TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Heleri Alles
Youth in Action 3.1.2 Study Visit "Discover Youth Work in South-Estonia!" brought together 27 youth workers from 8 countries: programme countries: Estonia, Poland, Italy and Portugal and 4 South-East Europe countries: Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania. Project lasted 19.01-28.01.2014 and took place in Vidrike, with various visits around Põlva, Tartu and Valga county.
The objectives of the study visit were:
- To understand the youth work reality in South-Estonia
- To explore the use of formal and non-formal education in South-Estonia
- to exchange experiences and good practices between youth workers from rural areas
- to create opportunities for international partnerships for youth, youth workers and youth organizations in particular in rural areas of South Estonia
- to create partnerships and new links between South-East Europe and European Union countries with focus on international youth exchanges and EVS projects
- to promote use of non-formal education opportunities in rural areas
- to develop new projects in framework of Youth in Action programme
Youth in Action 3.1.2 Study Visit "Discover Youth Work in South-Estonia!" brought together 27 youth workers from 8 countries: programme countries: Estonia, Poland, Italy and Portugal and 4 South-East Europe countries: Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania. Study visit was facilitated by international team of trainers from Estonia and Macedonia and supported by organizing team from Estonia.
The activities included visits to different youth organizations, schools, local governements, youth centres in Valga and Põlva county, but also workshops and other events. All methods used were non-formal, such as work in groups, roleplays, study visits, open space etc.
One of our main aims we achieved was to create more opportunities for youth with fewer opportunities in Põlva and Valga county and in similar areas in partner countries. We brought together people working with youth who exchanged good experiences, learnt from good practices and initiated new projects.
We also raised awareness about youth work realities in different cultural contexts and shared positive examples form Estonia and from participating countries. We created new projects and partnerships which became a cornerstone for strong network and ongoing exchange of good practices and multiplier effect. We mapped down our common challenges in youth work on European level and got to know the local realities in EU countries and in South-East Europe. Working in intercultural groups increased the knowledge of other cultures and by including Estonian youngsters in our activities we supported their active participation as they joined in in creating new project ideas.
We achieved following aims:
• Participants understood the youth work reality in South-Estonia, particularly in Valga, Põlva and Tartu county
• Participants explored the use of formal and non-formal education in South-Estonia
• Participants from rural areas of EU countries and non-EU countries exchanged experiences and good practices
• Participants created new partnerships with local Estonian organizations from rural areas to include young people with fewer opportunities.
• Partnerships and new links between South-East Europe and European Union countries with focus on international youth exchanges and EVS projects were created
• Project promoted use of non-formal education opportunities in rural areas
• Project developed new projects in framework of Erasmus+
I was a trainer and organizer of the 8 days training course. I was a full time trainer, and also responsible for preparation, evaluation and follow-up.