Play & Employment

As starting point, SSF identified and evidenced the barriers and gaps that still exist for the social and labour inclusion of junior migrants, minorities, asylum seekers and refugees (JMMR). Having a migrant background and cultural differences are factors that hampers effective inclusion and employability: employment rates for 16–24-year-olds are significantly lower for those born outside the EU than for those born in the EU (Eurostat, 2020). Furthermore, according to the analysis carried out by the partners (all entities that work on a daily basis with programmes for the integration of young migrants) it is difficult to maintain the motivation of young people in integration pathways, as many of them do not see the contents that are usually used as being adapted to their needs and ways of being in society. In this sense, PLAYEM was designed to strengthen the employability of young people and promote their social inclusion through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). At the same time, the project also sought to increase the quality, innovation and recognition of youth work, in order to recognise new methods and practices to better accompany these youngers in their integration processes.

The main objective of PLAYEM project is to promote the employability of junior migrants, minorities, asylum seekers and refugees (JMMR) through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). In order to achieve this general objective, the following specific objectives are proposed: - O.E.1. To improve the personal branding of JMMR for access to jobs, through audiovisual and interactive material. - O.E.2. To favour innovative tools and methodologies for professionals working to promote the employability of JMMR. - O.E.3. To develop the competences, skills and knowledge of JMMR for access to the labour market. - O.E.4. To improve the social skills of JMMR through the use of audiovisual and interactive material. - O.E.5. To foster JMMR's autonomy during the Active Job Search process. - O.E.6. To reinforce the feeling of European citizenship citizenship, especially among JMMR. - O.E.7. To strengthen contact networks among the young population through virtual spaces aimed at promoting employability. - O.E.8. To strengthen networking and communication between youth workers, local institutions, companies and third sector organisations.

Several activities have been carried in order to achieve the project's objectives. These activities focused on: (1) The project results (PR); (2) Learning, Teaching and Training Activity; (3) Innovation and social inclusion laboratories; (4) Management and Monitoring of the project; (5) Dissemination activities; (6) Quality and Evaluation; (7) Sustainability and Exploitation Plan. 1. Project results (PR). Are fundamental elements that helped to achieve the objectives, based on innovative tools adapted to the real needs of the beneficiaries. All 3 expected results have been successfully developed: the PLAYEM Platform (R1), the PLAYEM Innovative Model (R2) and the PLAYEM Gamified Experience (R3). These results together offer resources to JMMR and youth professionals, to promote the employability of migrant youth, minorities or refugees through the use of Information and Communication Technologies. To successfully develop the results, these have been divided into specific tasks, with the lead partner of each output (SSF, Arciragazzi and CSI, respectively) being in charge of drawing up the work plan and the distribution of tasks, as well as reviewing the deadlines, with the support of the project coordinator. 2. Learning, Teaching and Training Activity (LTTA). This group training event played a key role during the development of PLAYEM. Two professionals from each partner (except Arciragazzi, only 1) were trained to develop their skills, competences and knowledge related to PR 1, 2 and 3. They then trained 56 professionals (at least 10 professionals per partner) in the Innovation and Social Inclusion Labs in their respective countries. 3. Innovation and Social Inclusion Labs. They are as a specific activity within the Results, but it is important to point them out specifically because of their relevance to the project. Two professionals from each entity trained at least 10 professionals (some reached more; 56 in total) in each consortium member country on the contents of the project. Each of these professionals then trained at least 5 young people, having a large multiplier effect. Initially, the number of JMMR to be reached by each partner was 50. During the implementation, numbers needed to be redistributed and partners performed in the following way: 83 SSF, 62 Arciragazzi, 44 Jovesolides, 20 CSI. In total, 209 young migrants, refugees or minorities received training related to the contents of the project, which will ensure the transferability of contents, their improvement and adaptation to the needs and realities of the beneficiary population. 4. Management and monitoring (SSF). These activities have been fundamental for the proper management of the project: communications with National Agency, elaboration of Project Management and Implementation Plan, elaboration of summative monitoring report (each 6 months), communication channels and tools; organisation of meetings and related documents; Risk Management Plan; creation of the Stakeholders’ Committee. 5. Dissemination activities (CSI). Dissemination activities have widened the number of recipients and indirect beneficiaries of the project, facilitating its awareness and dissemination at regional, national and European level. A Dissemination Plan was created and it contains all the activities: creation of project’s logo, branding, layouts and common dissemination materials (4 newsletters, 2 press releases; in English and translation into national languages and dissemination by all partners), stakeholders’ mapping, creation of Instagram and Facebook page of the project and posting scheduling; elaboration of dissemination logs; 2 annual dissemination reports. Implementation of dissemination activities was very successful, reachin around 25.000 users throughout the project life cycle. 6. Quality and Evaluation (Arciragazzi). A Quality and Evaluation Plan was elaborated and it includes the methods and tools to implement a constant monitoring and evaluation of the project activities and indicators: project meetings, project results, LTTA, Innovation Labs, ME and Final Conference. 3 evaluation reports were elaborated. 7. Sustainability and Exploitation (SSF). The Sustainability Plan has been led by SSF and developed jointly with contributions from all partners. It has set out actions to ensure that the Results can continue to be made available and transferred to key stakeholders after PLAYEM has ended.

PR1. PLAYEM Platform for Learning, Training and Participation for Migrant Youth, Minorities and Refugees and Professionals. It is a virtual space for both target groups that contain, on the one hand, an "Area for Professionals", with Good practices manual and a Guide of recommendations for job orientation. On the other hand, the platform contains an "Area for Young People" which includes a "Employment Area", "Training Area" (R2 and R3) and “Experience area”. This platform also contains general information about the project and partners. PR2. Interactive Model for Social and Labour Inclusion: Innovative Tools for Young Migrants, Minorities and Refugees. It is an interactive Course about social skills and transversal competences, such as assertive communication, active listening, conflict resolution, entrepreneurship skills and emotional education. PR3. PLAYEM Gamified Experience for Work Skills and Competences. It consists on an online training to improve youth employment-oriented competences, skills and knowledge, in order to favour the access to the labour market and optimise the selection processes. The content is divided into personal branding, curriculum vitae, cover letter, job search through ICT and selection process. As other results of the project we can consider the following. • Realisation of a joint training of the professionals involved in PLAYEM, as a Learning, Teaching and Training Activity. • Realisation of Multiplier Events and Final International Conference • Strengthening of the capacities, skills and competences of JMMR and professionals, both internally (professionals of the entities) and externally (stakeholders and non-formal partners). • Management process for the implementation of the project. The management tools, together with the development of innovative contents, is considered a result due to the impact on the improvement of the partners' capacities to carry out their daily activities. • Social outcomes. Improved employability of JMMR has been favoured, as well as their social inclusion. The expected results are aligned with the main European policies, in terms of: fostering the integration and inclusion of JMMR; promoting equity, participation and social cohesion; use of ICT for the empowerment of JMMR; training of professionals working with JMMR.