experiment and form themselves in a context of free aggregation that promotes teamwork. Some of the main activites are:
- Sport and movement: the practice of motor and sports activities is proposed in a playful and recreational way according to an educational, inclusive and aggregation perspective.
- Study assistance: with a dedicated space for studying and carrying out school assignments also through the support of the staff.
- Free aggregation: the spaces of the center are available for the youth to spent independent leisure time.
- Music lab: a space dedicated to music where creativity and art are the key stones that allow young people to express themselves through their favorite musical instrument.
- Skating: the presence of the Skate Park allows more experienced enthusiasts to enjoy the facility independently. For all those who are beginners, the center periodically organize lessons to approach the discipline thanks to the support of experienced and qualified staff.
- Workshops on new technologies: space set up for the creation of objects using a 3D printer, numerically controlled milling machine and laser engraver. Resources needed include financial support for human resources comprising educators/ experts and the costs neccesary for the activities materials. The meetings and services have the function of exploring and deepening not only issues of interest to youth but also being an opportunity for parents, educators, and workers engaged in social work to confront and learn facilitated by the expertise of speakers and experts.
PROJECT OUTCOMES & LESSONS LEARNED
The center offers different activities daily and includes many youngsters who enter in a learning and growth process. Through the specific progrmmes run by the center they have the occasion to learn, have fun, be part of a safe space, try new things, make friends and much more. Here are five lessons learned from its implementation:
- Diverse Programming to Engage Various Interests: The center offers a wide range of activities, from educational workshops to cultural and recreational events. This diversity ensures that young people with different interests and backgrounds can find something that appeals to them.
- Strong Community Involvement and Partnerships: the success of the center is partly due to its strong ties with local institutions, schools, and community organizations. These partnerships enhance the center’s resources and outreach capabilities.
- Focus on Personal and Social Development: Activities not only focus on entertainment but also on the personal and social development of young people. Programs include workshops on life skills, career counseling, and educational support.
- Inclusive and Welcoming Environment: The center aims to be an inclusive space where all young people feel welcome, regardless of their background. This is achieved through conscious efforts to create a non-judgmental, supportive environment.
- Active Participation and Youth Leadership: The center encourages active participation and gives young people a voice in the planning and execution of activities. This empowerment helps to build leadership skills and a sense of ownership among participants.
IMPACT
Throguh its work the center has achieded to:
- 1500 involved youngsters since its creation
- 500 parents involved
- 150 thematic meetings realised
- 150 activities/ workshios organised