On the occasion of the 2017 AER MYFER Award, ShineBright on the region of Lower Austria that presented its project on Youth Coaches for Lower Austria Communities.

Initially a pilot-project, Youth Coaches has been integrated in the normal course of activities of Lower Austria authorities.

The initiative provides support for the implementation of youth projects for municipalities. Youth coaches, along with a youth local consultant, helps develop and accompany their implementation. Youth Coaches gives guidance, support and encourages young people to take an active part in the project to tailor the concept to the specific needs of the community.

In that sense, youth coaches aims at equipping adolescents with new competences and include young people in designing the community. It promotes youth culture in the communities to strengthen young’s people quality of life and creates new opportunities for them to express themselves.

The initiative demonstrates a real will to actively engage young people in shaping their communities. Moreover, it has a high potential for dissemination in other regions in Austria as well as in whole Europe.

For more information visit the Youth Coaches website.

Photo credits: Jace Grandinetti @Unsplash https://unsplash.com/@jacegrandinetti