YOUth with migrant dropout tackling: CApacity buildiNg

We applied for this project with a clear purpose: to address the urgent need for better cross-sectoral collaboration in supporting youth with migrant backgrounds at risk of dropping out of school....

The project aimed to modernize education and education policies in response to migrant youth dropout and social exclusion challenges. Objectives included: Enhanced Collaboration: Establishing synergies with local organizations outside education to improve support networks for migrant youth, involving families and external stakeholders. Diversified Funding: Securing non-EU funds for sustainable education, training, and youth initiatives targeting migrant youth challenges. Professional Excellence: Elevating project quality and management competences for impactful EU/international projects, contributing to improved responses at those levels. In essence, our project sought comprehensive solutions by fostering collaboration, diversifying funding, and elevating project standards for lasting change.

The YOUCAN project undertook a series of strategic activities, each meticulously designed to address the challenges of migrant youth school dropout and social exclusion. Our activities were comprehensive and aimed to fulfill our project's objectives. Here is an overview of the activities we implemented: Transnational Meetings (3 in Total): Central to our project's success were three transnational meetings. These meetings provided crucial opportunities for consortium members to convene, discuss progress, and ensure alignment with our objectives. They served as vital checkpoints for monitoring and refining our activities throughout the project duration. Organization to Organization (O2O) Tailored Trainings (6 Sessions): We organized six O2O tailored trainings, a key element of our capacity-building strategy. These training sessions facilitated participant engagement in week-long training experiences at partner organizations within the consortium. By directly participating in each other's training environments, we aimed to strengthen cooperation with local organizations and partners. Furthermore, these sessions aimed to increase financial resource allocation beyond EU funds and elevate the quality of project management skills, particularly at the EU/international level. 2 Project Results: YOUCAN Best Practices Publication: This publication was a tangible result of our project. It showcased best practices drawn from projects that focused on cross-sectoral collaboration to address migrant youth school dropout. Our intention was to disseminate these insights to a wider audience for the betterment of similar initiatives. YOUCAN Toolkit Publication: Our toolkit publication was a practical resource aimed at enhancing the competencies of participating organization members. It provided clear guidance on elevating project quality, bolstering professionalism, and mastering project cycle management for EU/international endeavors. Learning, Teaching, Training Event (in Spain): A dedicated learning, teaching, and training event was organized to facilitate participants' comprehensive understanding and effective use of the YOUCAN toolkit. This event equipped participants with practical skills for navigating the complexities of project management in EU and international contexts. Local Multiplier Events (Belgium, 2 events Spain, Portugal, 2 events in Italy): Throughout the project's lifecycle, we hosted six local multiplier events. These events served as pivotal dissemination platforms, allowing us to share project activities and outcomes within local communities. By engaging stakeholders at the grassroots level, we aimed to maximize the impact of our project on a local scale. Final Multiplier Event (Greece): Our project culminated in a final multiplier event. This significant gathering served as the capstone of our efforts, providing a comprehensive platform to showcase the full spectrum of project activities and results. The event aimed to reach a wider audience, disseminating our achievements and maximizing the project's overall impact. In conclusion, the YOUCAN project implemented a multifaceted array of activities that included transnational meetings, tailored trainings, result publications, learning events, local multiplier events, and a final dissemination event. Each activity was meticulously structured to contribute to our overarching goal of addressing migrant youth school dropout and promoting social inclusion.

The YOUCAN project was conceived with a clear vision of driving concrete and transformative outcomes, each strategically designed to reinforce the capabilities of our partnership and advance our objectives. At the heart of our expectations were a series of tangible outputs and lasting impacts that would reshape cross-border collaboration, elevate project management competencies, and foster profound change. Here's an in-depth overview of the anticipated results: Enhanced Cross-Border and Cross-Sector Competencies: A cornerstone of our project's objectives was to elevate the capacities of our consortium in working seamlessly across borders and sectors. The innovative Organization to Organization (O2O) tailored trainings aimed to provide participants with hands-on experiences through job shadowing at partner organizations. This immersive approach was expected to impart nuanced skills and strategies that are directly applicable in diverse contexts. Strengthened Synergy and Cooperation: A pivotal outcome we envisaged was the cultivation of heightened synergy and cooperation among consortium members. This harmonized collaborative environment was expected to yield an increased allocation of financial resources from sources beyond EU funding. This self-sustaining model aimed to amplify the longevity and effectiveness of our endeavors. Long-lasting Project Management Proficiency: One of the enduring impacts we sought was an upskilled proficiency in the preparation, implementation, monitoring, and follow-up of EU/international projects. This expected outcome aimed to equip consortium members with enhanced strategic foresight and operational excellence beyond the project's conclusion. In terms of the specific outputs and results, the YOUCAN project produced: - Six Training Reports: Derived from the immersive training experiences offered through the O2O approach, these comprehensive reports encapsulated valuable insights, lessons learned, and best practices. This knowledge sharing aimed to enrich the collaborative ecosystem. - Formalized Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation: A tangible expression of our collaborative commitment, the Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by all consortium organizations, establishing a shared framework for sustained cooperation. - 3 Participation in External Projects: The project aimed to catalyze active participation in three projects resulting from calls for proposals outside of EU funding. - Best Practice Publication: A comprehensive publication of 67-pages (EN version) was produced. This publication, available in the languages of the participating countries as well as English, took in consideration best practices gleaned from projects focused on cross-sectoral cooperation to tackle migrant youth school dropout. - Toolkit Publication: Another pivotal deliverable was the toolkit publication (70 pages, EN version). Designed for accessibility and practicality, this resource was envisioned to empower consortium members with enriched project management skills, fostering enhanced outcomes in EU and international contexts. In essence, the YOUCAN project's anticipated outcomes and outputs were intricately woven to increase cross-border competencies, drive sustainable collaboration, elevate project management acumen, and provide valuable knowledge resources. These outputs formed the foundation for addressing migrant youth school dropout and fostering social inclusion, both during and beyond the project's lifespan.