Get to know the NGO sector. Lead the change.

The partnership identified a pattern in our countries: -NGOs and youth workers are lacking similar skills (securing funding,presenting their causes,strategic planning,social entrepreneurship,cros...

The objectives of the project were: promoting civic engagement among youth and creating a mindset that a career path in the NGO sector is an option; capacity building of the NGO staff/youth workers; development of the youth - skillbuilding, soft skills, employability, practical knowledge; development of human resources suitable for the NGO sector; development of practical, step-by-step guide and games for successful work in the NGO sector; exchange of good practices and know-how. We achieved them by creating a step-by-step guide that addresses the identified skills gaps in NGO staff and youth workers; gamification of the guide, using two distinct approaches, enhancing the capacity and quality of youth work. The LTTA provided youth workers and young NGO professionals with an insight into the work of Icelandic NGOs, emphasizing the incorporation of sustainable development goals, outreach, cooperation with public administrations and strategic planning. Multiplier events and distribution of the games supported NGOs across Europe built common values, provoked civic engagement and participation in youth, educating them for the importance of the NGO work, while instilling essential transversal skills.

LTTA: 25 youth workers from the partnering countries gathered for an 5-day training course (TC) in Reykjavik, Iceland (25-29 April 2023), for sharing know-how and knowledge exchange with local organizations, as well as training on how to embed SDGs in their work to facilitate the co-creation of sustainable policies and practices. A specific focus was put on SDG5 Gender equality and SDG13 Climate action. TPMs: our first transnational project meeting was online, where we gathered the team, we went through the preparatory work done by the partners and the financial management + we set deadlines for project milestones. First face-to-face TPM was held in Sofia, Bulgaria (9-10.05.2022), where we had some team building activities, checked the progress of the project and its results. We had our first meeting with a gamification expert with which we discussed the creation of IO3. We dedicated time for IO1: discussion between the team members if the content is relevant to our target groups and if we all used “easy to read” language, as well as creation of storyboards and draft videos with Doodly. Second offline TPM was in Bucharest, Romania (5-6.12.2022), where the main topics were: management, finalization of IO1, next steps for IO2 and IO3, the practicalities around the LTTA. The last TPM was in Lanciano, Italy (24-25.10.2023), where the main points of discussion were: Project’s results, multiplier events, dissemination activities, final reporting, sustainability plan. TPMs were carefully planned and executed to ensure objectives were achieved, but also to give us time to develop a deeper understanding of each other's organizations and culture and build longer lasting relationships leading to further development, transferring learnings from this project forward to the future. Multiplier events: Italy: Lanciano 07.08.2023 The Italian Multiplier event engaged a total of 51 participants. 21 participants were engaged in a face-to-face event carried out in the TuFirst sustainable training room and 30 in online events to reach a broader audience. The events included a presentation of the project objectives and outputs and workshop activities to stimulate soft-skills development (communication, problem solving, empathy and self-confidence) which are essential to promote capacity building and action in the NGO sector. The events targeted young people, youth workers and also teachers and trainers. Bulgaria: Sofia, 21.10.2023 We gathered 41 people (55 originally registered) with different profiles - youth workers and youngsters. We had colleagues from Able Mentor, Zaedno v chas, Tehnocrati, American college in Sofia, Medical university Sofia and Leader Academy. We also had freelance training, fundraising and development specialists, creativity trainer and project managers testing the game (IO3). The ratio was around 35% youth workers to 65% youngsters. We started by presenting the project, its goals and objectives, what were the different events during the project, presentation of IO1 with option to scan and download it, our insights from IO2 and finally IO3. We gave them time and space to try the game and then discuss what are the outcomes for them, how they can use it and how the game can be modified to better suit the different needs and fields. Romania: Bucharest, 04.11.2023 IO1, IO2, IO3 have been presented to 62 young people, youth workers, NGO representatives and teachers over the course of 4 hours. The event was designed to offer participants an insight into the world of NGOs, and discover together how we can attract more young people into a career in this sector, since at the moment, in Romania, it is not a professional path that many consider. The event had 4 sessions: presentation of the project’s IOs, a panel with experts discussing digital youth work, an european cafe with 4 facilitators presenting 4 digital tools and taking questions about them and a foresight session where participants tried to imagine how digital youtwork should look like in the future. Iceland: Reykjavik, 08.11.2023 NORTH presented the CAUSELAND project to 30 students at the University of Iceland. Their backgrounds and ages varied, representative of the Icelandic University population. The event presented the entirety of the project with specific focus on the step-by-step PDF guide. The participants were led through a workshop in which they examined the websites of Icelandic NGOs to determine their why, what, how and who and to generate a clear and concise communication using that information to engage others in the NGO. Outside of the planned activities IO3 was presented during a game event in Bulgaria, different TC across Europe and adapted for the needs of a Bulgarian organization developing debating skills in youngsters. IO1 was presented to youngsters and youth workers during several international trainings and a couple of local trainings for NEETs in Bulgaria.

The project contributed directly to strengthening civil society in Bulgaria, Romania, Italy and Iceland through focusing attention on empowering staff, youth workers and volunteers working with various NGOs through targeted and comprehensive competence building, sharing of experiences and expertise and facilitating collaboration and sustainable efforts between NGOs. Operational and collaborative capacities were strengthened through holistic assessment of needs for knowledge/skills and competence-building among staff and volunteers at NGOs at the onset of the project and designing of diverse, yet targeted training offers and materials. Participants were offered an opportunity to strengthen their capacities in managing NGOs in a transparent way using effective management procedures, marketing and reaching their target audiences, using social media, seeking national and international financing, and in strategic planning. Their capacity in networking and building sustainable relations with public administrations, private businesses as well as NGOs nationally and abroad was also further strengthened. Intellectual outputs (IO) of the project: IO1: CAUSELAND - step-by-step guide for establishing your NGO with the following modules: - Establishing Your NGO; Legally Setting up your NGO; Social entrepreneurship; Strategic Leadership; Strategy and Planning; Budget & Reporting, and Financing; Management; Communication and Public Relations; Digital Competencies and Communication; Human Resources. Some of the topics weren’t originally planned, but after the needs analysis at the beginning of the project we saw that they were necessary. IO2: Causeland Ambassadors turned the modules of the guide (IO1) into a gamified learning experience based on the New Media Ambassadors (NMA) methodology. The participants put into practice the theory that is included in the modules of IO1. The main objectives were to enable learning about the NGO sector through practice, enhance constructive dialogue between the participants and make the youth inspired to participate in youth work on the EU-level. IO3: Тhe board game “CauseLand” can be used by youth workers as a tool when working with young people who want to start a career in the NGO sector, as well as a tool for promotion of civic engagement and active citizenship. The game offers real-world simulations, positioning the players in two main roles: NGO members and funding organization. Depending on their role they are developing different sets of skills (public speaking, critical thinking, team work, etc.). The expected long-term results of the project include sustainable organizations, increased understanding of NGOs with an improved social image, increased initiative and entrepreneurial spirit among youth and youth workers, expanded pathways for professional growth, increased public engagement and increased motivation to learn among marginalized youth and youth workers. In addition, the project aims to improve the recognition and understanding of skills and qualifications in Europe and globally.