Project Lab: Tandem

Do you already have a project idea and international partners for an Erasmus+ KA1 or KA2 project? Are you working with young people with fewer opportunities? Then the Project Lab Tandem is for you!
Over three intensive days (3-5 November), you'll develop your project with your partners, gain insights from practical workshops, receive feedback from National Agency experts, and benefit from mentoring by experienced trainers. You'll also connect with peers, exchange ideas, and strengthen your project proposal. Online kick-off meeting for selected participants on 19th of October from 17:00 to 18:00 CET.  

Who can apply?
To participate in this programme, you must meet the following requirements:

• Apply together with at least one partner organisation from another country. Each organisation must submit its own application separately.
• At least one of the partner organisations must work with young people who have fewer opportunities. This includes, but is not limited to, young people with: migration or refugee backgrounds, disabilities or diverse abilities, neurodiverse experiences, LGBTQI+ identities, ethnic or racial minority backgrounds, limited access to learning and education opportunities; challenging socio-economic circumstances, etc.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Be actively involved in a youth organisation, either as a paid staff member or as a volunteer, in a role relevant to youth work.
• Be able to participate in English. The programme will be conducted in English, so participants should feel comfortable communicating their ideas, collaborating with others, and developing their project in English.

 
The Project Lab is NOT:
The Project Lab is not a space to find new partners, decide whether you want to cooperate, or explore project topics from scratch. It is designed for existing partnerships that already have a project idea and are working with young people with fewer opportunities in their local communities.
 
Objectives
During the project LAB, we will:

• offer you space & time to work on your project in a focused way in your pre-existing partner organisation's team;
• provide you with self-directed learning challenges that will guide you through the process;
• offer workshops on topics that help you develop your project and your youth worker competences;
• provide supportive feedback in peer groups, mentoring and problem-solving sessions;
• give feedback from NAs perspective;
• keep a let's do it vibe: we want you to succeed and will create the atmosphere to keep you motivated.

Methods and methodology
The Project Lab Tandem will offer you a frame, space and support. We will use non-formal education principles to learn together. The methods we use are based on the needs of learners and the learning process; voluntary participation, inclusive and accessible facilitation; working in groups and with peers; engaging mind, body and emotions.
If you find yourself in need of more support and structure, we will be there for you with thematic workshops that support the project planning process; support, coaching and feedback sessions; advice from NA officers; best practices to learn from, etc.
 
What you need to bring:

• a clear project idea;
• Your project team, including at least one partner organisation that works directly with young people with fewer opportunities.
• the commitment to apply in spring 2027 deadline.

Composition of the team
Vika Matuzaite is a non-formal education trainer, youth worker and supporter as well as a community builder with many years of experience. Creating spaces of any size for genuine dialogue, mutual support, care and empathy building is a driving force. Vika`s work is rooted in human rights education and working with queer youth is one of her focus topics. 
Manina Ott trainer and organisational developer with a focus on diversity and anti-discrimination. Working full time in youth work and non-formal education for more than 12 years, especially on the topics of participation, empowerment and (forced) migration. She loves developing new ideas and transforming them into (project) realities especially in international teams, especially when they are challenging the “normal”.
Henk Persyn:  Social worker, youth worker, active in the European youth field for more than 25 years. Focus on inclusion projects with youth facing social- economic obstacles and people with a disability.  A lot of experience on developing youth exchanges and in the frame of the European Solidarity Corps, for and with young people with fewer opportunities.
 
Accessibility
Participants will be accommodated in single rooms. The hotel can provide vegetarian, vegan, lactose-free, and gluten-free meal options. The venue is accessible for wheelchair users. If you require additional support, such as an accessible room, sign language interpretation, a personal assistant, a guide dog, or any other accommodation, we will do our best to meet your needs. After the selection process, we will contact all participants to discuss any access or support requirements.