Bureau Information Jeunesse du Pays de Foix-Varilhes et de l’Ariège

The Bureau Information Jeunesse du Pays Foix-Varilhes et de l’Ariège (BIJ PFVA) aims to participate in the autonomy of young people by accompanying them in the access to information and devices that concern them. The structure is responsible for developing its project in the Pays de Foix-Varilhes agglomeration, in line with the territory's youth project, and for leading the departmental network of nine Youth Information (IJ) structures in the department. The association welcomes young people from 13 to 30 years old, freely, anonymously and free of charge, to help them with questions relating to employment, accommodation, welfare, voluntary projects, civic service, international mobility and culture. BIJ PFVA provides both individual support and collective information and education activities (CV workshops, workshops about interculturality and international mobility, accommodation and employment forums). We try to bring youth people to focus on global citizenship and to participate in civic life. We also aim to develop their critical thinking skills (particularly digital, and social network use). In this goal of autonomization, international mobility is an unavoidable tool. Our territory, Ariège, is a rural territory, thus mobility (even local) is a real issue for young people, especially the JAMO. In 2019, the BIJ PFVA will be in charge of the departmental PAEJ. Thus, since 2019 our structure is composed of a director, a coordinator, a youth worker in charge of digital tools, a youth worker (from 27 September) ; but also a social worker and two psychologists (PAEJ 09). These two systems allow us to have a generalist structure (Info Jeunes 09) and a structure dedicated to listening and psycho-social support, particularly for JAMO. Being a generalist association, we have succeeded in integrating into the associative and political network of the department. We are part of many decision-making bodies, notably the territorial educational project (PEDT). We try every day to consolidate this local partnership, by building a multi-partner youth center.