Abstract
A considerable number of young Europeans live or risk ending up in socially vulnerable situations. Different social channels (e.g., education, on the job training, leisure) exist through which youths can enhance their chances to improve their social position. There is a growing belief that sports in particular can help personal and social development of socially vulnerable youths. Nevertheless, there is little understanding of the mechanisms through which sports can foster development. In addition to participating in sports, volunteering in sports is also regarded as providing developmental opportunities for socially vulnerable youths. Today, however, there is an underrepresentation of socially vulnerable youths in volunteering and volunteer training programs. A case study in Brussels was set up within a volunteer soccer training program focused on socially vulnerable youths. A qualitative research design was used to analyze developmental experiences of participants (n = 11) and program organizers (n = 3). The study also aimed to gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying the program. Participating youths indicated development in both technical and key competences. It is concluded that a systematic approach of the volunteer training program can play an important role in the development of competences of socially vulnerable youths both as a volunteer and an individual.
Highlights
Ac-Social Inclusion, 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages 82-97 cording to Sourbron and Herremans (2013), the opportunities for young job seekers highly depend on their educational qualifications
The aim of the study was on the one hand to gain more insight in the underlying mechanisms of the volunteer training program
The youths in our study indicated that they had personally changed during the volunteer training program
Summary
It is estimated that at present 13.0% of young people (aged between 15 and 24) in the European Union are neither in education nor in employment (Eurostat, 2014). Recent data show increased youth unemployment rates in Europe (Eurostat, 2014; ILO, 2013). Lowand unskilled youths in Europe stand fewer chances of getting a job compared to their highly skilled peers. Social Inclusion, 2015, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages 82-97 cording to Sourbron and Herremans (2013), the opportunities for young job seekers highly depend on their educational qualifications. Dierckx, Coene, Van Haarlem and Raeymakers (2013) indicated that an individual's or head of family's level of education is strongly linked to poverty risk, reflecting the lack of a higher qualification ensuing deprivation. A considerable number of young Europeans live or risk ending up in socially vulnerable situations
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