Youth For Love Italia 2024-2025 | Morethanprojects ActionAid

Partner

Tierra Techo Trabajo, La Fabbrica Srl Società Benefit

Donor

Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai, Fondi Otto per Mille

Stakeholders

Institutions, Local Associations

Objective of the project

Our goal is to contribute to the prevention and reduction of peer and gender-based violence among adolescents by developing an educational program that involves the entire educational community

Abstract of the project

The project aims to develop, implement, and evaluate an integrated educational program in secondary schools in Lombardia, Lazio, Calabria, and Sicilia. The goal is to identify, prevent, and reduce peer violence among adolescents and raise awareness among teachers, students, parents, and local institutions about the causes and consequences of peer and gender-based violence. The project will also outline the necessary procedures within schools to prevent and address these issues.

Context analysis

In Italy, 22.3% of students have experienced bullying and 8.4% have experienced cyberbullying. Among these, 7% were bullied due to their ethnic background, 6.4% due to homophobia, and 5.4% due to a disability. Violence is a part of daily life for adolescents, both inside and outside of school. A survey conducted by ActionAid revealed that many young people do not perceive their school as safe, particularly in areas like corridors, courtyards, bathrooms, and classrooms. Girls more frequently reported being mocked for their physical appearance. Additionally, in all the surveyed schools, female students reported being daily victims of catcalling or harassment.

Milano, Metropolitan City of Milan, Italy

Roma, Italy

Siracusa, Italy

Agrigento, AG, Italy

Reggio Calabria, Italy

Palermo, PA, Italy

Metropolitan area of Milan, Rome, Reggio Calabria, Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa, and 2 new areas in Italy.

Implementation Period

01/02/2024 - 31/07/2025

Beneficiaries

Direct

440 middle and high school students, aged 13-18, from secondary schools.
800 students and 60 teachers involved through the online learning community.
200 teachers and education professionals: teachers, principals, school counselors, school psychologists (100 in-person and at least 100 online).
50 parents/guardians involved in training on preventing and combating peer violence.

Indirect

200,000 young people reached through communication and dissemination activities.
50,000 general public reached through communication and dissemination activities.

Project Strategy

Activities

Focus groups with students and teachers to analyze perceptions of peer and gender-based violence.
Training program for school staff to acquire skills and tools to prevent and manage peer and gender-based violence in their schools.
Support program for adolescents to gain better knowledge of available services, spaces, and actions to manage and prevent violence.
Peer-education program where students implement peer-led activities and workshops.
Co-design program for high school students to create and promote actions to combat peer and gender-based violence within their community and school.
Participatory drafting of specific school procedures for preventing and managing peer and gender-based violence.
Local Campaign and Advocacy.
Needs analysis and national survey to assess the incidence of the phenomenon nationally and gather perceptions and needs of young people.
National training for teachers, school staff, and educators.
Online learning community (Agente 0011) allowing access to training and workshop modules for students and teachers not directly involved in the activities.
National Youth Summer School for 4 days.

Outputs

One national research study assessing the incidence of the phenomenon and gathering perceptions and needs of young people.
Participatory drafting of specific school procedures for preventing and managing peer and gender-based violence.

Outcomes

440 students and 100 teachers from intervention areas gain knowledge and develop competencies and soft skills regarding peer violence.
120 institutions, key stakeholders, student representatives, and teacher representatives are sensitized nationally on the issue and effective methodologies and approaches to address, manage, and prevent it.
A qualitative survey published, capturing the national incidence of the phenomenon and the perceptions and needs of young people (14-19).
800 students and 60 teachers participate in the online community.

Links

/ View website