Empowering Youth Work for A Sustainable Future. Focus on People and Communities

The context:

Sustainable development - development that meets the needs of the present without compromising those of the future – begins with respect for future generations. It is a comprehensive concept that seeks the balance between economic growth, social justice, and environmental protection. Furthermore, one of the core principles of the Agenda 2030 – the Sustainable Development Goals - is “Leave No One Behind”. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that different structures promote the culture of social justice, equity and inclusion and empower people to contribute to sustainable development on the local and global levels.

Youth work plays an important role in building sustainable communities. Therefore, empowering youth workers to endeavour for a more sustainable future is important.

About the training course:

This training course is part of a series of 2 training courses that aim to empower participants working with youth to mainstream sustainability principles in their youth work activities. The two courses will have a specific focus on different dimensions of sustainability.

This training course will specifically focus on the SOCIAL dimension of sustainability. Throughout the programme, we aim to empower participants to contribute actively to a more sustainable future by incorporating the aspects of social justice and inclusion into their initiatives dedicated to youth. The training will focus on the following aspects of social sustainability: social equity and justice, diversity and inclusion, democratic participation and empowerment.

Objectives of the training course:

• Discuss the role of young people and youth work in dealing with major global issues related to social justice;
• Understand the context and core principles of sustainable development and global citizenship;
• Explore the importance of taking action towards social sustainability on personal and organisational levels;
• Practice tools and methods that help young people develop their competencies and strengthen their values that contribute to more just, inclusive and socially sustainable local communities;
• Explore the role of the Erasmus+ programme towards the promotion of inclusion and social justice among young people;
• Provide a safe space for intercultural dialogue, sharing, networking and partnership building.

Draft programme (the programme is subject to change considering the background and the needs of the selected participants):

DAY 1

• Getting to know each other
• Introduction to the training course, defining expected learning outcomes
• Group building
• Global trends, young people and youth work (focus on social issues)

DAY 2

• UN Sustainable Development Goals and youth
• Global competence
• The characteristics of a just, inclusive and sustainable community
• Local realities in participants’ countries and communities

DAY 3

• Building and maintaining sustainable relationships within our communities
• Challenging our stereotypes and prejudices
• The danger of a single-story

DAY 4

• Study visit

DAY 5

• Inclusive decision making
• Developing the culture and systems of inclusion in youth organisations

DAY 6

• Inclusive practices in Erasmus+ projects
• Planning a just and inclusive action
• Networking, building potential future partnerships
• Assessment of personal learning outcomes
• Overall evaluation of the training course

Eligible countries:

• Erasmus+ programme countries (EU 27 countries, North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Türkiye);
• Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine);
• Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro).

We invite participants who:

• Are youth workers, youth leaders, or educators engaged in youth centers, youth organisations, or any entity providing diverse activities for young people;
• Are mentors, trainers, and coordinators actively involved in local and/or international youth activities outside the formal education sector;
• Have medium, minimal or no prior experience in the field of social sustainability;
• Are motivated to enhance their professional competences, aiming to incorporate social sustainability principles into their daily interactions with young people;
• Have a connection to an organisation with an Erasmus+ OID number that agrees to serve as a sending organisation for the training course (we expect the sending organisations to support participants in applying the competences acquired during the training);
• At the time of the training course are not participating in any other Erasmus+ long term project (e.g.,. Student exchange, Solidarity Corp or Erasmus Intership);
• Have a good command of English;
• Are able to participate in the entire program of the training course.

The venue: Sadauskų sodyba, Address: Jurbarko pl. 351, Antalkių km., Vilkijos sen., Kauno rajonas, LT 54217, Website: http://www.sadauskusodyba.lt/en/

Application for the training course: Application form: https://forms.gle/VmGMpZc1UzpAebVY8, The deadline for filling in the application form is the 21st of April, 23:59. We will inform the applicants about the selection results by the 26th of April.

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Global Citizens’ Academy is an accredited organisation for Erasmus+ mobility activities in the field of youth since February 2022. Our STRATEGIC GOAL for the activities implemented in the framework of the Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth is to strengthen the role of youth work in the sustainable development of society by integrating the principles, approaches and tools of education for sustainable development and global citizenship education in youth work activities on local, national and international levels.

Grant agreement no. – 2023-1-LT02-KA151-YOU-000139699