Mapping: youth engagement and international solidarity
An overview of organisations working with youth on international solidarity
Today’s youth want to make a difference in promoting greater justice, solidarity, and a sustainable future. BeGlobal therefore wants to map out the activities and experiences of organizations working with youth aged 16 to 35 on international solidarity.
Why mapping youth engagement and international solidarity?
Young people in Belgium are growing up in a rapidly changing world with major social challenges such as polarisation, climate change, increasing social inequality, geopolitical tensions and digital transformation. At the same time, they show a great willingness to get involved and make a difference.
This engagement often arises outside the school walls within what is known as non-formal learning. Think of youth organisations, socio-cultural associations, sports and cultural initiatives, NGOs and local youth initiatives and networks. These actors play a crucial role: they reach young people in an accessible way and are closely connected to their world.
However, there is currently no up-to-date and comprehensive overview of who reaches young people, how this is done and how organisations work on global issues and international solidarity.
BeGlobal wants to change this. This mapping helps to bring together insights from the field and contributes to a better coordinated policy on youth engagement, global citizenship education and international solidarity in Belgium.
What do we want to identify with this mapping?
The mapping is about having an overview of organisations, collectives and initiatives that work within non-formal learning with young people on international solidarity.
With this mapping, we identify:
- who these actors are,
- how they work (explicitly or implicitly) on international solidarity and global citizenship,
- how they raise awareness and mobilise young people around global issues,
- which young people are reached (and which are not),
- what forms of engagement and methodologies are used,
- and what trends, needs and opportunities organisations experience in their work.
Who is included in the mapping?
Everyone who works within non-formal learning with young people aged 16 to 35 on global citizenship and/or international solidarity, in all regions of Belgium, such as:
- Youth organisations
- NGOs and civil society organisations
- Diaspora organisations
- Socio-cultural organisations
- Sports and cultural organisations
- Media
- Private organisations or foundations
- Local, regional and international authorities
How are we going to do this?
Through an online survey or an online (in-depth) interview.
The results and findings will subsequently be available on our website.
Any questions?
Feel free to contact us at mapping@enabel.be
Pilot Project on GCE in Vocational Education
Rochefort-Jemelle Youth Explore Food Sovereignty
Introduction
To build a fair and equitable future for all, critical thinking and global awareness must be taught to today’s youth. BeGlobal seeks to equip young people with the tools and knowledge they need to become conscious and engaged citizens, capable and enthusiastic to actively participate in their communities. Strengthening Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in teaching is one of the relevant initiatives within this mission. As noted in the study conducted by our partners at UCLL, students in vocational education are often a neglected audience in GCE projects.
In cooperation with Entraide & Fraternité (E&F), an international solidarity NGO, and the Athénée Royal Rochefort-Jemelle, a school in the province of Namur, BeGlobal facilitated a pilot project to strengthen GCE skills among young people in vocational education.
Project objectives
With two objectives in mind, the pilot project sought to:
- Adapt teaching materials to spark the interest of vocational education students, and;
- Encourage young people in vocational education to become responsible citizens.
Three indicators of success were established by E&F to assess progress toward the second objective. These were:
- Students became more curious as a result of the project;
- Students are considering futures other than those they had in mind before the project began;
- Students feel their self-confidence has grown.
The theme that was used to explore GCE with the Rochefort-Jemelle students is the concept of ecological and just transition. More specifically, this theme was explored through the lens of food sovereignty.
The “See – Judge – Act” method, which “is the DNA of all projects carried out by E&F,” was used to guide each training session for students throughout the project. This method aims to train individuals in social action and transforming the world based on their personal experiences and by actively involving individuals in their own learning and reflection.
Putting the project into action
The project took place from February to May 2025, in the form of six meetings with the students selected for this initiative. The youth, all between the 4th and 6th years of secondary school, came from different specializations: sales, childcare, masonry, IT, and education.
The project, led by E&F, alternated between participatory thematic classroom sessions, individual reflections, field visits — including an eco-construction site and a local cooperative — and opportunities for sharing.
This multidimensional approach drew on different learning styles and facilitated student participation and engagement.
For example, during the fourth meeting, students were encouraged to think about the ideal world in which they would like to live in 10 to 15 years. This activity was based on the pillars of change explored in a previous session, meaning that students had already acquired the knowledge and resources to participate in this reflection, which took place in small groups.
Following this exercise, the young people visited an eco-construction site and an agroecological farm —visits that allowed them to meet people who had thought about their ideal world and were implementing it with their own hands.
