TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Aleksandr Post
The main objective of the "Overcoming NEETs" project was to equip youth workers with the necessary educational skills and tools to effectively support young people who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEETs). The project aimed to enable youth workers to help NEETs take positive steps towards green employment opportunities or further training/education, recognizing eco-social entrepreneurship as a potential pathway.
Specific objectives for the youth workers included:
- Providing valuable non-formal educational tools to analyze the reality of young NEETs and help them realize their potential.
- Understanding the impact of the NEET situation and exploring local realities.
- Learning about interventions and support methods for early school leavers to prevent future NEET situations.
- Gaining insight into facilitating the transition from school to work, fostering eco-employability for young NEETs.
- Understanding how EU programmes (like Erasmus+) can be used to engage young people in NEET situations.
- Preparing participants to apply their learning in their daily youth work practice.
The project addressed the pressing issue of youth unemployment and the NEET phenomenon across Europe, particularly the challenges faced by disadvantaged youth (due to geographic location, gender, ethnicity, social status, or disability). It highlighted the trend of youth migration to cities and the subsequent difficulties in finding adequate employment and maintaining well-being. The project identified the need for better-prepared youth workers equipped with non-formal educational tools to support NEETs, especially in exploring pathways like eco-employment, which requires specific guidance. The need was identified through partner discussions reflecting on their daily work and the observed rise in NEET statistics, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project directly supported the goals of the participating organizations, all of whom work with youth and encounter the NEET challenge. It aligned with their missions to empower young people, promote active citizenship, build civil society, improve competencies, and support marginalized groups. The training enhanced the capacity of their youth workers by providing specific tools and strategies to address NEET situations and promote eco-employability, thereby increasing the quality and impact of their youth work.
The target group for the training course consisted of 32 youth workers from the participating organizations. Participants were required to be aged 18 or over (no upper age limit) and actively involved in youth work. The ideal profile included having a basic understanding of EU concepts and NEET issues, work experience with NEETs (as staff or volunteer), a disposition for mutual intercultural learning, good English skills, and the motivation and ability to fully participate and transfer learning outcomes. Personal experience of being a NEET was considered an asset. The project also indirectly targeted young people in NEET situations and other relevant stakeholders (NGOs, public bodies, etc.).
The project involved participants and organizations from 7 countries: Belgium (Applicant), Latvia (Host Country for the activity), Lithuania, Bulgaria, Spain, Romania, and Poland (Partners).
The training course utilized participatory approaches grounded in non-formal education principles. The methodology was designed to be flexible, participant-centered, practical, and democratic. Specific methods included:
- Icebreakers, energizers, and team-building games.
- Project-based and problem-based learning approaches.
- Lectures/presentations (used minimally).
- Discussions (small group, round-table, plenary).
- Collaborative learning in group work.
- Q&A sessions.
- Demonstrations and sharing examples of good practice.
- Case studies.
- Simulations and role-playing.
- Living library and forum theatre.
- Intercultural evenings.
- Creative tasks.
- Practical sessions (hands-on practice).
- Daily evaluations ("Reflection time", "Comfy Group").
The training emphasized active participation, peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, and the practical application of methods relevant to working with NEETs. Reflection and documentation via Youthpass were integral.
The training aimed for participants (youth workers) to:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the NEET situation, its impact, and risk factors.
- Learn specific non-formal education tools and methods applicable to working with NEETs.
- Develop skills to motivate, manage, and coach young people facing NEET situations.
- Acquire competences in fostering eco-employability and guiding transitions from school to work.
- Learn about relevant EU support programmes for NEETs.
- Develop strategies for inclusion and preventing early school leaving.
- Create checklists and procedures for local NEET initiatives.
- Improve communication (English), intercultural competence, critical thinking, learning-to-learn, and dissemination skills.
- Build a network with peers from other European countries for future collaboration. The project anticipated improved quality in youth work practices within partner organizations, increased capacity to support NEETs, and the development of follow-up projects.
Success was evaluated through a combination of methods:
- Daily reflection and evaluation sessions (e.g., "Reflection time", "Comfy Group") allowing for immediate feedback and program adaptation.
- A final evaluation session with participant reflections and a printed questionnaire assessing personal learning, intercultural learning, partnership development, follow-up plans, and overall satisfaction.
- Observation by the trainer team of participant learning and project development.
- Formal team evaluation of the project and cooperation.
- Use of the official Erasmus+ feedback tool (Mobility Tool+) for individual participant reports.
- A 2-month post-activity follow-up to track the implementation of follow-up projects and sustained partnerships.
- Use of Youthpass for self-assessment and recognition of learning outcomes.
- Co-designing and delivering sessions based on the program (covering topics like understanding NEETs, risk factors, pathways to employment, eco-employability, EU support programmes).
- Implementing a variety of non-formal education methods suitable for youth workers.
- Facilitating group discussions, activities, and simulations.
- Supporting participants' reflection on their learning process and competence development (including Youthpass).
- Contributing your specific expertise (e.g., in NEET issues, eco-social entrepreneurship, NFE methods).
- Participating in daily team meetings for planning and evaluation.
- Helping create a dynamic, intercultural, and effective learning environment.