Młodzi w akcji - wymiana praktyk w celu pobudzenia młodzieży do działania

Background We applied for the implementation of the project because we wanted to open the foundation to activities in a wider European dimension. We wanted the staff of partner organizations to enrich their knowledge of working with youth through the exchange of practices and experiences. For this purpose, we invited partners who have extensive experience in working with youth and respond to our needs to participate in the project. We wanted our partners to bring experience in promoting non-formal education, volunteering, developing educational programs and animation activities. And also in working with young people with fewer opportunities, of refugee origin. Thanks to the participation of a partner from Austria, we wanted to break negative stereotypes among Polish youth about refugees and youth from countries such as the Middle East. In addition, we really wanted to get acquainted with the culture and customs of other countries. Thanks to the implementation of the project, we wanted to present the Foundation and our ideas to other organizations from EU countries. We also want to pass on our knowledge and skills in the field of work and helping people with disabilities, breaking stereotypes about people with disabilities and their needs. We also wanted our employees and volunteers to strengthen their faith in their own abilities and be more confident in their actions by participating in the project. To improve their skills, they introduced new methods and forms of work. Objectives The aim of the project was to prepare the foundation's staff for activities in a wide European field. Our goals: 1. Increase of skills, exchange of experiences and methods of 17 representatives of non-formal education staff from 5 partner organizations in the field of youth education in the field of social involvement and volunteering through participation in various workshops and trainings during the 20 months of the project. 2. Increase of skills and knowledge of 23 young people in the field of key competences, in particular social and civic competences, through participation in mobility workshops and actions organized during 20 months. At the same time, the project responded to the specific objectives of the Erasmus+ program in the field of youth, namely: - supported capacity building of youth workers and practices in the field; - promote youth work and informal and non-formal learning at European, national, regional and local level; - promoted entrepreneurship, creative science and social entrepreneurship among young people; - enabled a group of young people to put ideas into practice, including through social enterprises in their places of residence. Implementation While implementing the project, the following was carried out: 1. 2 international project meetings for the project management staff. The first coordination meeting was held on June 20-21, 2021 in Poland. A total of 9 people attended the meeting. The second coordination meeting was held on May 20-21, 2022 in Austria. The meeting took place in Austria at the request and proposal of the Austrian partner. A total of 7 people attended the second coordination meeting. 2. Three short training mobilities for youth education staff were carried out. The first mobility took place in Poland on October 12-15, 2021. The subject of the training was learning and exchanging experiences in organizing volunteering and working with people with disabilities. In total, 17 people took part in the mobility. The second mobility takes place in Romania on March 7-11, 2022. During this mobility, A4Action shared its experience with partners in the field of informal education of young people, using theatrical methods, role-playing creativity. In total, 16 people took part in the mobility. The third mobility took place in Croatia on April 18-22, 2022. The host organization was Delta from Rijeka, supported by InterAktion from Austria. Delta shared with its partners knowledge in the field of working with youth using design thinking, gamification and design thinking. InterAktion, on the other hand, presented methods of working with refugee youth, presenting social inequalities related to origin, skin color, education. In total, 22 people took part in the mobility. 3. Two mixed mobilities of young people were carried out. The first mixed mobility of young people was carried out in Austria on June 24-30, 2022 in Trofaiach. In total, 28 people took part in the mobility. The second mixed mobility of young people was carried out in Poland on September 17-21, 2022 in Radocyno. In total, 24 people took part in the mobility. During the mobility, i.a. knowledge of helping people with disabilities, designing activities and space adapted to the needs of people with disabilities, knowledge of what programs young people can use, such as: European Solidarity Corps, Solidarity Projects, civic budgets, or programs and competitions of other non-governmental organizations. The program of all mobilities was in line with the assumptions of the project. All planned activities have been completed. Achievements 1. Two international project meetings were held for the project management staff. A total of 16 people attended the two meetings. 2. Three short training mobilities for youth education staff were carried out. In total, 55 people took part in all mobilities. 3. 2 Mixed mobilities of young people were carried out. A total of 52 people attended. 4. 152 hours completed. classes/workshops/educational trainings within all mobilities implemented in the project. 5. There was an exchange of methods and practices of non-formal education and experiences by the educational staff, 6. The level of knowledge and skills of 36 employees of the education staff from partner organizations (Croatia - 4 people, Romania - 9 people, Austria - 6 people, the Homini Association - 8 people, the Wyjdź z Domu Foundation - 9 people) increased in the use of innovative methods of non-formal education of youth through participation in joint workshops and exchange of experiences on, for example, coaching, theater and role-playing, teamwork, design thinking, gamification and design thinking, volunteering, working with people with disabilities. 7. The level of knowledge and skills of 42 youth representatives from partner organizations increased in planning and preparing activities, projects and products through participation in workshops and trainings organized during combined mobilities. 8. The experience of 17 employees of the organization was collected in the field of organization and implementation of youth volunteering and the exchange of volunteering organization practices in the specificity of different countries. 9. The project staff and partner organizations improved their work in an international working group. 10. The level of linguistic and interpersonal competences of the project staff, partner organizations and participating young people has improved. 11. The awareness of the cultural diversity of the Partner countries and the European society has increased. 12. Action plans for local initiatives were developed, which were implemented by young people in each of the partner countries. 13. There was an increase in the knowledge of young people in terms of opportunities that young people have using such programs as the European Solidarity Corps, Solidarity Projects, participatory budgets, or programs and competitions of other non-governmental organizations (24 people). 14. There was an increase in the level of knowledge and skills of 17 people from the staff of partner organizations and 42 young people in the field of helping people with disabilities and designing activities and space adapted to their needs and capabilities. 15. There was a significant increase in activity among young people who got involved in projects from the European Solidarity Corps for the local community. Currently, 6 projects are being implemented under the European Solidarity Corps through the Leave Home Foundation. In February this year, more projects will be submitted by young people through the Wyjdź z Domu Foundation. These young people come from Gorlice high schools. It is planned to submit another 6 projects. 16. Self-esteem and self-improvement among young people has increased, young people are more willing to implement the new methods they have learned in their projects. 17. The quality of activities carried out for and with the participation of young people has improved. 18. The cooperation between the project partners was strengthened through further exchange of information and knowledge. Partners are preparing to submit further applications under the Erasmus Program and other international competitions.