Protection & Safety of Participants

Protection and safety of young people involved in Youth in Action projects are important principles of the Programme. All young persons participating in the Youth in Action Programme deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential in terms of social, emotional and spiritual development. This can only be assured in a safe environment which respects and protects rights of young persons and safeguards and promotes their welfare. In its simplest form, protection and safety address every young person's right not to be subjected to harm. In that perspective, there is no issue that is not potentially in some way related to young person's safety and protection.

Protection in this context covers all kinds of inappropriate behaviour, including sexual and moral harassment, but also intercultural problems, insurance, accidents, fire, alcohol and substance abuse, neglect, bulling, degrading treatment or punishment, etc.

The fundamental objective is to ensure that all those who work together with young people recognise a duty to safeguard the protection of young people and are able to fulfil this duty. To this end the Guidelines for Good practice were developed in order to enable each promoter participating in the Youth in Action Programme to have in place, effective procedures and arrangements to promote and guaranty the welfare and protection of young people. This will help to enhance the young people's experience as a safe, effective and enjoyable learning experience.

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