Supporting Disadvantaged Children to Discover Their Strengths and Thrive in Life

<< Background >>The project was created to respond to the growing need for practical tools that help disadvantaged young people develop essential soft skills, build confidence and discover their strengths. Many schools and youth organisations reported difficulties engaging learners who struggle with traditional teaching methods or come from challenging social backgrounds. At the same time, educators and youth workers expressed the need for clear, easy-to-use methodologies that can make learning more inclusive, interactive and motivating. The project aimed to address both needs by introducing experiential learning and gamification into youth development and by offering educators a structured way to apply these methods. The partners decided to work together because they shared a common interest in improving youth participation, strengthening key competences and supporting better transitions into education, training or employment.<< Objectives >>The project activities included the creation of two main tools: the Self-development Course for young people and the Trainer’s Package for educators. Partners designed and tested 10 experiential learning modules, prepared a Trainer’s Handbook and produced an explanatory video on the innovative Experiential Education Method (EEM). Two international trainings were organised: one in Prague for testing and refining the youth course, and another in Athens to train educators in using the Trainer’s Package. National pilot sessions were carried out in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece and Spain, involving more than 200 young people and 58 educators. Feedback was collected through surveys, observation forms and partner discussions, leading to improvements in both tools. The project also included translation, dissemination and ongoing communication between partners to ensure quality and consistency.<< Implementation >>The project activities included the creation of two main tools: the Self-development Course for young people and the Trainer’s Package for educators. Partners designed and tested 10 experiential learning modules, prepared a Trainer’s Handbook and produced an explanatory video on the innovative Experiential Education Method (EEM). Two international trainings were organised: one in Prague for testing and refining the youth course, and another in Athens to train educators in using the Trainer’s Package. National pilot sessions were carried out in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece and Spain, involving more than 200 young people and 58 educators. Feedback was collected through surveys, observation forms and partner discussions, leading to improvements in both tools. The project also included translation, dissemination and ongoing communication between partners to ensure quality and consistency.<< Results >>The project resulted in two complete, practical and multilingual tools: the Self-development Course “On My Feet” and the Trainer’s Handbook “Empowering Youth through Experiential Learning,” supported by an explanatory video on the innovative Experiential Education Method (EEM). These resources were piloted and validated in all four partner countries. The course helped young people significantly improve their communication, teamwork, confidence and self-awareness, while educators reported higher motivation and engagement among learners. The Trainer’s Package increased educators’ understanding and confidence in applying experiential learning. Across all pilots, satisfaction levels were high. The results are adaptable, easy to use and ready for long-term application in schools, VET centres, youth organisations and non-formal learning settings.