Building trust and safety for young people in vulnerable positions
How can trust, safety and inclusion for young people in vulnerable positions be strengthened in ways that work in practice?
Drawing on experiences from Swedish and Finnish ESF+ initiatives, the webinar highlights practical approaches that have been tested in different contexts. The focus is on lessons learned, challenges encountered and insights that may be relevant for policy development, programme implementation and cross-sector collaboration, as well as Nordic knowledge exchange.
Featured projects from Sweden and Finland
The webinar will include contributions from ESF+ projects that address trust, safety and inclusion from different perspectives:
- A Uppsala Model for a Multi-Activity Community Centre in Gottsunda, Sweden – strengthening inclusion through outreach work, structured leisure activities and early guidance for education and working life. The project combines community-based activities, coaching and local partnerships to increase participation among children and young people in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
- Qualified Support Persons, Södertälje Municipality, Sweden – supporting children living in economic vulnerability through mentoring, outreach work, family support and access to education, culture and meaningful leisure activities. The project uses relationship-based methods and close collaboration with families and local networks to strengthen young people’s wellbeing, school participation and future opportunities.
- Supporters of Nonviolence (Väkivallattomuuden tukijat), Finland – preventing violence among young people by strengthening emotional skills, conflict resolution and supportive peer networks. The project provides group-based and individual support to help create safer environments and reduce the risk of violent behaviour.
- Inclusive Physical Activity Counselling for Families (Valttiplus), Finland – promoting wellbeing and inclusion through low-threshold physical activity counselling for families. The project supports children’s everyday activity levels, strengthens parents’ ability to encourage healthy lifestyles and works to reduce barriers to participation.
Target audience
The webinar is aimed at representatives of municipal, regional and national authorities working in the fields of education and youth services. It is also relevant for other stakeholders interested in strengthening trust, safety and inclusion for young people in vulnerable situations.
Participating projects:
The webinar will include contributions from ongoing ESF+ projects in Sweden and Finland, including:
- A Uppsala model for a multi-activity community center in Gottsunda, Sweden
- Qualified Persons, Sweden
- Supporters of Nonviolence (Väkivallattomuuden tukijat), Finland
- Inclusive physical activity counseling for families (Valttiplus), Finland
A detailed programme and registration link will follow.
All times are given in Swedish local time (UTC+1 / CET).
The webinar is organised by The Swedish ESF Council and Coordinating the Participation and Inclusion of Children, Young People and Families (ESF+), Finland.