AMS - Associazione per la Mobilitazione Sociale Onlus

AMS Onlus is a non-profit organisation founded in 2004 based in Palermo (Italy). It carries out actions to prevent social discomfort through activities aimed at promoting the improvement of individual protection factors and actions of empowerment of the community. Today it involves several professionals (psychologists, educators, youth workers and project managers) and about 10 volunteers. AMS is listed in the "Register of Associations of Family Solidarity" of the Sicily Region. It operates mainly in Sicily, although it has collaborative relationships with other organisations in Lombardy, Rome and Apulia. At the EU level, it has created the "European Youth Bridge" partnership with 11 other organisations for cooperation purposes. It also collaborates with various Sicilian compulsory education schools in the promotion of experimental projects aimed to promote the school welfare. In particular, in the implementation of initiatives, uses methodologies such as peer Education, carried out in schools for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, new addictions, bullying and gender violence. AMS has also been involved in "Life skills education" improving skills such as: Problem solving - Decision making - Creativity - Critical thinking - Self-awareness - Relational skills - Effective communication - Emotion management - Stress management - Empathy. AMS is currently involved in projects focused on Edutainment: development of intervention projects that link the purpose of education and entertainment, particularly through the use of video, radio, board games, musical competitions and other expressive arts. AMS developed several experiential training methodologies and courses (according to learning by doing methodology) created for students, teachers, educators and parents, in different areas. Since 2016, it is also a member of the main Italian network of -Life Skills- professionals, called "LIFE SKILLS ITALIA" (Bologna, Italy). The initiatives promoted by the Association have mainly concerned 3 areas: 1.Promoting health and well-being; 2.Active participation in the life of the community (both the municipality and the school): in this context, the Association promotes projects of Active participation of citizens in local life. Also through the organisation of training courses, consultations, seminars, workshops, using techniques and tools such as: focus groups, seminar on the scenario of awareness European, structured dialogue; 3.Employment: aimed at young people at risk of social exclusion, promotion of projects of dissemination of work culture, commitment to improving the employability of young people, creation of new businesses, training and meetings in schools. Still in the school context, in 2018 it created a residential campus for students in middle schools based on Emotions and Sports. It also supports children and youth who are victims of violence and, in particular, works with schools for the prevention of bullying among peers. For several years, it has promoted education on life skills in the workplace, the youth policies and emotional intelligence training courses for social workers. Within the framework of ERASMUS + Capacity building in the youth field, AMS has won as Italian partner the project entitled "Act as a leader", which aimed to: strengthen the development of youth policies in the Philippines structuring a more efficient participatory process of youth in political life. Young people will be encouraged to take part in the democratic life of their local, regional, national and international communities. The project also facilitates structural dialogue with public authorities to promote and improve the communication, information and consultation of young people by institutions. AMS Onlus coordinated 2 Erasmus KA220 project, one in the field of Youth one in the field of Adult, and is partner in several other European initiatives.