Connections through Comics and Music for the Social Integration of the Disadvantaged Youth (COMUSYC)

Project

Connections through Comics and Music for the Social Integration of the Disadvantaged Youth (COMUSYC)

Overview

A high number of reports and studies reveal how social marginalization continues to represent a widely diffused phenomenon in contemporary Europe, in particular in the Mediterranean and in Eastern Europe. Young individuals who are struggling to find a pathway in their transition from study to work or who are excluded from the labour market due to socioeconomic issues tend to loosen their ties with their communities, becoming uninterested in the economic, social and political reality of the country they live in and losing any trust in the possibility of becoming active members of their society. In this sense, learning through cultural and creative experiences, whether in non-formal or informal learning environments, can have a unique and motivating quality which, in connection with the improving job prospects, may (re)motivate those young people who may be talented but have been disaffected by ‘traditional’ educational experiences.

Objective

The main objective of CoMuSYc is to develop a comprehensive and cross-sectoral strategy that will increase the intercultural and transnational dialogue between young people, using creativity and art as fundamental tools for mediating and building bridges. By fully utilizing peer mentors aged 18-30 as motivators, we will combine these elements to bring ‘back’ into learning and engaging marginalized youth and support their social and economic integration. The CoMuSYc approach will place the key competencies, especially soft skills, of the European Reference Framework for Lifelong Learning (ERF) at its heart, and equip the trainers and tutors that support the young people with adaptable and effective tools.

Results

CoMuSYc seeks to develop Project Results that support the creation of new pathways to initial vocational education and social integration for youth. Created by the project partners, with direct input from the target groups, the main results of the CoMuSYc project are:

1)REACTIVATE, a creative and flexible toolkit for the valorization of informal learning through music therapy and visual arts. The objective of the First COMUSYC Project Result is to fight against the social, political and economic alienation that contributes to the creation of the vicious circle that traps the target group of our project, frustrating their attempts to look for a new job, and study or even socialization opportunities.

2) RECREATE pilot action and guidelines for trainers, coaches and mentors. The CoMuSYc Tool Kit will be integrated with an easy-to-use E-Manual and Adaptable Learning Modules (mainly pedagogical videos and tailored learning documents).