TAJO aims to make a significant contribution to the empowerment and integration of young people from socially vulnerable backrounds in Ghent. Through its initiative in Ghent, TAJO offers an attractive, diverse, and accessible after-school educational programme for disadvantaged youngsters, helping to improve their chances of educational and career success while reducing the risk of early school dropout.
In the Ghent area:
- 23% of children are born in poverty.
- 20% of young people leave secondary school without a qualification for the labour market, increasing their risk of unemployment.
TAJO stands for “Talentatelier voor Jongeren” which translates from Dutch as “Talent Workshops for Young People.”
TAJO aims to guide several hundred disadvantaged young people aged 10 to 14 living in the Ghent region in order to:
- provide them with a positive perspective on their future;
- help them stay motivated and develop self-awareness, resilience, and self-confidence;
- facilitate their integration into society by encouraging a positive self-image and strengthening their social skills;
- protect them from demotivation, school failure, delinquency, youth unemployment, and radicalisation
Interview with Claudia van Egmond (Managing Director of TAJO)
Despite all efforts, social vulnerability continues to limit opportunities for many young people. To seize opportunities, they must first be made aware of them.
At TAJO, we motivate young people by giving them a glimpse of what their future could look like, helping them understand the importance of doing their best today to build a successful tomorrow.
Through interactive Saturday workshops, TAJO introduces young people aged 10 to 14 to a wide range of professions, as well as the skills and talents associated with them.
Experienced professionals act as guest teachers and share their expertise in various fields, including healthcare, journalism, entrepreneurship, and culture. The workshops are delivered in an engaging and hands-on way, allowing participants to discover which areas interest them most. Young people are encouraged to pursue educational pathways that will help them thrive, both at school and later in life. TAJO is open to everyone, with a particular focus on those who need support the most.
TAJO’s Objective
“Two years ago, we at TAJO identified the need to address an important question: why do families experiencing vulnerability struggle to progress, and why are their children not sufficiently supported in discovering their talents, developing self-confidence, and building valuable networks?”
We repeatedly found that education is a decisive factor in determining the opportunities and social environments available to an individual.
Investing in education is one of the most effective ways to improve the prospects of people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.
TAJO aims to provide young people who are about to enter secondary school with a solid foundation for making informed decisions about their future.
“We voluntarily support these young people over a three-year period. During this time, we help them discover their talents, explore their personalities, and develop self-confidence through weekly Saturday workshops conducted in Dutch.”
TAJO brings approximately 120 young people closer to society and supports them on their journey with the help of around 500 volunteers, experts, and educational staff across two locations in Ghent, Belgium.
TAJO’s experts share their passion and knowledge during the workshops, providing participants with valuable experiences and insights that can contribute to a brighter future.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, TAJO rose to the challenge of maintaining its network and continuing to support young people despite lockdown restrictions. Through personalised diploma ceremonies held at participants’ homes, TAJO volunteers maintained strong connections and ensured continuous engagement. Thanks to its small teams, TAJO was able to resume its Saturday workshops quickly and continue its activities effectively after the lockdown.
Future Vision
TAJO’s ambition is to create a lasting positive impact on society by helping more young people successfully complete secondary education. TAJO is one of the few proactive initiatives that supports children at a crucial stage in their lives, when they are making important decisions about their future.
“Children at this age are eager to learn and discover their talents. At TAJO, we do everything we can to support them on that journey.”
The project aims to expand beyond Ghent and be replicated in other cities across Belgium and Europe.
Photos © TAJO
For young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, achieving academic success is not always easy. Scientific research confirms that children and young people who grow up in poverty have significantly lower educational outcomes than their peers.
In secondary education, they are not only more likely to be redirected from general education to special education programmes, but they are also overrepresented among students who leave school without qualifications (early school leavers).
