An interactive training for young people has been launched, on the initiative of the youth organisation Generation Change?, with the aim of strengthening active participation in community life. This project, entitled ‘EcoJam – Where creativity connects communities’ is funded by the Voluntary Organisations Projects Scheme (VOPS) of the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).
Through this project, participants have the opportunity to learn new skills, collaborate with their peers, and contribute to a community goal. This will be done by jointly creating musical instruments and resources from recycled materials. Much of the material will be sourced from the community itself, such as antique objects found around the house, which will then be used to create spaces for music and creativity in different communities. In these spaces, children, youth, and residents will then participate to explore music and artistic expression, express creativity, and work together in an inclusive environment.
The project is divided into three phases, that of twelve capacity-building workshops, six implementation workshops, and finally three community activities.
During a visit to one of these workshops in Valletta, the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering Julia Farrugia, explained how “the Government is continuing to demonstrate in a concrete way the priority it gives to the voluntary sector by continuing to strengthen investment in organisations that are making a real difference in our communities. Initiatives such as EcoJam show how, with the support of the Government, young people can be protagonists in the creation of more creative and inclusive communities. This is the model of society that we must continue to build, where volunteering, participation and innovation go hand in hand for the good of all,” concluded the Minister.
CEO of MCVS, Mauro Pace Parascandalo, thanked the youth workers and volunteers of the organization through whom this project is being realized. “It is always a pleasure to see activities, through the Council’s funds, by organizations that strengthen local communities and increase skills, in this case creative ones”.
Christian Mizzi, Youth Worker at Generation Change? explained that the Eco Jam project demonstrates the important role that youth work plays in supporting children and young people to learn, grow and contribute positively to their communities. Through education, he explained, youth workers guide participants on a practical learning journey where creativity, teamwork and sustainability come together in a meaningful way.
Throughout the project, young people are working together on practical issues, developing problem-solving skills and environmental awareness. More importantly, they build their confidence, strengthen communication and teamwork, and experience the value of taking ownership of a project that benefits the wider community.
Photos (MIV)
