Background:
“Step In” is the first course of a three level training curriculum that aims at increasing and deepening co-operation between European and Mediterranean partners in youth work.
The training course is designed for youth workers and youth leaders (professional or volunteer) from both sides of the Mediterranean Sea to support their professional development and to extend their competencies to integrate a Euro-Mediterranean dimension within their projects and practice.
The training course will approach a variety of subjects, such as exploring the Euro-Mediterranean dimension, intercultural learning, project management and risk assessment. Special emphasis is put on a common project development. That is why the course will provide essential skills in order to set up “youth exchanges” (Action 1), “voluntary services” (Action 2) and give a basic insight of the first two activities within “support measures” (Action 5).
Aims and Objectives:
The aims of this course are:
- to support the professional development of youth workers and youth leaders by extending their competencies to integrate a Euro-Mediterranean dimension within their projects and practice
- promote the use of the EUROMED-YOUTH programme
- to develop co-operation and to prepare the building of partnerships between participants
The following concrete objectives have been set in order to reach the aims as described above:
- to explore with the participants what is the "Euro-Mediterranean dimension": historical backgrounds, philosophy, awareness raising, access to a larger public, future development…
- to extend the participants’ knowledge and understanding of Action 1 (Youth exchanges), 2 (European Voluntary Service) and partly of Action 5 (Support Measures: Job-Shadowing, Feasibility Visits)
- to develop the participants’ competencies in intercultural learning;
- to increase participants' skills in project management;
- to raise awareness and work on risks assessment;
- to share experience and knowledge among participants;
- to assist the participants in setting up EuroMed YOUTH projects;
- to negotiate with them the concrete follow-up of the course.
Profile of participants
The course is intended to be an opportunity for further training for youth workers and youth leaders who:
- are beginners in the EuroMed YOUTH Programme;
- are directly involved in youth activities with young people;
- are supported by their organisation and have green light for implementing a EuroMed YOUTH project;
- are committed to work directly with young people on issues related to Euro-Mediterranean co-operation;
- are strongly motivated to develop a project within the EuroMed YOUTH Programme as result of the course;
- are willing to pass on information, skills, knowledge and contacts acquired from this course to their colleagues;
- are motivated to undergo training and able to attend the course for its full duration;
- are able to communicate and work in at least one of the two working languages of this training course (English and French);
- are resident in a member state of the European Union or in a Mediterranean country signatory to the Barcelona Declaration.
Methodology
The course was based on the principles and practise of non-formal education and conceived to allow a learner-centred approach taking into account the needs, motivations and the experiences of participants. They took a personal responsibility for their learning process, supported by a strong group dimension and a collective approach. Participants were supported actively to work on concrete projects for future and enabled to apply and transfer what they learned to their youth work practise. Room wasgiven for regular feedback and evaluations.
Training Team
The training team was composed of trainers who all are experienced in Euro-Mediterranean youth work. The trainers represented both margins of the Mediterranean Sea.