Fostering Inclusion and Shared Values in Juvenile Justice through Correctional Pedagogy and Specialist Professionalization

The EU-funded project titled “Fostering Inclusion and Shared Values in Juvenile Justice through Correctional Pedagogy and Specialist Professionalization” in the following two years aims to strengthen the capacity of higher education institutions in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia by equipping specialists with the skills necessary to implement innovative interventions in correctional settings. This initiative integrates education, research, and the labor market to reinforce democracy and the rule of law, positioning universities as lifelong learning hubs for both students and professionals. A key milestone is the introduction of Europe’s first two curricula in Correctional Pedagogy, which offer holistic, multidisciplinary education in law, psychology, social sciences, and education to support youth in contact with the law. The project will utilize three core methodologies: DACUM Approach Workshops to identify competencies for correctional pedagogy, Structured Public Hearings to establish five Balkan Research Centers for Correctional Pedagogy, and Peer Learning and Mentorship to foster regional collaboration. By promoting inclusive, research-driven, and skills-based approaches, this project aims to transform correctional education in the Balkans and contribute to the rehabilitation and empowerment of youth involved with the justice system.