Youthpass

What is Youthpass?

Youthpass is the Europe-wide instrument to confirm participation, to describe an activity, and to validate learning experience gained in projects of the 'Youth in Action' programme.
It is aimed at fostering the recognition of the non-formal learning outcomes gained in the projects. An essential part of the initiative is the reflection upon the personal learning process. Furthermore, Youthpass shall support the employability of young people and youth workers, active participation of young people as well as a greater recognition of youth work throughout Europe.

Since 2005, the SALTO Training and Co-operation Resource Centre, based in the German National Agency in Bonn, has been co-ordinating the development and the implementation of Youthpass at European level. Read more about the Youthpass concept here.

After test phases in 2006/2007, the Programme Committee officially agreed in July 2007 on implementing Youthpass as the Europe-wide validation instrument within the 'Youth in Action' programme.

In August 2007, www.youthpass.eu, the online tool to create Youthpass Certificates, was launched. The website is availabale in almost all the official languages of the Youth in Action programme.

Youthpass Certificates are available in many languages for the following Actions of the Youth in Action programme:

• Action 1.1 - Youth Exchanges
• Action 1.2 - Youth Initiatives
• Action 2 - European Voluntary Service
• Action 3.1 - Youth Exchanges and Training Courses
• Action 4.3 - Training Courses
• Action 4.6 - all activity types mentionned above

The SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre offers you:

• The website www.youthpass.eu including the technical tool to create Youthpass Certificates
• A providing educational and technical support for creating Youthpass Certificates
• Expertise on the issue of the recognition of non-formal learning
• International Youthpass training courses implemented by the Youthpass trainer group
• Publications and educational guidance to work with Youthpass in your "Youth in Action" project

Publications

The following Youthpass publications are available online:

• The Youthpass Guide providing background information and practical advice for using Youthpass in your approved "Youth in Action" project
• The booklet "Youthpass for ALL! Recognising skills of young people with fewer opportunities" based on the 'Let's Youthpass it on' seminar which took place in France in 2009. This booklet is developed as a companion to the Youthpass guide and contains lots of advice, tips and methods from youth workers who want to use Youthpass with and for young people with fewer opportunities.

Youthpass training courses

The aim of the international Youthpass training courses is to train youth workers and trainers, who are planning to integrate Youthpass in their projects, on the issue of recognition of non-formal learning in general and on the reflection of learning outcomes in specific project types.

Upcoming courses:

Youthpass - Tools & Methods, taking place in Berlin/ Germany from November 22nd till 28th, 2010. This seminar aims to collect and develop tools and methods to support the Youthpass process in all Actions of the Youth in Action programme. The course is organised by the SALTO Training and Cooperation RC, the National Agency of Germany and by the UNIQUE Network and it is open for trainers, youth workers and support people from Youth in Action Programme Countries and from Neighbouring Partner Countries.

Let's train with our neighbours: Recognition of non-formal learning in youth work, organised by the SALTO South East Europe RC, the SALTO Training and Cooperation RC and the National Agencies of Slovenia and Turkey. This activity is a long-term training course, consisting of three phases: 1.) a residential training course from 8 - 14 November 2010 in Montenegro, 2.) a coaching phase of participants' projects developed in the framework of this activity and 3.) a 4 - 5 day evaluation seminar in October 2011. The overall aim of the training course it to support the development of competences of youth workers and youth leaders for increasing recognition of non-formal learning in youth work. It is open for participants from Youth in Action Programme Countries and from Neighbouring Partner Countries.

 

The Youthpass training courses are facilitated by:
Sylvain Abrial, Paul Kloosterman, Nerijus Kriauciunas, Mieke Neven McMahon, Simona Molari, Tadej Pugelj, Mark Taylor and Vojislava Tomic Radivojsa.

Please click here to read what the Youthpass trainer group can offer you.