ESC: MOVE - Motivation, Opportunities, Volunteering & Engagement

Associação Social Recreativa Juventude de Vila Fonche/Juventude was founded on December 6, 1976, with its headquarters in Vila Fonche, Arcos de Valdevez, Viana do Castelo, located in northern Portugal. The main objective of the association is, from the beginning, the occupation of leisure time for young people as well as that of the entire community. In this spirit, in the eighties, national and international exchanges between various associations, which occurred mainly in the summer, emerged as a primary activity. Several projects were carried out, inside and outside the country, giving young people the opportunity to get to know other countries and other cultures, which although located in Europe, were still unknown. These types of projects were built so that each young person could not only participate but also take responsibility for the organization of National and International Work Camps, exchanges, summer camps, and sports fields and, in so doing, live and develop your capabilities. In addition to international projects for young people, the association also has, as social responses, a Kindergarten, and a Leisure Activities Center. The Youth Center, located in the village of Arcos de Valdevez, appears to respond to the needs of the community and its young people, occupying their free time and helping them in their personal and social formation. Pousadinha, accommodation center, supports the performance of our activities and is also used by groups or individuals wishing to stay there. The association is committed to the integral development of children and young people, seeking to make them more active citizens in their communities. The association is represented, locally, in various entities/organizations that work on social issues, such as the Commission for the Protection of Children and Youth at Risk, the Local Social Network, the Municipal Council of Education, the Local Council for Social Action and we have a sense of the need to work with young people, children and their families in a more appealing way, raising awareness of the opportunities that are available to everyone and that promote the true inclusion of children and young people with fewer opportunities. Since the end of 2018, the Association has been a Eurodesk Multiplier Center, which will be an asset for future projects.