For 30 years, Concordia Humanitarian Organization has been helping children and young people to regain their confidence and to develop and embark on a new path to independent living.
"Active and responsible youngsters!" is one of the projects through which Concordia wants to ensure the inclusion of 120 young people from socially vulnerable groups in Bucharest and Ploiesti with the help of various tools and activities, know-how transfer from Norwegian partners, and seminars on social justice and the inclusion of vulnerable groups.
"We try to support these young people, who are often not prepared to take life into their own hands and who have not had the opportunity to express their opinions and make their voices heard. Through this project we want to give them the confidence and the tools necessary for them to become aware of their own voice and to become responsible people, able to self-manage their own life and to actively contribute to the development of their community."
In the advisory groups, young people discuss issues related to children's and young people's rights, expectations, opportunities, legislative facilities that they perceive as necessary and citizenship processes.
"My experience in the debating and civic camp was unforgettable. I learned many things: I learned how to approach a pros and cons debate, how to overcome my fear of public speaking, how to be bolder, and how to get more involved in activities. I really liked the coordination of the young people, but also of the educators who were close to us on this trip. I liked that I had the courage to overcome my fear of singing in front of them and I am very happy that I was able to take this step. Through fun, personal and professional development games we got to know each other better. This experience will help me a lot in the future, in my everyday life."
"I enjoyed the activity and the discussions about what a debate and civic participation event means, I learned how to express myself and that will help me in the future. I enjoyed meeting new people and this will help me to interact easily with those around me in the future."
Young people also participate in social and professional counseling and are directly involved in the development of tools for working with vulnerable youngsters, combining elements of social, educational, and youth empowerment interventions.
The Legislative Theater, another innovative method of community intervention, enables young people to find solutions to problems in the field of legislation.
"In the framework of the Legislative Theater and the dialogue with authorities, we participated in many personal development activities, discussed the problems that young people from the special protection system are facing and looked for solutions to solve them. Through games, we got to know each other better and learned how to get more involved. I also overcame my fear of discussing the issues I faced as a child in the protection system. I am grateful to take part in this project, to be active in identifying problems and solutions of those who grew up in the system."
"Being part of this project is a beautiful, exciting experience because you don't know what challenges you will face. The activities I have participated in bring out forgotten individual values, and in group activities you feel listened to, your opinion matters, you gain new and very interesting knowledge and you also make new friends. The important thing is that you stand out and, no matter what status you have, everyone feels equal in the group. In a few words, it helps you to grow as a human being and through useful information it opens new, unknown horizons for you.”
"In the activity on 'Rights and solving problems abroad' I participated in many exercises and games through which I learned how to be informed before deciding to go to another country, about documents, rules, cities, places for work. I also learned that there are several ways to solve each problem. When you decide to go to a foreign country you have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages and be well informed about the country you are going to. I learned how to proceed when I go to an unknown place. I am very happy that I was part of this activity and I want to participate in other similar activities that prepare us for an independent life."
