Good practices in youth organisations

Abstract

Identifying and promoting good practice is a common feature of organisational and performance management. The aim is to help organisations to not only manage their staff, resources and operations more effectively but also to help engender quality, continuous improvement and innovation in the services and supports they provide. As part of its remit, Aġenzija Żgħażagħ provides support to voluntary youth organisations with the aim of increasing their potential for empowering young people and enhancing their capacity to offer better services and opportunities for young people in their communities. The 330 voluntary youth organisations registered with Aġenzija Żgħażagħ benefit from supports provided under two main funding schemes. A4U – Assistance for you, aims to support and increase capacity in youth organisations and help them further develop the services that they provide for young people in their communities. Youth organisations are invited to come up with initiatives that help them strengthen and develop their services by improving/refurbishing their premises and/or purchasing additional materials and resources. Be Active: Developing ideas together, aims to provide support to youth organisations in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of projects that aim to provide for the well-being of their respective members as well as for the local community. The purpose of this report is twofold. First, it gives an overview and examples of how voluntary youth organisations have used the support funding they were allocated over the period of 10 years by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. Second, the projects selected are practical examples of good organisational practices. As is evident from the report, these good practices can vary in terms of aim, content and context from addressing issues of safety and maintenance to promoting tolerance, dialogue, active citizenship and health lifestyles. Whatever the good practice, this report demonstrates the voluntary youth sector’s capacity for practicality, creativity and innovation in providing the young people with whom they work with new experiences and opportunities. In providing such organisations with continuous financial support we are helping young people and their communities as well as promoting the spirit of volunteering. [Foreword by Miriam Teuma]