Details
Project Reference: 2016-2-EE01-KA205-017392
Programme: Erasmus+
Start date: 01-09-2016
End date: 31-08-2018
Key Action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices
Action Type: Strategic Partnerships for youth
Countries covered: 10
Topics:
Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy) – Inclusion-equity – Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning
Website: Involve! Include! Improve! – Blog
Materials: Booklet: Quality preparation, support and mentoring of EVS volunteers, Group leader’s manual, Frequently asked questions for Erasmus+ projects
Summary
Strategic partnership project KA2 “Include! Involve! Improve!” was a partnership between 10 organizations from Estonia, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Romania, Poland, UK, Slovakia and Turkey and lasted from 1st September 2016 to 31st August 2018. Project had 2 transnational project meetings which involved 20 participants from 10 partner countries and one short-term joint staff training event, which trained total of 24 youth workers from 10 countries. Additionally we carried out local activities every month in Estonia and in partner countries. The general aim of our project was to raise the quality of international youth project via exchange of good practices between the network of strategic partners.
Concrete objectives were:
– To raise the quality of Erasmus + projects in the field of youth inside and outside partner network
– To ensure quality preparation and support for Estonian young people and youth workers before they attend international event
– To train youth leaders to raise their competence as group leaders in international youth projects
– To spread the information about Erasmus + projects to a wider audience with focus on involving more young people with fewer opportunities in international projects through engaging local youth workers
– Exchange good practices in local and international youth work between partners to raise the quality of youth exchanges
– To build up a solid network of partners to organize youth projects which are inclusive, support participation of young people with fewer opportunities and take into account human rights and democratic values.
All our methods used were based on non-formal learning. Trainings and transnational meetings were based on the same idea, and we included moderators and trainers who were familiar with non-formal learning methods and did provide some input. We used methods such as discussions, analyses, role-plays, group-building exercises, creative tools, activities with local communities etc. We made sure our activities were an example of non-formal learning in the international context, and besides providing space to share and learn from each other and gain new competences, we wanted to make our activities/mobilities a good example, from which to learn. As a result of the project, 20 participants have taken part of joint staff meetings over 2 years and contributed to the exchange of good practices between partner organizations. We have trained 26 youth workers via short-term training for staff and they have gained specific competences to raise the quality of youth work in all participating organizations. We have engaged directly more than 7400 young people/youth workers in various local activities. At least 2600 participants have be involved in Estonia and the rest in partner countries. At least 50% of target group reached has been with fewer opportunities. We have created 3 manuals directed to youth workers and organizations, young people and group leaders in youth exchanges.
Coordinator:
SEIKLEJATE VENNASKOND – Estonia
Partners:
A.D.E.L. – ASSOCIATION FOR DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION AND LABOUR – Slovakia
ASOCIACION JUVENIL INTERCAMBIA – Spain
ASOCIATIA D.G.T – Romania
Associazione Attiva-Mente – Italy
Diyarbakir Cevre ve Kalkinma Dernegi – Türkiye
Europejska Fundacja Edukacyjno-Sportowa – Poland
NEOI ELLADOS SE EYROPAIKI DRASI – Greece
TEATRO METAPHORA – ASSOCIACAO DE AMIGOS DAS ARTES – Portugal
Youth Discovery Ventures Ltd – United Kingdom