Adeje Town Hall, through the Department of Community Well-being and Social Cohesion, has launched the 'Exprésate' project, an initiative designed to foster active youth participation in the municipality’s community life. The project has received €7,187 in funding from the Tenerife Cabildo as part of its programme to increase participation among young people in Adeje. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish spaces where young people can express their concerns and take part in decision-making that affect their environment.
The project is aimed at people aged 12 - 18 and seeks to strengthen links through meetings where their concerns and proposals can be addressed, creating a model of real participation in which young voices are heard and taken into account.
The councillor for Community Welfare and Social Cohesion, Raquel Rodríguez Alonso, highlighted the importance of creating these spaces for young people that encourage engagement and social commitment from an early age. “We want Adeje’s young people to feel like an active part of society, to have places where they can express themselves and opportunities to help shape the place they want to live in. This project not only gives them a voice but also allows them to develop skills that will be useful in their personal and professional lives,” she stated.
One of the project’s main focuses will be the introduction of participation roundtables, which will take place in various locations across Adeje. The first will be held at the Adeje Youth Centre on 24 March, followed by a session at the Los Olivos Special Needs Centre on 26 March and finally at the Las Nieves Second Opportunity School on 28 March. Each session, lasting approximately two hours, will provide a space for dialogue where young people can share their views on different topics of interest, with guidance from professionals who will facilitate the participation process.
The 'Exprésate' project aligns with the principles outlined in UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises the right of children and adolescents to be heard and to participate actively in society. Adeje Town Hall’s family care department works to protect and guarantee these rights, promoting safe spaces where young people can express their opinions and contribute to the town’s development.
In addition to encouraging debate and reflection on the role of young people in society, the project aims to develop social, emotional, and civic skills. Equal opportunities are also a key pillar of this initiative, ensuring that all young people, regardless of their background or socio-economic situation, have access to these participation spaces.
