JóKer Children and Youth Participation Programme

Children are expected to be discerning, take responsibility for their actions and be self-reliant, but they are given little space to step outside authoritarian frameworks and shape the situations and processes that affect them.

The basic experience of childhood is that the adult is in control, which is necessary to take care of them, but if they are given the right framework to be active in planning and conflict management processes, they can experience that it makes sense to take responsibility, because their voice matters. This is an important building block for becoming an active citizen. This is what the JóKer project provides tools and opportunities for through training and programmes in Budapest, in the 8th district.

 

Who we work with, who we work for

  • The teachers of kindergartens and schools in the 8th district and the professionals who directly support their work (school psychologist, educational assistant, development teacher, special needs teacher, etc.).
  • Non-formal education professionals in the district (schools, cultural centres).
  • Children aged 4-18 in the district.

This is what we do during the programme

  • We provide training to equip professionals and parents in the 8th district who work with children with modern and practical methods to better take into account the age-appropriate needs of children and to help them develop independence, responsibility, agency and conflict management skills.
  • Regular professional support sessions are held for trained professionals, so that they can work through their professional questions and dilemmas in a safe environment, and to strengthen cooperation between professionals working in different fields (nursery, school, child welfare, local government, etc.).
  • We organise child participation roundtables for professionals in the 8th district to consolidate good practice
  • We organise child-centred activities for children (Tali a Téren), where children aged 0-18 can experience: it's good to be together, their voice counts.
  • In the programme, the professional partners will develop a training course that can be integrated into the training of social professionals, equipping students with tools on child participation and which they can use in their professional work.
  • In 10 formal or non-formal education and training institutions for children in the district, micro-projects with a child participation approach are being implemented, which include events for children, parents and teachers, institutional rules and pedagogical methods that promote the active involvement and expression of children's views.

 

Duration of the project

The programme runs from May 2023 to May 2024.

 

Making the world a better place in small ways thanks to the JóKer programme

  • Professionals participating in the programme will be able to better integrate children's perspectives in their everyday work in education and training planning, with 100+ professionals expected to be trained
  • By taking children's needs more into account, it becomes more feasible and enjoyable to educate children from different backgrounds together, the emotional burden on teachers, children and parents is reduced, and professionals and parents can work together more effectively for children's learning/development
  • The elements tested in the microprojects will be integrated into the long-term operation of the institution and will be maintained after the end of the programme.

 

The professional partners involved in the project:

  • District 8 (coordinator),
  • Partners Hungary Foundation,
  • Family, Child, Youth,
  • John Wesley College,
  • Eurochild

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