You(th) Work it Out

The 7-day training course “ You(th) Work it Out!” , which will take place in the beginning of February 2012, wants to gather youth workers, young people, group leaders and experienced trainers in youth work specifically working with long-term unemployed youngsters. We are especially looking for partners who can share their experiences and expertise on the matter.
Within the European Year of Youth Unemployment, this project aims to increase the recognition of non-formal education, such as voluntary work and internships, as an effective tool to contribute to young people’s employability and active citizenship. Nowadays youngsters in Europe are facing hard times. In 17 counties across Europe, unemployment amongst youngsters is at a whopping 20.4%. Furthermore, research indicates that long-term unemployment leads to low self-esteem and low self-confidence among young people. Therefore it is crucial for them to gain access to the job market as soon as possible. Long-term unemployment reduces their chances of ever having a successful career and a descent life.

With this project we hope to exchange and provide tools for the mental empowerment of youngsters and to explore ways on how the Youth in Action Program can increase their competences and skills.

Being a partner organization entitles you to nominate 2-3 participants. We’d prefer at least one trainer, accompanied by youngsters of the target group. If possible we’d like to have at least one participant working with inclusion for the seminar.

Main Themes:

-Mental health
-Youth unemployment in the EU
-Tools to empower youngsters mentally and techniques to promote voluntary work
-Exploration of the possibilities of the Youth In Action activities

Profile of the participants:

To increase the impact on youngsters, we want to reach youth workers, youth leaders and experienced trainers in youth work, dealing with youngsters who are unemployed for a longer period. We put a special emphasis on people working with youth inclusion as it is really important for us to reach them since this group is most hit by the crisis.

Conditions:

The training course will take place in spring 2012, near Brussels, Belgium.
Financial support is sought through the “Youth in Action” program granting scheme. We will apply for 1st September deadline. If the project is approved costs will be covered except for 30% of the international travel costs. Organizations from ALL 27 EU member countries + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway are eligible to take part in this training.
The training will be held in English.

Becoming a partner:
Send an email to christelle.kaisala@joetz.be with:

-A brief description of your organization and how you can contribute to this project (activities, ideas, similar past experiences, etc.);
-name of project coordinator/ contact person, direct email address and phone number;
-when you include a youngster with fewer opportunities in your team, how many and what are their backgrounds;
-estimation of your travel costs from your country to Brussels
-the Part III and send it back by e-mail (scancopy as pdf or jpg, we need the signature and official stamp) and the original by ordinary post to until 1st of July:

JOETZ vzw
Christelle Kaisala
Sint-Jansstraat 32
1000 Brussels
Belgium

Partners will be selected only when we receive all necessary documents.
I would appreciate it if you could forward this document to any other organization that could be interested.

Further information:

If you need further information don’t hesitate to contact me by e-mail: christelle.kaisala@hotmail.com or by phone +32 2 515 02 44.
Our fax number: +32 2 511 07 13.

Looking forward to hear you!

All the best from Brussels,
Rudi & Christelle