This visit had a profound impact on the group. The students in the masonry program even asked their teachers to take them back after the pilot project ended, inspired by this encounter and by the immersion in the field.
Results
The results of the pilot project are very positive overall. To assess the impact on the students, two different evaluations were carried out.
The first evaluation session, Self-Positioning within Space, was conducted using a self-assessment format. This was carried out with the entire group, and the students were able to see their classmates’ reflections. This public self-assessment format led to a very pronounced group effect. According to this evaluation session, there was only a slight change in the curiosity and self-confidence levels of the young participants.
The second assessment methodology was used to complement Self-Positioning within Space. The World Cafe gave young people the opportunity to discuss topics in small groups, divided by theme. Each discussion station asked students what they thought, did, or plan to do differently after participating in the project. The results of this evaluation were very positive and contradicted several results of the Self-Positioning within Space evaluation. For example, “while no students reported feeling more curious in the first evaluation, the majority reported having researched the topics covered during the project on social media (which they had not done before).”
Overall, many students have changed their habits in their personal lives or are advising their family and friends to change their consumption habits and think about their relationships with more vulnerable people. Several students have indicated that they want to go on humanitarian trips because of the project, something that the youth did not consider before. Teachers and the school psychologist observed changes in the students in terms of self-confidence and the development of curiosity regarding the themes explored with eh use of GCE.
Conclusion
The success of the project can be measured through the achievement of the two key objectives set at the start of the process, but especially through the visible positive effects the project had on the participating students. The cooperation established between BeGlobal, Entraide & Fraternité, and the Athénée Royal Rochefort-Jemelle has had a positive influence on the youth in the program and has demonstrated that TVET students should not be overlooked when developing GCE initiatives to train and support the next generation in Belgium.
Global Citizenship Education in vocational education
As part of the “Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in vocational education” project, two pilot projects were launched during the 2024-2025 school year.
Two schools, each located on either side of the linguistic border, developed and implemented a GCE pilot project in collaboration with NGOs. In Flanders, KTA CLW Bruges collaborated with the Djapo–Studio Globo consortium. In Wallonia-Brussels, a pilot project was also set up: a collaboration between Athénée Royal Rochefort-Jemelle and Entraide & Fraternité.
Would you like to find out more about the two pilot projects?
The two pilot projects put into practice the recommendations that were drafted by our colleagues at the UCLL, who are the authors of the study “GCE in vocational education.”
Would you like to find out more about the study?
Would you like to find out more about the study?
The project thus aims to contribute to the implementation of concrete measures to address global citizenship education with young people in vocational education, in order to motivate them and raise their awareness of the need to commit to a fairer and more sustainable world.
Click here for more information about the study
Citations
Enabel. (2025). Projet de renforcement de l’éducation à la citoyenneté mondiale dans l’enseignement qualifiant – 2024-2025. Rapport d’évaluation. Entraide & Fraternité en collaboration avec l’Athénée Royal Rochefort-Jemelle.
Would you like to stay informed?
Contact Paulien Caeyers at paulien.caeyers@enabel.be
Conversations with youth for a Credible Future: Rethinking “development cooperation”
📅Friday September 19, 2025
⏰5 PM – 9 PM
📍Enabel, Rue Haute 147, 1000 Brussels (Hybrid: in person and online)
🗣 English & French (translation available)
💬 A call for critical reflection and dialogue
Why this event?
Official development assistance (ODA) is under unprecedented pressure. Deep budget cuts and declining public support are driving the sector through a period of transition. In this context, Je m’engage pour l’Afrique (JMA) and BeGlobal invite you to Brussels on September 19, 2025, for two important conversations about the future of official development assistance.
In January 2025, the sudden suspension of USAID shook the international development world. In Europe, ODA is also under fire: -35% in France, -25% in Belgium, and up to -66% in the Netherlands by 2027. These cuts affect lives worldwide and threaten global solidarity.
But: is ODA still relevant? Should it be reformed or completely reimagined? And how can citizens be involved in this critical conversation?
🗣Two key discussions:
Conversation 1 – A distant reality of citizens: is ODA still worth supporting?
ODA is often misunderstood in the public discours. It’s not a simple form of aid asit involves loans, partnerships, and long-term strategies. We’ll unpack the political and historical roots of ODA and set the stage for a deeper debate. This first discussion raises the key questions that will be addressed in the second conversation.
Conversation 2 – International cooperation in crisis: reallocate resources or change the paradigm?
And now? What are the alternatives? From new financing mechanisms, innovative partnerships, epistemic justice, local ownership and fair partnerships… This session will explore new pathways for a more just, effective, and sustainable international cooperation.
