Sicily up close: Insights into European youth work
A study visit took Swiss youth workers to Sicily, where they met committed municipalities and organisations and gained insights into local social realities and projects. The exchange had an impact that went beyond the experience itself: it deepened partnerships, generated new ideas, and laid the foundation for future international youth projects.
In December 2024, a delegation of Swiss youth workers from the Association for the Promotion of Children and Youth in German-speaking Fribourg (VKJ) visited the Italian region of Sicily as part of a study visit funded by Movetia. The aim of the exchange was to gain an insight into the local characteristics of youth work and social projects on the ground and to establish sustainable partnerships for future mobility projects.
The visit to Sicily was a further development of a project called
“Europe Goes Switzerland“, which has already enabled initial international networking among youth workers. During the stay, the reality of Italian youth work became both visible and tangible, and examples of good practice were discussed. The varied programme included meetings with local authorities, visits to cultural and educational institutions, and intensive discussions with local experts. According to the head of the Swiss delegation, Cosima Oesch, the commitment of the host organisation Education in Progress, which guided the Swiss youth workers through places such as Brolo, Oliveri and Messina and offered insights into social and political realities, was particularly impressive:
Thanks to the dedicated support of our Italian partners and the exchange with key local figures, we were able to gain first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing youth work in Sicily. The exchange experience also deepened our partnership and inspired new project ideas.
The intensive professional exchange thus made it possible to learn about the challenges, approaches and good practices of local youth work and to gain inspiration for our own work. One idea that particularly stood out was a photo competition or poster campaign featuring a wide variety of faces from a village – a creative way for young people to identify with their place of residence and rediscover it. In addition to the experience gained, which will be incorporated into youth work in the Swiss context, the main aim was to lay the foundations for further international projects.
A follow-up project is already in the planning stages: a youth exchange between Swiss and Italian young people is planned for autumn 2025. The young people will travel together by train from Milan to Sicily and take part in educational activities on the topics of migration and climate change at various stops along the way. In addition to increasing knowledge, the focus will be on promoting social and intercultural skills and enabling young people to participate actively in society and politics. This project is also funded by Movetia.
The study visit to Sicily is therefore a successful example of practical, sustainable networking in European youth work and demonstrates how international cooperation can contribute to the quality development of youth work and lay the foundations for long-term cooperation.
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