Partnership building activity for NEET organisations aiming for Erasmus+ small-scale partnership projects in youth sector

A partnership building activity aims to build partnerships: to find the best possible ideas that complement each other and to find synergies. In this activity you will get to know other youth workers, what are their values, their strengths and what kind of needs they might have in their work with NEETs. We expect to match you with possible project partners who share common values and goals for a Erasmus+ small-scale partnership project. After finding potential partners, we will have sessions to brainstorm and develop concrete project ideas. The activities include working in smaller groups and sometimes with the whole group and giving presentations. The activity will also include a short study visit to a Finnish organisation working with NEETs and some presentations from guest experts.

You should work in an organisation that works actively with young people in a NEET situation and that is eligible to apply for Erasmus+ small-scale partnership (KA210-YOU) projects. Small-sсale partnerships projects are aiming for international co-operation, learning, increasing the quality of youth work and building capacities of youth workers and organisations. This project type is especially suitable for organisations who are new to Erasmus+ programme. You can read more about small-scale partnerships from the Erasmus+ Programme Guide.

We expect (but cannot guarantee) that you will go home with one or more new partners for a small-scale partnership project, an idea what the project should be about, and a timeline for further cooperation.

Target group

This partnership building activity is meant for youth workers who work with NEETs, especially with “school drop outs”. In order to apply and to be selected, you must have an organization where you work with young people. Your work can be to prevent "drop out" situations or to support NEETs to find their way back to school or to work etc. Your main target group is about 15-20 years old young people, but it could be also more or less (between 13-30 years). Suitable profiles of participants include for example youth workers working in municipalities and NGOs, social youth workers, outreach youth workers, school youth workers, youth work planning officers, project managers etc.

We will prioritize newcomer organisations or those who are less experienced with Erasmus+. We will prioritise participants coming from the following countries (these countries belong to the Strategic Patnership for Inclusion NEET strand and therefore are prioritised): Austria, Belgium-Flanders, Belgium-German, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Sweden. If you come from another EU or Programme country, you can apply, but participants coming from the listed countries are prioritised.

You must be motivated to network and find potential partners and be prepared to take part in an international project in the future. You can apply alone, or together with a colleague, especially if you need support with English language, which will be the working language.

Practicalities

The partnership building activity will take place in Helsinki, Finland. Accommodation and meals are organized in the same hotel where the activities will also take place. The programme also includes an inspirational study visit in Helsinki.

If you will be selected to take part, you will receive an e-mail with more information about how to organize your travel, information about where we will stay, what to bring, the programme etc. You can find a draft of the programme in the attachments. Note that minor changes can still happen.

You should be able to arrive to Helsinki on Monday the 9th of September. We will start with a common dinner on Monday evening. The programme lasts until late Thursday, so traveling back should take place on Friday 13th of September.

Small steps for a better world

In our activities we support the principle of a safer space, where no one is discriminated or bullied because of their background or person. We want you to respect the same principle.

We want to enable the participation of people with all kinds of abilities. Our premises are accessible. Knowing your individual needs will help us to provide the needed support.

We also strive to make the world a little bit greener. This is why we are primarily choosing vegetarian or otherwise sustainable diets whenever possible. We also encourage you to consider travelling to Helsinki on land as much as possible.