Triangle

<< Background >>Triangle aims to make the digital world more accessible to young people in (closed) institutions. Young people, but also adults and professionals, can develop better in a closed environment if they are given the opportunity to use modern communication, presentation and information techniques. This is where Triangle comes in, a secured digital education system for vocational skills for people in closed institutions. In Triangle we investigated how (young) people can develop their formal- and non-formal learning skills in a secured internet setting. Teachers and pupils learned how to use this environment and interact with practical trainers and companies for education and vocational training. Youngsters worked with assessments in combination with the portfolio of the schools in which they can support their future position in society after leaving the institution and reintegrate in society. As a person develops him/herself and learns more, (s)he will become better prepared for society. A rich and safe digital learning environment helps the process of practicing skills within closed school settings.<< Objectives >>We wanted to learn together and set up a sustainable education environment and method. The Triangle project has successfully achieved its goals through strong collaboration, trust, and commitment among all partners. From the outset, a dynamic partnership was established, fostering an environment of intensive cooperation and energy. Partners played an active role in developing their respective environments, consulting colleagues, piloting and learning and promoting the project through conferences and dissemination activities. Regular online meetings and joint work sessions ensured steady progress and alignment throughout the project. During this Erasmus Plus period we had the efforts and time to invest in the necessary blended learning platform that can support (young) people in a combination of analog and digital on their way back into society from within the institution. Such a learning platform can make the process more transparent for them and their supporters such as teachers and experience places in- and outside the institutes. It makes existing sources of information and knowledge better accessible and translate and thus place control back as much as possible with the young people themselves.<< Implementation >>PROJECT RESULT 1 and 2: The Triangle method: method development, led by Stichting 180 and IPS: Combining Stichting 180’s expertise in youth detention interventions and training of staff and with IPS’s specialization in justice and correctional services created a complementary partnership. Together, with the support of Click F1, Eduvier, Opgroeien, VOCVO and Aproximar they analyzed national contexts across partner countries and shaped the framework for People, Platform, and Program. The insights gathered provided a strong basis for the development of Triangle’s education and platform.PROJECT RESULT 3: Creating a digital education environment: brought together Aproximar, IPS, Opgroeien, the FOD Justice, and Click F1, with Defence for Children ensuring international applicability. VOCVO’s and Eduviers contributions, particularly their expertise in prison education, and FOD ICT expertise strengthened the content and ICT development process. This collaborative effort resulted in a fully functional digital platform that meets the needs of both students and staff in educational settings, including justice-related institutions.PROJECT RESULT 4: Implementation and piloting: with staff and young people actively engaged in the process. Aproximar, IPS, Opgroeien, Eduvier, VOCVO, and Click F1 led the pilots, training staff and introducing students to the Triangle platform. The intensive pilot phase ensured the platform was tested in real-world settings. PROJECT RESULT 5: Policy recommendations and strategyBy joining forces and by bringing together an extensive work and learning network at European level, we were able to havea multiplier effect on a regional, national and international level. For example: We tested and piloted in a lot off organizations. The Multiplier Events brought together policy makers and teachers in an effective and fruitful way. We gave presentations during several important conferences (for example ICPA and EPEA). By collaborating with Defence for Children Netherlands as a partner, we have been able to develop a strategy to advocate for better digital learning conditions for young people and adults in closed environments at national, regional and international levels. We can continue this in our work and network in the future.<< Results >>Through a combination of research, development, piloting, and dissemination, the Triangle project has delivered a robust and innovative platform that supports education and social development in justice-related contexts. The collaborative efforts of all partners have ensured the project’s outcomes are impactful, sustainable, and ready to drive positive change at both national and international levels.English version https://eu.trianglenow.eu/ The Netherlands https://nl.trianglenow.eu/ Belgium https://opgroeien.trianglenow.eu/Portugal https://pt.trianglenow.eu/ > PROJECT RESULT 1 ResearchWe did research on three strong instruments that helped us to set up a rich framework in Project Result 2. IPS and Stichting 180 took the lead in the research, the method and the storyline of Triangle. Stichting 180 has the knowledge of developing interventions and training in all youth detention in the Netherlands, as well as social skill projects for schools and social enterprise topics. IPS is a consulting firm specialized in the field of justice and correctional services. The knowledge of the two organizations was complimentary to each other and, with the support of Click F1, Eduvier, VOCVO and Aproximar provided a good base for analyzing the situation in the different countries and organizations and building the first contours of People, Platform, Program in Product Result 2> PROJECT RESULT 2 TRIANGLE STORYLINE: PR 2 focused on developing the Triangle methodology and storyline, aiming to create a secure, web-based educational platform that bridges systems and content. Triangle is designed for use in both formal and non-formal education settings, addressing the unique needs of institutions in varying levels of detention and care environments. The work prioritized inclusivity, flexibility, and adaptability across diverse contexts in Portugal, Belgium, and the Netherlands.