📌Programme
17h – Introduction
- Jean VAN WETTER – CEO Enabel
- Ileana SANTOS – Co-founder Je m’engage pour l’Afrique
- Stefano MANSERVISI – Chair of the Governing Board GCERF
- Alexander DE CROO – Former prime minister of Belgium
Conversation 1 – A distant reality of citizens: is ODA still worth supporting?
Panelists
- Kalvin SOIRESSE NJALL – Member of Parliament, Brussels-Capital Region
- Holy RANAIVOZANANY – Executive Director of the Africa Europe Foundation
- Ousmane SORO – Former Reciprocity Volunteer, France Volontaires
- Adelaide HIRWE – Secretary General AU Youth Initiative
Moderator
Felipe BOSCH – Executive Director Intergenerational Center for Global Action
Conversation 2 – International cooperation in crisis: reallocate resources or change the paradigm?
Panelists
- Zunera RANA – Researcher Radboud University
- Mouctar BAH – President of Brussels Africa Hub
- Alice HUBENS – Sustainable Procurement Officer / Youth Sounding Board of Enabel
- Emily Wigens – EU Directer ONE Campaign
Moderator
Sara KINSBERGEN – Professor of Anthropology and Development Studies Radboud Universiteit
Keynote
Balázs NEMETH – Sustainability Manager Brussels Airlines
Adélaïde CHARLIER – European Climate & Human Rights Advocate
Conclusion
David VAN REYBROUCK – Writer, Historian & Playwriter
20-21h – Reception
For who?
Students, young changemakers, professionals, activists, entrepreneurs, or curious citizens –this event is for everyone, with a with a special focus on youth-led perspectives and participation.
📍 Practical
- Location: Enabel, Rue Haute/Hoogstraat 147, Brussels
- Date & time : September 19, 2025 from 5 PM to 9 PM
- Format: hybrid (in-person + online)
🤝 Organised by
Je m’engage pour l’Afrique
JMA is a non-political association that supports engaged citizens, project coordinators, association representatives, and entrepreneurs in valuing their experiences, formulating concrete policy proposals, and actively participating in public debate.
Practitioners’ Network
Organised in the context of Enabel’s co-presidency (together with SIDA) of the Practitioners’ Network, the platform of European international cooperation agencies.
BeGlobal – Enabel
BeGlobal is Enabel’s youth porgramme, through global citizenship education, it fosters youth engagement for a more just and sustainable world.
Be part of the conversation that will shape the future of public development aid!
Youth Sounding Board
Youth Sounding Board: let your voice be heard!
Young people are the key players in the world of tomorrow. To address global challenges more effectively, the narrative and approaches to international cooperation needs to evolve. Therefore, the voice of youngsters must be represented and amplified. This is why we are proud to announce the launch of the Youth Sounding Board, a pilot project of Enabel.
Young people are the key players in the world of tomorrow. To address global challenges more effectively, the narrative and approaches to international cooperation needs to evolve. Therefore, the voice of youngsters must be represented and amplified. This is why we are proud to announce the launch of the Youth Sounding Board, a pilot project of Enabel.
What?
A number of formal meetings with the Corporate Board and preparatory sessions in between. These will be held mainly in English and led by an external facilitator.
For whom?
A selection of external youngsters and internal youth from Enabel (in Brussels and our partner countries), aged between 18 and 32, interested in global challenges and, more specifically, international cooperation and solidarity.
When?
From the beginning of April 2025 until the end of December 2025. This is a one-year pilot and can be extended after evaluation.
Any questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us through beglobal@enabel.be.
GCE in (T)VET: Global Citizenship Education in Technical and Vocational Secondary Schools
Why strengthen GCE in (T)VET?
Youngsters today are exposed to an increasingly globalised and interconnected world. Globalisation brings opportunities, but also complex challenges for future generations. 2Therefore it is not without reason that young people demand to be equipped with the knowledge and skills that are needed to understand complex problems, to adapt, to find solutions and to engage with others.
Global Citizenship Education (GCE) can be an answer to their demand as it stimulates the potential of young people in their quest for a fairer and more sustainable world. This is all the more true for youngsters in technical and vocational schools, where they, as future professionals, need to demonstrate skills such as flexibility, critical thinking and creativity.
Past research by BeGlobal has already shown that GCE practices and methods are mostly developed for general education. Moreover, research (e.g. ICCS, 2016) points to a gap between citizenship skills in general education and (T)VET. In technical and vocational secondary schools, a practical approach is essential.
