“Improved Employability through circular economy education for Adults”

The active role of citizens and their direct involvement is essential to address climate change and other human actions harming the environment.Changes in citizen and consumer behavior toward more...

“Improved Employability through circular economy education for Adults” (IDEA) was a 30 months Cooperation partnership aimed at promoting Circular Economy and Sustainability among unemployed adults, by fostering a greater interaction between the European Green Deal and the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025. As resulting from the needs analysis conducted by the Consortium, a greater promotion is needed of the positive social impacts that Circular Economy (CE) can have on Adults at risk of exclusion. In fact, CE can foster not only employability but also social inclusion, by promoting a greater sense of social justice and social equity within the greater framework of sustainable development, satisfying the needs of present and future generations (Padilla-Rivera, 2020). In order to reach its core aim, the project has identified the following specific objectives: - providing Adult Educators and trainers with skills, competences and tools to engage adults (45+) and/or who did not complete their studies - creating upskilling pathways for adults (45+) and/or who did not complete their studies, and increase their take-up of new adult education opportunities in the field of circular economy and sustainability.

During the 30 months of cooperation, the IDEA Consortium realized: - 3 Transnational project meetings and operational online meetings, - 1 JSTE aimed at: a. providing comprehensive joint learning and exchange between the participants on tools and methodologies to foster Circular Economy and sustainability through art, craft and NFE methodologies b. testing the Training Format produced in R1 c. laying the foundation for the co-creation of activities that were included in R2 and tested in the local phase - Local workshops with unemployed adults to test the activities that were included in R2 and establish the foundation for the co-creation of the video tutorials that were included in R3, -5 multiplier events i partner`s countries, -production of three project results, -promotion/dissemination activities,etc.

Tangible results: 1.R1–IDEA Guide, a practical resource for Adult Educators and Adult Education Institutions regarding tools and methodologies to foster Circular Economy and Sustainability within their organisations and in their work with the target group and beyond. A Training Format employing the tinkering methodology in synergy with NFE methods were included, as a practical resource for direct application of said methods in future trainings or in the daily life of organisations. The TF based on the findings of a transnational research (which final report included in R1) identifying the needs and barriers, and societal exclusion factors of adults at risk of exclusion, and the existing offer in the frame of Circular Economy Education and Plastic Craftwork. 2.R2-IDEA Interactive Toolkit,developed through a co-design process between the Adult Educators involved in the C1 and partner organizations, as a set of guidelines, workshops and video tutorials on tinkering and Non-Formal education activities fostering Circular Economy. 3.R3-IDEA Practitioners Network, developed around a web-platform, conceived as a comprehensive tool to foster Plastic Circular Economy through Recycled art/Craftwork and comprising a resources section for users approaching the field of Circular Economy and re-cycled art/craftworks, and a forum section where users/practitioners can exchange tutorials for Plastic Craftwork including information on the amount of waste avoided. Through the production of tangible results and the implementation of training activities at transnational and local level, IDEA also produced the following outcomes: A.Stakeholders and policy-making authorities provided with meaningful insights and concrete pathways for the improvement of sectoral policies/offers in the field of adults education and adults (45+) social inclusion. B.Operators from each partner country provided with the knowledge, competences, and methodologies were active, in cooperation among them, in supporting the social inclusion and empowerment of adults (45+) through Circular Economy Education and Plastic Craftwork. C.Adults (45+) at risk of exclusion in partner countries sensitized to greater participation in education and social life in general, as well as stimulated in breaking the barriers of insecurity and selfloathing hampering their engagement in education and social participation. D.Consolidate framework of cooperation allowing partner organizations to be active on the topic exchanging information and proposing follow-up initiatives, also with the involvement of interested stakeholders.