- The Triangle connects different elements, Like the use of Triangle in different digital educational situations like detention and care institutions. In the netherlands and Belgium we learned about digital interaction between inside and outside closed institutions for example with learning providers and digital educators.-We Researched for visualize the competences and skills of these people at the level of EQF 1 and 2 with the help off relevant frameworks and national and European qualifications: ECVET, Europass and the 21st Century Skills and the WorkWise method of Stichting 180. We developed an assesment method used in partner organizations Eduvier in the Netherlands and Opgroeien in Belgium. -We researched 21st century skills exercises and the basic digital literacy skills domain of for example www.SLO.nl. The SLO is the national expertise center for the curriculum in the Netherlands in primary, special and secondary education in the Netherlands. The curriculum is an important foundation for good education environments. We developed a digital learning method for students in closed setting in the Netherlands and Belgium. > PROJECT RESULT 3: BUILDING THE PLATFORMThe building of the platform needed a differentiated design for different situations in detention and care institutions. -The use of Triangle have to work on different devices like Apple, Chromebooks, laptops and standard computers, so that it can operate in all kind of organizations and countries. Therefore we designed Triangle web-based and from different perspectives. This was een intensive procces. -The method of People, Platform, Program helped us to develop a holistic system.All the different characteristics elements in the platforms from its constituent parts but also together in a consistently logical navigation in the platform and an effective content system. -Training and working in a CMS system, building the secure environment and education in Triangle has led to a lot of knowledge and skills of the partners in setting up such a specific system for a specific target group.PROJECT RESULT 4 training young people and staffThe results of the professionalization of Triangle aim to teach the various parties involved to work with Triangle from theirown role. We used the Design Thinking Method in which we learned and developed at the same time. We worked on thetraining needs for more than 60 staff members like teachers, mentors and external coaches. And we worked with more than 500 (young) people and explore with them how we can get close to their intrinsic motivation to learn and develop personal skills. And how we can give them confidence in their own capabilities.- In Portugal, it was the start of digital working in the education centers approved by the General Directorate of Reinsertion and Prison Services (DGRSP). DGRSP is the body responsible for criminal prevention, execution of sentences, social reintegration and management of the educational and prison guardianship systems. It was a long process before we could pilot, it was new for the DGRSP and the staff in the closed education centers to work with digital education environments for the youngsters and with secured Chromebooks. Now at the end of the project period they support its rollout. Aproximar will continue to develop Triangle and the digital secured Chromebook system in the centers.-The Netherlands, Click F1 and Eduvier, enriched the secured Digital Vocational Education environments by developing and testing an assessment system and a digital skills method for students in closed institutes piloted with, among others, cluster 3 and 4 students. In 2025 we will insert this in all youth prisons and in some youth centers and Special Schools (VSO) in the Netherlands- Belgium Opgroeien developed an education environment for social and digital skills for their schools in the youth centers and tested this several times. - Belgium VOCVO and the FOD used Triangle for testing secured education environments in a larger project to improve the digital facilities for prisoners and the digital policy of the prison system.PROJECT RESULT 5: Policy Recommendations and dissemination To ensure the project’s impact extends beyond its conclusion, Defence for Children spearheaded dissemination and policy efforts. Updates were shared widely through newsletters and online presentations, while a comprehensive dissemination strategy engaged stakeholders at national and international levels. Final policy recommendations and strategies were developed collaboratively and presented during the Multiplying Events in April 2024 in Belgium and in September 2024 in Portugal and the Netherlands, marking the culmination of Triangle’s achievements and its potential for widespread implementation. In our project period we realized that this is part of a new trend (in Europe). On conferences and webinars and in all kind of meetings with people working for prisons and closed institutes we find each other in vision and ambition.