Step In

Considering the present situation of Meda countries - the absence of official National Coordinators - Salto Youth EuroMed, with the financial support of some National Agencies, will cover travel costs for Meda particpants. EU candidates instead will deal with their own National Agencies for travel arrangements, while boarding-lodging costs will be covered by the hosting national structure. Last but not least Salto Youth EuroMed will take care of trainers'fees and expenses. So, we encourage MEDA candidates to submit their "online" application forms as well as the one downloadable here after to the Salto Youth EuroMed Resouce Centre charged exceptionally of the Meda participants' selection. EU candidates will simply fill in their "online" application forms!

Course Description

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).

Next course:

This course took place, organised in cooperation with the Slovakian National Agency for the YOUTH programme, from February 26th (arrival between 16:00-20:00) - March 5th , 2006 (departure from 9:00 on) in Casta near Bratislava (Slovakia).

Organisational Frame:

Please, note that your accommodation will be covered only for these dates. If you arrive earlier or stay longer it will be at your own expenses.

Working languages will be English and French.
Participation is limited to 30 participants (15 MEDA; 15 UE)

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
• to 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 will be based on the principles and practise of non-formal education and is conceived to allow a learner-centred approach taking into account the needs, motivations and the experiences of participants. They need to take a personal responsibility for their learning process, supported by a strong group dimension and a collective approach. Participants will be supported actively to work on concrete projects for future and enabled to apply and transfer what they learned to their youth work practise. Room will be given for regular feedback and evaluations.

Programme Elements

The course programme will address the following key modules (the modules are described by a set of issues, which are indicative and not exhaustive and will be developed further):

1. What does mean "EuroMed dimension"?
2. Intercultural learning in a Euro-Mediterranean context;
3. Management of youth projects;
4. Technical and educational knowledge of the EuroMed YOUTH programme, in particular Actions 1 and 2;
5. Exchanging and sharing working experiences from participants;
6. Concrete work on projects, feedback & suggestions from one another;
7. Overall evaluation of the course;
8. Suggestions for follow-up

Training Team

The training team will consist of trainers who all are experienced in Euro-Mediterranean youth work. Trainers represent both sides of the Mediterranean Sea.

Application Procedure and Selection of Participants Please read carefully!!

All candidates must apply by using the available on our website. Applications should be sent to their National Agency (for EU member states) or Salto Youth EuroMed RC (for MEDA countries) by 06/01/06 AT THE LATEST. Participants from Meda-countries, if they have a flight through Vienna, they need to have a Schenghen visa. Only completely filled in application forms can be accepted. Selection will be based upon them and done by the relevant National Agency or National Coordinator.
SALTO-YOUTH EuroMed Resource Centre will inform selected candidates at the latest by 13/01/06 so that those who need is, can begin their visa application procedures. Other candidates will be informed subsequently. The accepted candidates will receive the course documentation directly.
The successful applicants are reminded that once a candidate has been placed on the final list, they must make every effort to attend the course for its full duration. If, for any exceptional reason, they are unable to take up the offer of a place, they must inform SALTO-YOUTH EuroMed Resource Centre immediately. Replacements will be taken from the waiting list.