TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Liga Rudzite
LEVEL UP! was a long-term experimental training programme implemented in 2015/2016 for youth workers and youth leaders from Latvia and Estonia. The aim was to support quality youth work in Estonia/Latvia and to stimulate learning process in non-formal learning settings for all involved people by exploring and experimenting with methods and approaches of self-reflection and analysis based on the Youthpass concept.
The main focus was on:
- developing competences of youth workers by fostering better understanding of youth workers’ role as facilitators of learning;
- exploring and experimenting methods and approaches of self-reflection and analysis based on the Youthpass concept;
- adapting Youthpass concept beyond the Erasmus+ programme for youth work practice in Latvia and Estonia.
By launching this experimental training programme LEVEL UP! we intended to contribute to development of national systems for recognition of learning outcomes in youth work that would be in coherence with the European concepts of recognition of non-formal learning in youth work – specifically with Youthpass.
There were 20 participants (youth workers) from Estonia and 20 from Latvia.
The core project team was composed of two trainers from Estonia, three trainers from Latvia, one trainer from Italy/the Netherlands, representatives from the Estonian and Latvian NA's, and a representative from SALTO.
The long-term experimental programme consisted of 2 international training courses, 2 national training courses, individual practice projects in between training courses, and 1 conference at the end of the project.
We used non-formal learning methods, based around and focusing on Youthpass as a learning tool.
The training activity explored Youthpass as a tool for learning, and, even more importantly, raised the question on the place of learning in youth work. It raised the discussion on learning on a national level, involving state agencies and ministries in Estonia and Latvia.
I was one of the trainers tasked with planning and delivering international training courses, supporting participants in between the training activities in their individual projects, monitoring progress and outcomes, preparing evaluation of the activities, moderating the final conference.