About the RIDE project
RIDE stands for “Resources for Inclusion, Diversity and Equality” – in fact, the aim of this project is to collect fresh and innovative resources and practical tools for youth workers, social workers, training providers and University lecturers. Five partners from United Kingdom, Slovakia, Turkey, Croatia and Italy cooperate on this two-year project, which is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission.
Background
In various strategic documents the EU has expressed the clear mandate to encourage social inclusion, value diversity and promote equality of opportunities for young people (e.g. in the EU Youth Strategy and the Erasmus+ Inclusion and Diversity Strategy).
Also, in many European countries these principles are at the basis of youth work (for example, in the UK’s National Occupational Standards for Youth Work).
Despite of this, there is always the need for further high-quality youth work resources, both theoretical and practical. Educators, trainers and practitioners need to develop and enhance continuously their knowledge, skills and experience in order to meet the challenges that such a drive for inclusion, diversity and equality involves.
Objectives of the project
- Establish a network of partners who share a common vision to understand and develop quality youth work practice with inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity as core principles guiding practice
- Create a community of practice to share understanding, challenges and best practice of inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity
- Develop the RIDE Toolbox. The toolbox is a set of resources that includes:
- Principles and Approaches;
- Good Practice Directory;
- Practice Resources;
- Education and Training Resource.
RIDE Outputs
Needs Analysis Report
In the Needs Analysis Report the RIDE partners looked at the current status of youth work and needs of young people in the five partner countries. They conducted both a literature review and interviews and focus groups with youth workers.
The research showed that there are fundamental differences both in the conceptualization of youth work and in the practice. Likewise, young people face diverse problems in the partner countries: some of them are suffering mostly of socio-economic difficulties, while others struggle more with geographic obstacles and cultural differences.
Results from all Country Reports were collated in the Complete Needs Analysis Report; you can further download below the single Country Reports from United Kingdom, Croatia, Italy, Slovakia and Turkey.
Principles and Approaches Report
Provides you with a theoretical background on principles and approaches in EU legislation, in the partner countries and in youth work practice.
Good Practice Directory
Contains case studies from all partner countries detailing the approaches and processes adopted for an inclusive, diverse and equal youth work practice.
Practice Resource
Contains a variety of practical tools for youth work.
Education and Training Resource
Contains a module content for Higher Education Institutions and a training course for youth work practitioners.