ESC: Social media, communication and interpersonal skills in inclusive youth work.

a. AIMS Palavras Infinitas - Núcleo de Inclusão, Comunicação e Media (Núcleo de Inclusão) is a Portuguese organisation founded in 2015. Our aim is to defend and promote the rights and interests of those who suffer from exclusion at all levels - social, cultural and economic - focusing especially on people with disabilities. Because of that, since 2016, Núcleo de Inclusão that is registered as a Local Non-Governmental Organisation of Disabled People. The main work of the Núcleo de Inclusão is promote the demarginalisation of people and disrupt the barriers that may lead to social exclusion. To do that, Núcleo de Inclusão empower the socially excluded people, helping to gain a strong voice in the community and supporting active citizenship. b. ACTIVITIES Over the years we have accumulated a large portfolio of activities that have provided us knowledge and skills in several fields. We were responsible for developing national and international projects that promoted inclusion, the breaking down of social barriers and diversity. We also participate actively in forums, conferences and other events, engaging constantly in various partnerships. Also, we produce journalist contents in the field of disability and inclusion. In all cases, we work closely with our local community, developing projects that motivated people to embrace values of acceptance and respect towards others. For example, we developed a project that through cooperative play, dramatized stories in the context of non-formal education, it is intended that children and young people reflect together on the dimensions of "I, the other and the world" and the concepts associated with different aspects of social inclusion and other concepts associated with civic formation of a child in harmony with people and nature. At national level, Palavras Infinitas has a strong presence in the digital world through a digital magazine – Plural&Singular dedicated to the issue of disability and inclusion. This pioneer project aims to bridge the lack of community and social support, providing a source of information with topics considered current and of interest to this thematic area. There are some examples of our activities in the last years: -Digital magazine / released in June and December / Dedicated to the theme of disability and inclusion / since 2012; -Website / daily updated / Dedicated to the theme of disability and inclusion / since 2012 / www.pluralesingular.pt; -International photography competition "Inclusion in diversity" / initiative that counts on the partnership of the Portuguese Center of Photography, in Porto, venue that hosts the award ceremony of each edition, every year, on 3rd December / 4 Editions; -Scientific Information Section "Sexuality & Affection" / compiles general, academic and scientific information on this subject and has available a sexologist and clinical psychologist to answer questions directed by email / more info: http://pluralesingular.pt/index.php/seccaoinformativasexualidadeafectos; -Training in Sexuality & Affection / fundamental themes related to the affectivity and sexuality of the disabled person; -"We Caregivers - Group Sessions for Informal Caregivers" / psychological support for relatives of people with disabilities or seniors / Funded by National Institute for Rehabilitation (I.N.R.); -Training in accessible communication / To Understand What To Keep In Mind To Communicate Affordably / developed already with organisations, schools and other entities; -Intercultural Nights / Informal meetings to encourage cultural exchange and networking -Thematic walks / walks and, at the end, discuss a certain topic previously defined -Clarabóia - Feira de coisas, festival de ideias / second-hand products and crafts fair with thematic conference cycles -Organisation of events / planning and implementing initiatives related to our area of activity: Inclusion. -“Trocar por miúdos – Eu, o outro e o mundo” / sessions using non-formal education methods to deconstruct complex concepts to children and young people. We also have presence in the Erasmus+ Programme, as partner and coordinator (we will reinforce this topic in the question “Does your organisation have previous experience in cross-border activity and cooperation outside Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps? If any, please describe this experience”). c. TARGET GROUPS In the field of the youth, we have as target groups of our intervention youngsters with fewer opportunities, especially with disability. Once that our mission is, through communication and information, promote social inclusion and fight prejudice and consequent discrimination, we consider that working with youngsters is essential to ensure that. So we work in the development and capacitation of the youngsters in general (13-30 years, but with a special focus on young people aged between 17-25 years), transforming them into active agents that can contribute to a society based on diversity and equity.