Project Learning for Young Adults programme, Radovljica Adult Education Centre

responsible person: Mateja Rozman Amon
Nominated by: Lili Kozinc

Radovljica Folk High School (RFHS) plays an important role in adult education in Radovljica and the wider region. Among the numerous high-quality educational programmes, the Project Learning for Young Adults (PLYA) programme stands out: not only does it give strength to individual participants who have been marginalized due to personal or family problems, it also changes attitudes towards those participating in the programme.

RFHS has been providing the PLYA programme since 2000. Every year, up to 24 people aged between 15 and 25 who failed to complete their education enrol in the programme free of charge. The programme is based on project work, but the individual approach is important. The basic aim of the programme is to draw young people back into the education system, and to improve their employability. It attempts to equip young people with forms of knowledge that help them to resolve personal difficulties and uncertainties, and encourage them to set real goals in life - to become independent, to discover hidden talents, to find employment and to become responsible adults.

Radovljica Folk High School PLYA has in recent years carried out a number of successful projects: they recorded a documentary film, Mladost za ogledalom [Youth in the Mirror], a film parody Kekec se vrača [Return of Kekec], a music video Rejverski Kekec [Raver Kekec], and a play, Ljubezen je ljubezen [Love is Love], performed in Linhartova Dvorana in Radovljica and elsewhere. Their work has drawn attention not just from the Slovene public, but also elsewhere in Europe. In 2010, Radovljica Folk High School PLYA was presented as an example of good practice in Brussels, while Radovljica has hosted many experts and European political representatives who wanted to see PLYA for themselves.

The PLYA Programme also has a positive impact on public opinion. "More and more people recognise participants as successful, talented, decent. The prejudices that they are lazy, incompetent, that they'll never amount to anything, are disappearing," according to the nomination.