TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Aleksandr Post
The primary purpose of the "Youth NEED/T" project was to equip youth workers with the critical abilities and educational methods needed to support young people classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). It aimed to enable youth workers to help NEETs take steps towards eco-employment or further education/training. Specific objectives included providing youth workers with non-formal tools to understand the realities of young NEETs, recognizing the impact of the NEET situation, learning about intervention strategies, fostering eco-employability for young NEETs, understanding relevant EU programmes (like Erasmus+), and preparing participants to apply their learning in practice.
The training addressed the growing issue of youth relocating from rural areas to cities, leading to challenges in finding jobs and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It specifically focused on the significant problem of youth unemployment and the NEET situation, particularly for those facing additional barriers (geographical, gender, ethnicity, disability). It identified a need to better prepare young people with fewer opportunities for diverse professional pathways, highlighting eco-social entrepreneurship and eco-employment as potential solutions. The need was identified through discussions among partner organizations based on their practical work and the observed challenges faced by their target groups, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The project aligned with the participating organizations' goals as they all work with young people and encounter the NEET issue. It provided their youth workers with necessary skills, knowledge, and tools to better address this challenge. The training supported organizations focused on youth development, non-formal education, active citizenship, intercultural learning, employability, entrepreneurship, and social inclusion. It directly addressed their need to enhance their capacity to support NEET youth and promote pathways like eco-employment.
The main target group consisted of youth workers (aged 18+ with no upper age limit) who have decision-making capacity within their organizations and are involved in local/international activities. Participants needed experience working with youth, particularly those with fewer opportunities, familiarity with non-formal education, motivation to engage in the project, and a disposition to work further with NEETs. A basic understanding of EU concepts and NEET schemes, plus a decent level of English, was required. Personal experience as a NEET was considered an asset. Indirect target groups included the partner youth organizations, the young people (especially NEETs) they serve, and public institutions/policymakers.
The project involved participants and organizations from 7 Programme Countries: Latvia (Applicant), Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Italy, Portugal, and Spain (Partners).
The training was based on non-formal education principles and participatory approaches, adapting to participant needs. It utilized the participants' own knowledge and experience as a key resource. Specific methods included:
Icebreakers and team-building games
Project-/problem-based approaches
Lectures/presentations (kept to a minimum)
Small group, round-table, and plenary discussions
Collaborative learning/group work
Q&A sessions
Demonstrations and examples of good practice
Case studies
Simulations and role-playing
Living library
Forum theatre
Intercultural evenings
Energizers
Creative tasks
Practical sessions (hands-on practice)
Daily evaluations/Reflection time
The project explicitly used non-formal learning methods, emphasizing learning-by-doing and experience. Interactive simulations provided hands-on experience. Learning outcome reflection and documentation (e.g., via Youthpass) were integral parts.
The training aimed for participants (youth workers) to acquire/improve competences such as:
- Understanding and contextualizing the NEET issue.
- Motivating, managing, and coaching young people in NEET situations.
- Setting learning objectives and monitoring outcomes.
- Developing strategies for youth inclusion.
- Promoting active participation in local communities.
- Developing checklists/procedures for local NEET initiatives.
- Improved foreign language (English) communication.
- Enhanced cultural awareness, expression, and respect for diversity.
- Acquiring social/transversal competences like critical thinking, learning-to-learn, knowledge of youth realities in other countries, and skills for dissemination/visibility.
- Building new contacts and capacity for transnational work. The project also aimed to increase the quality of youth work in participating organizations, leading to better support for NEET youth and the development of new projects.
Success was evaluated through:
- Daily reflections and evaluations by participants in groups.
- Regular evening meetings of the project team to discuss feedback and adjust the program.
- A final evaluation session using various methods, including a printed questionnaire covering personal/intercultural learning, partnership creation, follow-up plans, and overall satisfaction.
- Observation of participant learning and project development by the trainer team.
- Team evaluation of the project and cooperation.
- Use of the official Erasmus+ feedback tool (Mobility Tool+ in this case) for individual participant reports after the activity.
- A follow-up contact (2 months post-activity) to assess the realization of planned projects and partnerships.
- Documentation and self-assessment of learning outcomes via Youthpass.
- Being dynamic and self-motivated.
- Facilitating sessions using non-formal methods (icebreakers, energizers, discussions, group exercises, cultural activities).
- Conducting debriefing sessions.
- Giving and receiving effective feedback.
- Expertise in team dynamics.
- Facilitating open discussions to clarify doubts and assist participants.
- Evaluating learning outcomes.
- Potentially contributing to programme development and fine-tuning based on participant needs.