Development opportunities for youth workers by implementing the innovative methods for learning

<< Background >>As the consortium of 5 organizations: V-Systems (coordinator, Poland), Europejski Dom Spotkan - Fundacja Nowy Staw (Poland), ASOCIACIJA AKTYVISTAI (Lithuania), V.E.M. srls (Italy), EduPlus - European Centre for Education and Skills Development (Portugal) and EDITC LIMITED (Cyprus), we applied for the Opp4Youth project to address youth workers' challenges in enhancing their competencies and balancing personal and professional improvement. Based on 1) EU’s documents, incl. the common framework for the further development of youth work, the report by the Contact Committee of European Union Supreme Audit Institutions (Apr. 2018), “Youth Work Report”; 2) EUROSTAT stats on the youth unemployment (Jan. 2021) in partner countries, we identified specific needs and existing gaps that were the lack of clear learning opportunities and incomplete training paths. Another challenge was the COVID-19 pandemic, which increased youth unemployment, particularly in Italy and Cyprus. So, we decided to support youth workers' personal and professional development to create sustainable impacts on young people by providing them with better tools, training, and clear learning paths to improve their competencies. << Objectives >>We set the following objectives:1) to reduce the gap between the personal and professional needs of youth workers, enabling them to pursue more fulfilling careers2) to develop innovative approaches (methodologies, digital tools, and practices) for the personal and professional development of the youth workers to serve the youth better, especially the marginalized ones3) to integrate innovative approaches (like positive psychology, education, and eco-centric development) in the professionalization of youth workers for better services for disadvantaged youth, primarily4) to increase the ongoing support and lifelong learning for the personal and professional development of the youth workers.To summarize, the project focused on enhancing ongoing support for youth workers, ensuring they continue to grow personally and professionally, promoting lifelong learning, and ultimately contributing to reducing unemployment in the European Union.As youth workers, we understood teachers, mentors, tutors, and managers in companies (1st target group). As a youth, by EC’s definition, young adults aged 18-29 y.o. (2nd t.g.). The 3rd t.g includes other stakeholders: companies, social economy organizations, and local/regional/national authorities<< Implementation >>The project was originally planned for 24 months from Feb. 1, 2022, but was non-costly extended by 6 mo. and lasted until July 31, 2024. In that time, we implemented the following activities:1) PM: we planned activities and resources for each result, assigned tasks and responsibilities; coordinated, monitored, and evaluated our work; distributed information about activities and results; organized 4 multiplier events in Lithuania, Poland, Cyprus, Portugal, and a final conference in Italy; EduPlus developed the website (opp4youth.eu) and EDITC the platform (opp4youth.projectsgallery.eu); the external evaluator ran 2 audits. 2) Results development: RES1: This result was waived, so the consortium decided to derive the data on youth workers’ personal and professional development areas from another V-Systems project, Begin (aimed at improving students’ and graduates’ transversal skills). RES2 (leader: VEM): we created, tested (during a workshop in Cyprus), refined, and digitized the Methodology for personal and professional development based on non-formal learning. RES3 (leader: EDITC): we created, tested (during a workshop in Portugal), refined, and digitized tools for youth workers' personal and professional development.<< Results >>The concrete outputs and results were the following:RES1: The research was not completed due to a waived budget. However, V-S developed a questionnaire for all partners to indicate the most critical skills needed by youth workers (based on another V-S project, Begin). RES2: Based on survey findings, the consortium incorporated into the Methodology document (for youth workers) descriptions of the 6 most critical skills: leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability, creativity, data literacy, and critical thinking. Then, we added another 6: decision-making, networking, teamwork, communication, adaptability, acceptance of change, and self-presentation.RES3: We created the e-learning courses on the 12 skills mentioned above. Each course includes a virtually displayed presentation, quizzes, and recommended experiential exercises/ videos/ articles. The e-learning platform and project website were developed. RES2 and RES3 were tested during 2 LTT workshops, revised, uploaded to the platform, and promoted on the website and on social media.Due to overall savings, V-S developed “Supplementary learning material for non-EU youth working in EU Countries,” which includes 4 additional courses with instructions.