EVS Partnership Building East West Dialogues

East-West Dialogues is a partnership building and EVS quality improvement training which is supported by a grant from the Dutch Erasmus+ National Agency. The training aims at setting up high quality EVS projects in which partners from Western European, Eastern European and partner countries cooperate. This intensive networking programme will involve participants from 11 different countries. Participants will not only get to know each other, but also receive hands-on advice on improving EVS project management, volunteer recruitment and preparation, expectation management and crisis resolution. The programme is intended for both hosting and sending/coordinating organizations. During the programme, participants will together develop a Quality Assurance Toolbox, consisting of practical tools and templates for drafting partnership agreements, activity agreements, recruitment of volunteers, mediation, mentoring and evaluating EVS projects. Experienced application reviewers will give key advice on drafting the best applications with the highest chance of success. Participants will be selected with the aim of enhancing and supporting the cooperation between organisations from Programme Countries and Eastern Partnership countries. In addition the training wants to stimulate the creation of new project ideas and the development of activities quality. Objectives •To provide information about the Erasmus + Programme in the field of youth and especially Key Action 1- Youth exchanges. •To get to know possibilities of cooperation between Programme Countries and Eastern Partnership countries within the Erasmus + Programme. •To better understand youth exchange project management. •To develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to organise a successful youth exchange with a special focus on youth participation. •To bring together people working with youngsters in order to create new project ideas of youth exchanges within Key Action 1 of the Erasmus + Programme. Participants This training course brings together 28 EVS project managers and/or tutors working for accredited EVS organisations. Participants come from Programme Countries and Eastern Partnership countries. Applicants should fulfill the following criteria: • represent an EVS accredited organization • have some experience with Erasmus+ projects and EVS projects in particular. • have some experience in youth work/local youth projects in their country; • are ready to improve and expand their activities in the frame of EVS. • have good English language communication skills (level B1 or higher) Programme elements 3-days training course: • Erasmus + Programme presentation with special focus on cooperation with EaP countries within Key Action 1 projects; • How to recruit motivated participants • How to involve participants in the shaping of project activities? • Working with youngsters who are not in employment or education. Giving marginalized groups a chance in EVS; • EVS Project Management and application writing; • Intercultural learning in EVS; • Dissemination & project evaluation; • Creating equal and sustainable parterships During our TC we will use non-formal education methods encouraging participants to active participation and planning future projects. 8 December 2016 is arrival day 9 December 2016 - Programme Day 1: introduction, partnership building, volunteer recruitment & preparation, expectation management, application writing, visit to EVS projects in the Utrecht and Amersfoort area 10 December 2016 - Programme Day 2: Quality improvement of EVS, starting to work on the tool box, evening programme in Soest 11 December 2016 - Programme Day 3: Dissemination & evaluation, Finishing the tool box, evaluation of the partnership building training, departure day (after 17.00h).