Erasmus + Programe – Support for Policy Reform
Agreement number: 624659-EPP-1-2020-1-PT-EPPKA3-EU-YTH-TOG
The VOICE action
Making young adult offenders' voices heard
Young offenders often come from disadvantaged areas where poverty and social exclusion are rife (T2A, 2009). Their “needs are complex and multiple, and commonly include poverty (many have not yet experienced work), educational failure, substance misuse, mental health problems, homelessness, young parenthood and leaving care” (Ibid., p.15).
The VOICE action is a cross-sectorial cooperation project addressing issues concerning young people deprived of their liberty and from disadvantaged backgrounds. The action aims to support the implementation of the new EU Youth Strategy (2019-27) and proposes the development of a set of tools, a bottom-up approach and a peer-led methodology to foster the empowerment and engagement of young people in custody in EU policies. The VOICE action will also arrange Youth Dialogue meetings (with key stakeholders and policy makers) and youth mobilities gathering young people from Portugal, Lithuania, Spain, Romania, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Italy. Policy recommendations will also be drafted entailing provisions on how to unlock the voice of young adult offenders’ and promote their participation in what concerns EU policy activities relevant to the youth field.