Initiative | Rolemodels

Objectives of the initiative

Following the Paris Declaration adopted in March 2015 on the promotion of citizenship and the common values of freedom, tolerance and non-discrimination through education, the European Commission adopted in June 2016 a "Commission Communication" on prevention of radicalization that led to violent extremism which proposed the establishment of a Role Models network.

The aim of this action is to create a set of models to participate on activities to promote social inclusion, prevent exclusion and radicalization, as well as encourage active citizenship and commitment to European values.

Target Audience

Young people and adults at risk of poverty, exclusion and / or violent radicalization, which may include, among others, early school leaving, NEET (those not in education, employment or training), students and pupils of low socioeconomic status or from disadvantaged areas, young people with criminal records, prisoners, among others.

A more precise definition of the target public for which this initiative is intended must be decided by the National Agency (AN) and by its partners, taking into account the local / regional / national context.

Added value for Erasmus+

First and foremost, Erasmus + is a European program that helps to put this initiative into practice and works in the fields of education, training, youth and sport. The implementation of the Role Models initiative through Erasmus + will contribute to achieving of the overall objectives of the program, namely the contribution to achieving the 2020 objectives (promotion of equity, social cohesion and active citizenship). In addition, the Paris Declaration identified the Erasmus + program as one of the tools to achieve its objectives at European level. To ensure synergies between the Role Models initiative and the Erasmus + program, the following situations can be considered:

Involve Erasmus+ participants and experts as role models (eg Erasmus+ participants abroad who play the role of Erasmus+ ambassadors);
Committ active organizations in Erasmus + (schools, youth NGOs, adult organizations, etc.);
Foster and integrate European values, as referred to in art. 4, paragraph (f) of the Erasmus+ Regulation and as a mandatory element for the activities of the initiative;
Integrate the results of the Erasmus+ projects into the initiative (eg outcomes of cooperation projects supporting the implementation of the Paris Declaration or a forthcoming call for social inclusion)
Ensure a transnational dimension (exchange of experiences / best practices / models to be followed).