Working together to improve inclusion in youth work

In cooperation with the national agencies from Belgium (Flanders), Germany and Estonia, Movetia organised an international continuing education course on inclusive youth work in Bern. Over four days, 23 youth workers from these countries and Switzerland discussed and gained new approaches based on practical examples. 

A plan with step-by-step instructions for inclusion? There is no such thing. Every situation, every person and every organisation works differently. The most important thing? Talking to each other, gathering information and, most crucially, exchanges with those affected. 

Success factor for inclusion
"Organise something with someone and not for someone!" said Nicole Grieve in the first expert discussion of the week. Representatives from the organisations IdéesportInsieme and Blindspot discussed their experiences in inclusion work. Whether making sport accessible for everyone or organising a ski camp for participants with disabilities - it's always about people. It's not always easy. Creative solutions have to be found and hurdles overcome - which sometimes takes a lot of energy. Trial and error is unavoidable when working inclusively. Inclusion means not only integrating people with special needs into activities, but also listening to their voices at the planning stage. This principle applies to all youth activities and is a key success factor for inclusive projects. 

Organize something with someone and not for someone!
Nicole Grieve

Forward together 

Getting as many stakeholders on board as possible and successfully implementing a project: This is the experience that the Ton sur Ton foundation in La Chaux-de-Fonds has shared with Swiss and international youth workers. Ton sur Ton has set itself the task of opening up access to circus, dance and theatre for all young people. When designing an inclusive exchange project and opening up the foundation's regular programmes, an inclusion expert was brought onto the project who is himself affected by a disability and thus brings his own experience to the table. In addition, everyone was pulling in the same direction, from the collaborators to the highest level of the hierarchy. Without this support from the entire organisation, it would have been difficult for Ton sur Ton to work more inclusively in its projects. 

Regional television canalpha accompanied Movetia on its visit to Ton sur Ton 

The programme of this international continuing education course also included practical insights into the open youth work of the City of Bern (toj), the City of Bern's Equality Office for People with Disabilities and the "Heitere Fahne" cultural venue in Wabern. The "Heitere Fahne" has existed since 2013 and describes itself, among other things, as a place for "people with and without disabilities". The Office for Equality for People with Disabilities recently developed the "Berner Freizeit barrierefrei" platform in collaboration with toj and other youth work organisations. It aims to improve participation in leisure activities for children and young people with disabilities. To this end, almost 100 parents of children and young people with disabilities living in the city of Bern were asked about their needs for more accessibility and information. 

I’ts about people!
Participant of the workshop

Learning from each other's experiences

Those who learn together from their experiences reach their goal faster. The 23 youth workers taking part, coming from diverse backgrounds, benefited enormously from the project examples and the mutual exchange and made valuable contacts during this training. 

What is exciting is that no one, from the various organisations to the participants, described themselves as an inclusion expert. And this despite the fact that many organisations are already working inclusively. Simply trying things out, making mistakes and developing further - that is the recipe for success. The director of Ton sur Ton also said: "I'm not an inclusion expert. I've just picked up a few things along the way." But you shouldn't be afraid when working inclusively. Mistakes happen and they should. As one workshop participant aptly summarised: "It's about people!". Nothing more and nothing less.

Further information

Suitable funding opportunities

  • European training activities for Youth Workers

    Training activities in Europe for Swiss youth workers . Funding opportunities for volunteers and professionals.

On the topic