SIGNS
Project “Empowering Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Youth through Citizen Social Science”
Project start: 01 Oct 2025
Duration: 24 months
Project end: 30 Sep 2027
Project number: 2025-1-PL01-KA220-YOU-000355421
Project start
We are starting the SIGNS project. Its full title is SIGNS – Empowering Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing youth through citizen social science. Across Europe, young Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people are too often described, researched, and consulted without having real influence on decisions that affect their lives.
SIGNS changes this way of thinking. In this project, young Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people take an active role. They speak about their needs, challenges, and ideas, and work together with other young people to look for solutions based on their own experiences.
The project is implemented by organisations from four countries: Poland, Greece, Ukraine, and Slovakia. The coordinator of the project is the Polish Association of the Deaf, working together with project partners Web2Learn, EKVE, NGO Vidchui, and ANEPS.
The SIGNS project is funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and will be implemented from 2025 to 2027.
What is SIGNS?
SIGNS is a European cooperation project that strengthens the social wellbeing of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) youth. Through citizen social science (CSS), we empower young people as agents of change in their communities, working together with hearing peers to co-create inclusive solutions and advocate for better youth policies.
Our main objectives
Understanding DHH youth’s needs
We map barriers and opportunities for DHH youth’s social wellbeing through citizen social science tools and learning resources.
Empowering educators & organisations
We provide upskilling activities and resources for DHH youth educators and organisations working with DHH communities.
Fostering inclusive collaboration
We bring together DHH and hearing youth to co-create solutions and advocate for inclusive youth policies.
SIGNS across Europe
The SIGNS consortium brings together organisations from Poland, Greece, Ukraine and Slovakia, combining expertise in DHH advocacy, education, citizen science and youth work.