About

X-MEN will contribute to preventing gender-based violence by addressing masculinities and the engagement of men and boys at risk or socially excluded in 3 EU countries (PT, ES, HR), and whose situation was aggravated by COVID-19 pandemic.

X-MEN’s main goal is the promotion of nonviolent masculinities and the development of strategies that break cycles of violence, contributing in this way to sustainable secondary and tertiary violence prevention, while fostering tools and interventions that aim to reduce GBV and promote gender equality.

#1

Provide 3 comprehensive national-based studies on youth’s attitudes, behaviours and understandings about manhood, gender relations and the use of violence, and how these have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic;

#2

Develop a general overview at the European level on preventing gender-based violence among adolescents at risk of social exclusion, and on the impact that COVID-19 mitigation measures had on the EU strategy.

#3

Promote changes in individuals’ attitudes and behaviours on gender equality, use of violence, and self-efficacy in relationships while responding to the voices and needs of adolescents.

#4

Training professionals working with youth at risk to recognize the need for supportive environments and action plans for adolescents who have experienced violence, in order to prevent GBV and promote GE.

By adopting a gender-synchronised and transformative approach and working at multiple levels, X-MEN will develop an evidence-based methodology suitable for several professionals working with adolescents at risk of social exclusion.

#1

The first is based on a later adaptation of the project Youth Living Peace (2015) and inspired by research that illustrates the intergenerational transmission of violence. It aims to create sustainable changes in institutional contexts where these adolescents are found (host families and reception centres for migrants and refugees; juvenile detention centres), working with the professionals.

#2

The second methodology engages youth in GBV prevention & GE promotion by providing young people tools to question gender norms and violent behaviours. These methodologies have been adapted by the consortium of this project under EQUI-X.

#3

The third methodology is based on the impact assessment of the EQUI-X project, which recommends the strengthening of the participatory approach by creating artistic-based campaigns and inclusive language campaigns for young people, promoting gender equality, and reinforcing the reflexive engagement of young men.

X-MEN builds on impact-evaluated experiences in GBV prevention via three evidence-based methodologies:

CES - Center for Social Studies

Coordination / Portugal

The Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra is a scientific institution focused on research and advanced training within the Social Sciences and the Humanities, through an inter and transdisciplinary approach.

Since its foundation, in 1978, CES has been conducting research with and for an inclusive, innovative and reflexive society by promoting creative critical approaches in the face of some of the most urging challenges of contemporary societies. Its goal is to continue engaging generations of exceptionally talented researchers and students in the field of Social Sciences.

CES scientific strategy aims to democratize knowledge, revitalize human rights and to contribute to the establishment of science as a public commodity. We pursue this mission by continuously reshaping our research fields in a response to the needs of the society. Our work covers a wide range of scientific activities and scope, at the national and international level, with particular focus on the North-South and South-North dialogues, contributing to the development, dissemination and application of cutting-edge science and to an advanced research and training of excellence.

CEPAIM - Fundación CEPAIM Acción Integral con Migrantes

Spain

CEPAIM FOUNDATION Fundación Cepaim is a Spanish NGO whose mission is to promote an inclusive and intercultural society that facilitates full access to citizenship rights for the most vulnerable people in our society and, in particular, for migrants. We do so by developing policies to combat any form of social exclusion and collaborating in the development of local territories and migrants’ countries of origin. We carry out this work through different areas, including Equality and Non-Discrimination, International Protection, Housing and Community-based Development.

The Kinder project is carried out by the Equality and Non-Discrimination Area, which has the main goals of promoting equal opportunities between women and men: fighting gender-based violence; encouraging the adequate management of diversity, promoting equal treatment and opportunities in companies and organizations; and ensuring the inclusion of a feminist gender perspective in the design and implementation of all actions aimed at Cepaim users, the organizational structure and society in general. The activities of the Equality and Non-Discrimination Area focus on social interventions with women and men, training and consultancy for organizations, enterprises and professionals, social innovations projects with special attention to research and action-research programs.

STATUS M - Organizacija Status M

Croatia

Status M is a non-governmental and non-profit organization based in Zagreb, Croatia. Since the beginning in 2010 its activities contribute to building a society of freedom, non-violence, inclusion and social justice through the fight for gender equality by working with youth, primarily boys and young men, adult men, students and experts in education, health and social care system. Status M’s program with youth is the most recognizable in Croatia as it’s aimed at working directly with boys and young men on gender equality and violence prevention in primary and secondary schools and local (Roma) communities throughout Croatia, through a partnership with Centres for Social Welfare in Zagreb, Čakovec and Rijeka, and in the Juvenile detention Center in Turoplje. That program has been supported by the Department of Social Work of the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Zagreb where Status M holds training and seminars for students. The program was also recognised by the Ministry of Science and Education in Croatia, which has officially accredited and recommended it for implementation in educational institutions in Croatia.

Vzw Zijn

Consultant - Belgium

Vzw Zijn – Movement against Violence activates the society in order to prevent violence through awareness raising campaigns and actions, education, networking, and policy advocacy. Vzw Zijn especially focusses on involving boys and men in promoting gender equality, preventing gender based violence, and deconstructing restrictive gender stereotypes as a founding partner of the MoveMen initiative (together with RoSa vzw – Centre of Expertise on Gender and Feminism).

Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice

Consultant - United States

Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice (formerly Promundo-US) works to promote gender equality and create a world free from violence by engaging men and boys in partnership with women, girls, and individuals of all gender identities. Our work emerges from more than two decades of local and international research, program development and advocacy.

XMEN – Masculinities, Empathy, Non-violence is funded by the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme (2021-2027) under grant agreement 101049457