Action Education in Europe
The context of intervention
Europe is currently experiencing a context marked by both the rise of extremism and the migration crisis. Indeed, the multiplication of conflicts, as well as environmental, security, economic and political crises are leading to internal and external displacement of populations in many countries.
In Europe, educational issues are generally quite different from what Action Education encounters in its usual countries of intervention. With regard to educational issues, in Europe, progress towards MDG 4 is judged to be "moderate overall". In France, the figures show that 98% of children attend school, while in Europe the figure is between 93% and 95%. However, whether in France or in other European countries, the problems of discrimination and harassment at school weigh heavily on school attendance and drop-out rates, and inequality and insecurity are on the increase. In France, several thousand children are currently not attending school, although the exact number remains uncertain as they are neither counted nor recorded.
Today, people living in precarious housing are among the most vulnerable groups in Europe, facing major problems in terms of housing, social and professional integration and access to education. Their living conditions are extremely precarious.
- The Romania and the Bulgaria are among the poorest and most unequal countries in the European Union: more than one in three households live without running water, and more than two in three without access to drinking water or electricity.
- In RomaniaMore than 60,000 Roma families live in shanty towns, and 80% of Roma in Romania are at risk of poverty.
- In FranceSeine-Saint-Denis (93) is the poorest département, with more than a third of its children living in households with a standard of living below the monetary poverty threshold (compared with 21.7% in Île-de-France and 20.8% in mainland France). These children represent 23.4% in Val de Marne (94) and 24% in Val d'Oise. The Créteil education authority, which includes these two departments, has the highest poverty rate in mainland France. It also has the highest school drop-out rate.
In Île de FranceMore than 7,000 people live on at least 137 sites, with more than 1,300 children, including 193 attending school (DIHAL figures). However, these figures, which are unreliable and grossly underestimated, conceal an even more worrying situation.
In response to these challenges, Action Education is focusing its efforts on on improving educational provision for people living in precarious housing (shanty towns, squats, social hotels, streets...) discriminated against and invisible to the public authorities. To achieve this, Action Education is committed to support for these populations (fight against discrimination, deconstruction of representations in reception and social and educational monitoring structures) as well as in educational and integration provision.
Our areas of intervention
Action Education's main areas of intervention in Europe :
- Access and quality of education
- Education for life (training and employment)
- Education for sustainable development, peace and global citizenship
- Education in migration situations
She testifies
"We are looking to create opportunities for the children we work with to experience success. We look for ways to make them feel good about themselves, that they have a lot of strengths and that they are capable of achieving great results. We try to motivate them to believe in themselves and in their possibilities for a good future. This project helps them to think and imagine that future by giving them courage to be optimistic.
Cristina Bala, Director of Stea, Action Education's partner in Romania
Our projects in Europe
Access to and continued schooling for people living in precarious housing
Action Education aims to improve educational provision for families who are furthest from school, particularly those living in precarious housing, by setting up collective initiatives.
Educational coherence in the Val-d'Oise
Action Education brings together the educational players in the Val d'Oise department for study days to reflect together on educational issues.
Educational issues and stakeholder dynamics surrounding the schooling of children living in precarious housing in Val-de-Marne
Action Education is involved in the Val-de-Marne region, where the challenges of educating children in precarious housing situations are significant.
The power to act of young people in precarious housing: social impact and inclusion through innovative psychosocial, educational and creative practices (Yes I'm IN)
We are working together to promote equal opportunities and inclusion for young people living in precarious housing conditions in Romania, Bulgaria and France.
Support for cross-training and participatory modules on "schooling to the test of extreme precariousness" in Lyon.
We are working to ensure that all children in the Lyon metropolitan area can benefit from the same right as all children: to go to school.
POWER: People mobilise for their power to act and for their rights
We are committed to giving the young people and women of Nadejda the opportunity to mobilise and take action on individual and collective issues.
Together for a better life
We are strengthening and supporting local associations in their work with children and their families living in precarious housing conditions in Romania.
More information on
Action Education in Europe
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