To prepare youngsters in Belgian (T)VET education for this changing and increasingly complex world, BeGlobal seeks:
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- to understand the needs of these learners and schools,
- to strengthen bridges between (T)VET schools and Belgian GCE actors,
- and test out new methods and practices in pilot projects.
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So, how?
By taking stock of knowledge on GCE in (T)VET, by testing new approaches and methods with key stakeholders – schools, students and external partners (NGOs) – and by coming together to learn and get inspired! Three parts of the project should reinforce each other and aim to acquire and share knowledge, in order to enhance a sustainable impact.
The desk study
Current state of knowledge on GCE in (T)VET
The study was conducted by a research team from UCLL-Hogeschool. This review of national and international literature, complemented by interviews with NGOs and teachers on the current state and challenges of global citizenship education in technical and vocational education in Belgium. The study also provides recommendations to set up a GCE initiative in (T)VET education.
Two pilot projects
Testing new approaches and methods
A roadmap and good practices emerged from the study’s recommendations. Using these, two schools, one in Wallonia-Brussels and one in Flanders, are creating a new GCE initiative. They are doing so together with pupils and in co-creation with NGOs.
The pilot projects have two main objectives:
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- Foster innovation: develop and test new methods and practices to improve students’ GCE skills in technical and vocational education;
- Testing a hypothesis: “If a GCE initiative starts from the school’s needs and challenges , does that help strengthen GCE in (T)VET?”
The Community of Practice
Coming together to learn and get inspired
This network aims to bring together different actors from the TVET and the GCE sector. The goal of the CoP is to create space to share experiences and knowledge on global citizenship education in technical and vocational education.
The Community of Practice hasn’t been created yet.
Want to know more?
Don’t hesitate to contact beglobal@enabel.be!
SoliDare Festival
Come out there and meet the world!
SoliDare Fest is back in Brussels on 14 and 15 February. This one-of-a-kind festival, organized by and for young people is open to anyone aged 16 to 30 to discover international solidarity and its many dimensions over two days. Do you want to offer your pupils/students a unique opportunity to meet and learn from interesting people as part of a school trip? Then mark Friday 14 February on your calendar.
What is SoliDare Fest?
An educational, inspiring and enriching festival that boost young people’s critical and citizenship mindsets. It is an occasion to get to know NGOs, international organisations and committed young people from all over Belgium.
Young people can explore and discuss challenges such as the environment, decolonisation and socio-economic and gender inequalities.
Programme
The festival will take place on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 February from 10 am to 6.30 pm, with a similar programme on both days:
- Inspirational debates: a reflection on the future of international solidarity with young people by SoliDare, a roundtable discussion between young people and key figures in official international cooperation and a debate on the role of young people in official NGOs with the CNCD-11.11.11.
- Various workshops:
- Martial Arts for Peace by We See You
- Traditional Afar singing and dancing by FIDA
- Fast fashion reflection through screen printing by Latitude Jeunes
- And many more, led by various actors and NGOs working on global citizenship education (WBE) and international solidarity: Broederlijk Delen, Djapo, KIYO, CNAPD, YOUCA, UCOS, VLIR-UOS, UHasselt, ARES, Jagora, Join for Water, WSM, Bibliothèques Sans Frontières, Défi Belgique Afrique, 11. 11.11, CNCD-11.11.11, Oxfam Solidarity, IOM, CEC, 4th Pillar Support Centre, Enabel Junior Program, Diocese Kasongo, …
- Numerous info stands for young people on volunteering, career opportunities in international cooperation, activism and so on.
- Interactive art installations: painting in collaboration with the Palestinian artists of A Land With A People and the VR experience of Draw for Change.
- Meetings with young activists by Intal and young people from Amnesty International
- Theatre: ‘Le passe tête’, the touching testimony of an immigrant without papers
- Exhibitions: KABA Art Initiatives, Draw for Change and a short documentary on reforestation in Rwanda
- Music: various concerts, keep an eye out!
- And of course, there will be plenty of opportunity to enjoy delicious dishes that taste of international solidarity. These will be prepared by Brussels-based caterer, Ben’s Tables.
Where and when?
At Capital asbl/vzw, Antwerpselaan 40, 1000 Brussels
- 14 February 2025: for schools and pupils/students aged 16 and older
- 15 February 2025: for all young people aged 16 to 30
Are you an engaged teacher?
Do you want to encourage your pupils/students to engage in international solidarity? Participate with your class or teaching group in SoliDare Fest on Friday, 14 February! Register your class/lesson group now via the link below and encourage your pupils/students to build a more inclusive future.👇
Do you have questions?
Don’t hesitate to contact us through beglobal@enabel.be.
