VolunTECHing

<< Background >>The main motivation behind this project, was the fact that the spread of Covid 19 during 2020 supposed many challenges. Many citizens were forced to stay at home doing things like working, shopping or informing themselves online for the first time in their lives. Unfortunately, statistical data showed this was not an easy task for 44% of the Europeans, as they did not have basic digital skills. The consequent economic crisis also led to many of these citizens losing their jobs, which was particularly worrying considering that it was expected that 9 out of 10 jobs would require digital skills in the near future. Among our partner group we discovered that, at least, the following common weaknesses and needs should be addressed through our project: - The lack of knowledge and teaching skills amongst staff/volunteers needed for teaching digital literacy to adults – The lack of basic digital skills among adults with lower education level – The lack of awareness on the added value of volunteering – The need of stimulating active participation among young and old and increasing self-reliance.<< Objectives >>By implementing the project we wanted to achieve the following goals: - To recollect best practices and methodologies related to teaching digital literacy to adults – To provide digital literacy to adult learners over 50 who have not completed any kind of higher education – To promote volunteering and participation among all groups of age – To promote intergenerational dialogue<< Implementation >>We have implemented the following main project activities: - Research and exchange of good practices, followed by an analysis on local target’s needs that would be the base of the structure of the program – Two international Joint Staff Events with professionals/volunteers from each partner country (to collect all different insights and inputs, learn from each other’s approaches and elaborate on the final “VolunTECHing Guide”) – Local educative volunteering program on digital literacy for adults in each partner country, connecting young people/volunteers with adults/elderly – Creation and finalization of the Guide of Best Practices – Awareness-raising actions and bringing all project activities to the attention through the VolunTECHing Facebook page.<< Results >>The project has delivered the following specific results: - Two international staff events were conducted where 12 professionals (3 per partner country) gathered to commonly learn more about teaching digital literacy to adults and to discuss how to promote volunteering in general and create awareness on the benefits of such actions – Three local workshops with volunteers were held in each partner country to promote volunteering and participation - Each partner has organized a local volunteering program carried out by young people for adult learners. This initiative lasted for 3 months in total, organizing several classes per week. The lessons provided the adult participants with enough competences and skills to work, entertain and inform themselves and communicate with others using technological devices, which are the basis of digital literacy – One “Guide of Best Practices” has been realized, with the aim to create more awareness on the topic, as well as to promote volunteering and to strengthen organizations and professionals in the field of digital literacy.