You(th)Connect

Themes:

• Understanding and promoting inclusion and diversity within youth work practices.
• Exploring the challenges and barriers to inclusion and how they relate to youth work, especially focusing on underage youth with fewer opportunities.
• Designing and drafting youth exchange projects that involve youth with fewer opportunities.
• Sharing good practices for inclusion and empowerment to enhance the quality and inclusivity of youth exchanges.
• Using non-formal education methods to foster personal development, social inclusion, and active citizenship among young people.
• Enhancing youth workers' skills in managing youth exchange projects with minors, including understanding Erasmus+ funding opportunities, project design, and implementation strategies.
• Emphasizing the importance of effective teamwork, collaboration, and resource management in successful project development.

The overall aim of the project is to enhance the capacities of youth workers and organizations in creating inclusive, empowering, and effective youth exchange projects that address the needs of (underage) youth with fewer opportunities. Our project seeks to promote diversity and inclusion in youth work, build strong international partnerships, and foster a collaborative network of youth organizations dedicated to supporting young people through non-formal education methods and cross-cultural understanding.

By the end of the project, participants will:

• Gain a deeper understanding of inclusion, diversity, and empowerment in youth work and how to incorporate these principles into youth exchange projects under Erasmus+ programme.
• Develop practical skills in designing, planning, and implementing youth exchange projects that are inclusive and address the needs of  youth with fewer opportunities.
• Establish international partnerships and create a network of youth organizations to collaborate on future youth exchange projects.
• Enhance their ability to use non-formal education methods to engage young people, promote active citizenship, and foster social inclusion.
• Create concrete action plans for applying their learning in their daily work and within their organizations, as well as disseminating the outcomes locally and at the European level.
• Prepare for Youthpass certification, including articulating their learning outcomes and how these contribute to their personal and professional development as youth workers.

The objectives of the Partnership Building Activity are:

• To understand the principles of inclusion and diversity in youth work and how these can be integrated into youth exchange projects to ensure they are accessible to all, including youth with fewer opportunities.
• To enhance participants' knowledge of Erasmus+ programs and the opportunities they provide for funding and implementing inclusive youth exchange projects.
• To develop practical skills in project management, including the design, planning, budgeting, and implementation of youth exchange projects that focus on social inclusion and empowerment.
• To foster collaboration and partnership-building skills among participants, enabling them to effectively network with other youth organizations and create sustainable international partnerships for future projects.
• To equip participants with non-formal education methods and tools that can be used to engage young people, foster their personal and social development, and promote active citizenship.
• To cultivate reflective practices through creative and interactive methods, allowing participants to evaluate their learning experiences and continuously improve their youth work practices.
• To empower participants to create action plans and strategies for applying their new knowledge and skills in their local contexts, enhancing the impact of youth work in their communities.

The methodology of the PBA:

The methodology of our Partnership Building Activity (PBA) focuses on interactive, experiential, and collaborative learning methods designed to build competencies in youth work and foster international partnerships. Our methodology ensures a comprehensive learning experience that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application, fostering a collaborative environment conducive to skill-building and international partnership development. This will be lead by an experienced international trainers’ team and will be learner-centred.

Group building exercises: Activities like "Human Knot" and "Silent Line-Up" are used to build trust, enhance communication, and foster teamwork among participants from diverse backgrounds. These exercises create a foundation for collaboration by encouraging participants to solve problems together and understand different perspectives.

Project development simulations: Participants engage in hands-on simulations to draft youth exchange project proposals. These sessions involve using digital tools like Padlet to collaboratively design projects, address the needs of young people with fewer opportunities, and understand the application process for Erasmus+ funding. Trainers provide real-time feedback and guidance to improve project designs.

Good practice sharing sessions: Participants present successful youth work practices from their organizations, focusing on inclusion and empowerment strategies. This sharing is structured through presentations and group discussions, where participants learn to adapt these practices to their own contexts and enhance their youth exchange projects.

Thematic workshops: Sessions like "Understanding inclusion and diversity in youth work" and "Exploring Youth Goal 3 - Inclusive Societies" use specific methods such as Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. These workshops encourage participants to analyze key concepts from multiple perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of inclusion, diversity, and youth empowerment.

Reflective learning activities: Daily reflection sessions, such as artistic reflections and story circles, are integrated into our schedule. Participants use creative methods to reflect on their experiences and learnings, facilitating personal growth and enhancing their ability to apply new knowledge and skills in their work.

Partnership and networking opportunities: Events like the NGO Market with local organizations and speed-dating sessions are organized to facilitate networking and partnership building. Participants have structured opportunities to present their organizations, discuss potential collaborations, and establish agreements for future youth exchange projects.

Cultural and community engagement: Activities such as intercultural evenings, a fairytale evening with locals, and a project visit to local NGOs provide opportunities for cultural exchange and practical learning. These sessions help participants understand the local context of youth work, promoting cultural sensitivity and inclusion in their practices.

Action planning: Participants also develop personal and group action plans to implement their learnings and finalize partnership agreements for future projects.

Who can participate in the PBA:

2 Youth workers on behalf of each partner who:

• are actively involved in youth work and have experience working with (underage) young people, especially those with fewer opportunities.
• have experiences at least in one international youth exchange under Erasmus+ programme as a previous participant, group leader, coordinator, etc.
• should be interested in expanding their international networks and learning about best practices in European youth work.
• work directly with youth with fewer opportunities and are interested in enhancing their skills in inclusion and diversity.
• are eligible to receive Erasmus+ funding for youth exchange projects or already accredited to participate or host one.
• ready to take part in the whole PBA,
• to be able to communicate English language.

Eligible countries: EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme

Applicant organisation:  YOPA, Hungary

If you have any question, you can reach us by e-mail: yopa@yopa.hu