Summary
Bridging the Gap in the Transition to Adulthood is a project aimed at amplifying the voices and experiences of young people who have been involved in the juvenile justice system. Promoted by Defence for Children Italy in collaboration with the European Children Friendly Justice Network, and co-funded by the European Union, the project offers a safe and participatory space where these young people can share their stories, develop skills, and become active agents of change.
At the heart of BRIDGE is the belief that those who have directly experienced the justice system should be involved in shaping the policies that affect them. Through this initiative, they are given the opportunity to engage in advocacy, reclaim their narratives, and contribute to meaningful change.
Activities
The project will form a group of Young Justice Transformers, composed of young people aged 16 to 22 who have gone through administrative or judicial proceedings as minors and are interested in participating in rights-based advocacy work. Over the course of around 10 meetings between June and November 2025, participants will be involved in:
- Participatory research: sharing personal experiences and gathering peer testimonies to highlight needs, obstacles, and proposals for better support during the transition to adulthood.
- Co-creation of a White Paper: an anonymized document collecting the insights and experiences shared during the project.
- Drafting of an institutional Recommendation, to be addressed to national and European decision-makers and stakeholders.
- Participation in the Child Justice Caravan in Brussels, where a delegation of two young people will present their work and engage in dialogue with European institutions and youth from other countries.
- All participants will receive a reimbursement of expenses as recognition for their time and commitment to the project.
