Bet your life! The exchange of knowledge & best practices in problem gambling prevention and intervention Erasmus Project

Project Title

Bet your life! The exchange of knowledge & best practices in problem gambling prevention and intervention

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Health and wellbeing

Project Summary

Problem gambling and gambling addiction is a serious but often overlooked issue both in Finland and Cyprus. An estimated 124 000 residents (3,3%) in Finland have a gambling problem and nearly 20% has a relative whose gambling was out of control. A recent school survey showed that 7.1% of eighth and ninth graders said they gambled once or twice weekly. The study released by Cyprus’ National Betting Authority in March 2018 showed alarming figures. 13 % of gamblers show symptoms of possible problematic behaviour and 6% can be described as pathological gamblers. Cypriot pupils, both boys and girls gamble the most out of all pupils in the EU.The Cyprus National Addictions Authority has prepared an Action Plan for battling pathological gambling for 2018-2020.

Sosped Foundation has gained knowledge of problem gambling and developed effective peer support, training and mentoring models since 2008. Pelirajat’on/Limit’less Gambling is Sosped Foundation’s flag ship and it has achieved broad coverage in Finland, rapid growth and proven effectiveness. The next step is to provide the operating model for international use. YEU Cyprus has a long history and strong expertise in organising and delivering training courses and projects on different topics, focusing always on youth development, awareness raising and capacity building.

Sosped Foundation, together with EU Cyprus have shared knowledge and best practices, to learn from each other and to develop their activities to better suit working with young people. In both countries, there’s a demand for knowledge, new approaches, effective models and concrete tools that support young people, significant others and families who are suffering from problem gambling. There’s also room for new ideas for preventive work among young people.

Through exchange of expertise and good practices the project aimed to improve the understanding, competence and ability of both organisations to support their target groups and work with young people. This was achieved by organizing 5-day learning events in Finland and Cyprus. The events included training, workshops and study visits. The focus was at developing and promoting quality youth work in both organisations. Main results of the project were empowerment of the participants and learning on three levels: individual participants, professional personnel and organisations. The results were achieved through transnational meetings and learning events and monitoring and evaluating the project activities.

Sosped Foundation organised a learning event to increase awareness about problem gambling and introduce an effective (peer-support based) model for tackling the problem locally. YEU Cyprus organised a learning event involving new methods to reach young people. The goal was find new ways to raise awareness among youth and develop non-formal education and experiential learning.

CENTRAL RESULTS IN BOTH COUNTRIES
CYPRUS
1) 6 trained young people & 4 trained personnel
2) Increased awareness about problem gambling and a model for tackling the problem locally
3) Development of organisation’s youth work (problem gamblers and their significant others as new target group, new training, peer support & mentoring models)
4) New perspective & experience in European/Erasmus+ co-operation
5) A translated (English) workbook to organize peer-support activities for people suffering from problematic gambling
6) A concrete project idea in order to start raise awareness about problematic gambling

SOSPED FOUNDATION
1) 6 trained volunteers & experts by experience, 4 trained personnel
2) New & effective methods to reach young people and support them
3) Development of organisation’s youth work (young people as a new target group, new training, peer support & mentoring models)
4) New perspective and experience in European/Erasmus+ co-operation

Both partners gained awareness of best practices, new ideas and tools to work with current and future target groups. Both organizations managed to also get strategic partnerships with different organizations involved in the project. YEU Cyprus employees learned to recognize problem gambling and acquire tools to begin discussions with young people. In Finland Sosped’s personnel and volunteers learned YEU Cyprus’ best practices and adapted them to Sosped’s projects and employees professional skills.

Project started in February 2019 and ended in January 2020. Learning events were held in June and August. Three Transnational project meetings were held: In March, May and September. The evaluation of the project was done during the autumn of 2019.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 37523 Eur

Project Coordinator

Sosiaalipedagogiikan säätiö & Country: FI

Project Partners

• NEOLEA GIA ANTALAGI KAI KATANOISI