Associação Juvenil de Deão

Regarding its international scope and experience, AJD has more than 10 years of experience in

European youth programmes. The association began sending young people abroad and

organising its own youth exchanges in the mid-2000s, working consistently with young people aged 13 to 30 years old through non- formal education approaches.

EXPERIENCE

Over the years, AJD has built strong experience within the Erasmus+ Programme, acting both as an organising and sending organisation. AJD is accredited under Erasmus+ for the period 2021–2027, within which it has already developed and/or will develop 16 Youth Exchanges in cooperation with several partners across Europe. In addition, AJD has implemented multilateral exchanges involving national and international partners and has regularly participated in training courses, seminars and youth exchanges promoted by partner organisations, sending participants abroad on an annual basis.

AJD is also a partner of the LEMON Network, a European network focused on youth work, non-formal education and international cooperation, which supports the exchange of good practices, partnership building and the development of joint projects at European level. Furthermore, AJD has experience in KA2 projects, having coordinated a KA2 project focused on youth entrepreneurship and participated as a partner in the KA2 project “European Citizenship Academy (ECA)”, promoted by Pistes Solidaires (France).

Members of the AJD team regularly participate in international training courses in order to strengthen their competences in youth work, project management and community development. Volunteering is another key area of experience for AJD. Within the European Solidarity Corps (ESC) programme, AJD has supported the learning paths of more than 30 ESC volunteers, acting both as a host and sending organisation. AJD also holds the European Solidarity Corps Quality Label, recognising the organisation’s capacity to implement high- quality volunteering activities in line with ESC standards and values. Each year, the association hosts national and international volunteers who support activities within the Community School and the Projects Department, while also developing initiatives in cooperation with schools, the municipality and other community organisations. Volunteers are actively involved in the local community and are encouraged to develop personal projects with a positive impact on the territory. In parallel, AJD organises, every year, national volunteering projects, promoted under the IPDJ (Portuguese Institute for Youth and Sport), often focused on environmental protection and sustainability.

AJD also has strong experience in cooperation with educational institutions,

particularly through its partnership with the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo.

Together, they have developed several initiatives, including the project “Rural 3.0:

Service Learning for Rural Development”, implemented in partnership with

organisations from all over Europe, and combining youth participation, service

learning and rural development.

Aligned with its mission, AJD implements projects addressing key thematic priorities

such as rural development, well-being, personal and social skills development, gender

equality and social inclusion. A strong example is the project “SER - Solidariedade,

Empatia, Resiliência”, an impactful initiative focused on promoting young people’s

mental health through non-formal education methodologies, strengthening personal,

social, emotional and community competences. This project was financed by the

Active Citizens Fund (EEA Grants – Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and managed

by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian and Fundação Bissaya Barreto.

In addition, AJD acts as a local youth support reference point, providing young people

- especially from rural areas - with access to information about opportunities at local,

regional, national and European level. The association actively encourages young

people to become involved in AJD’s activities and to participate in and contribute to its

projects.

Finally, AJD is recognised as an active national partner, regularly participating in

meetings, conferences and networks, and developing projects and initiatives in

cooperation with other national organisations and entities.

The Associação Juvenil de Deão (AJD) was formally founded on 19 April 1997. Its mission is to create and develop social, cultural, sports, and artistic activities for children and young people, especially in the areas of leisure, volunteering, cooperation, and training. AJD aims to promote access to information, social inclusion, active citizenship, and gender equality. The association primarily works with children and youth from rural areas of Viana do Castelo. As a registered RNAJ association, AJD benefits from the support of the Programa de Apoio Juvenil (PAJ).

Projects Department

AJD’s Projects Department implements a wide range of initiatives at local, national, and international levels, operationalising the association’s mission and responding to the needs of its community. At national level, AJD collaborates closely with the Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude (IPDJ), particularly in volunteering programmes that annually bring young people to the association. These projects focus on environmental awareness, rural development, youth participation, and community engagement.

At international level, AJD has long experience with the Erasmus+ Programme and the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). The association is accredited as a host, sending, and coordinating organisation for both programmes, welcoming volunteers and participants from across Europe. These opportunities allow young people from rural areas and with fewer opportunities to gain international experience, develop skills, and strengthen their personal and professional growth.

Community School

The Community School is AJD’s main space for local interaction and community

engagement. Ludoteca - Ludoteca stands out as a space for reading, writing, visual and

body expression, and learning through play. It also promotes intercultural understanding

and creativity and hosts educational visits and commemorations. ESC volunteers play a

key role here, supporting monitors and accompanying children in their learning.

Summer Camps - AJD also organises annual Summer Camps for children and

teenagers aged 6 to 16. These camps combine cultural, educational, and sports

activities both indoors and outdoors, providing a safe, stimulating, and inclusive

environment where participants can explore new interests, develop skills, and create

meaningful friendships.

Other Activities

Beyond these core programmes, AJD implements a wide variety of initiatives. These

include intergenerational workshops (crafts, theatre, cavaquinhos, guitar), sports activities

(gymnastics, hiking, mountain biking), and community animation, such as information

sessions, debates, annual trips, celebrations like International Youth Day, and participation in

MANIFestas (Local Development Assemblies, Fairs, and Festivities). AJD also actively participates in national meetings and networks, including ANIMAR, district/national meetings of youth associations, and associative encounters in Northern Portugal and Galicia.

Communication & Dissemination

AJD has developed initiatives in communication and dissemination.

The association manages its website, blog, and social media channels

(Facebook and Instagram), produces newsletters and promotional

materials, and maintains photo and video archives of its activities.

Notably, the newsletter “O Caroça”, named after a traditional local craft,

promotes creativity and written and visual expression among youth and

the wider community.