Organising in crisis - development of soft and online competences of community organisers from Europe and blended educational tools

Europe is in the face of various worrying phenomena.According to numerous reports and publications growing crisis of climate,tolerance,nationalism,increase of radical right-wing parties and organi...

By our project we want to achieve the following objectives: -enhancing quality and scope of soft and online competences of adult educators from Hungary,Poland,Romania,Serbia,Slovakia and United Kingdom (i.e. community organisers-people working in partner organisations who already identify themselves as community organisers as well as volunteers of partner organisations-people who may not identify as community organisers,but who are essential element of any community organising processes) so they will more efficiently and qualifiedly assist especially disadvantaged communities -strengthening network and know-how of partners supporting vulnerable groups and communities through in person and digital community organising,and blended educational tools -building partners capacity to take actions on national and transnational level,also in times of crisis and mixed (offline/online) conditions.

Within the project "Organising in crisis - development of soft and online competences of community organisers from Europe and blended educational tools" we have envisaged tailored project activities - 3 transnational project meetings,3 trainings focusing on online and offline competences,3 blended intellectual results as well as 7 multiplier events promoting intellectual outputs,which constitute integrated whole. Engagement of all partner organisations,their extensive and diversified know-how (on adult education,preventing violent extremism,or civic participation also in rural areas and in an online form,work with marginalised members of society,and Eastern and Western perspectives and approaches towards forms of civic engagement) as well as their channels and networks will provide us valuable mixture of skills,experience and capacity;input and access to crucial data on the needs and opportunities concerning both primary and secondary participants; understanding of learner needs taking account cultural, geographical and language diversity across Europe and last,but not least high level of dissemination and multiplication of project results. 1.Transnational project meetings We plan 3 transnational in person project meetings in the course of the project,which will bring effective delivery,quality and relevance of all main project activities,including intellectual outputs.They will enable smooth and constructive communication and collaboration,supporting every partner to share their diverse competences,expertise and resources in a way that is synergistic and creative. 2.Dedicated trainings We assume 3 trainings for adult educators from across Europe,which will increase the quality and scope of soft,online and thematic competences of community organisers so they will more efficiently and qualifiedly assist especially disadvantaged communities and also in times of crisis or social distance.Range of topics for trainings were chosen basing on careful and detailed assessment of needs and expectations raised by each partner organisation,so we are convinced that they will lead to achievement of envisaged project objectives. 3.Intellectual outputs In times of pandemic support and transfer of best practices become for us needed more than ever.All partners after feeling lost and overhelmed by changing circumstances caused by COVID-19 eventually managed to some extent adapt their actvities to current situation and further function.Via sharing lessons learnt out of that situation and developing innovative and inspirational blended educational tools (educational curriculum for adult educators,online educational simulation on community organising,methodology for supervisors of community organisers),we will be more adequately prepared to realise actions in offline and online conditions,when another crisis or social distance occurs.Creation of unique educational instruments by international team of experts will enrich our portfolio in educating diverse groups of citizens in offline and online situations. 4.Multiplier events We will organise 7 multiplier and dissemination activities (in Hungary,Poland,Romania,Serbia,Slovakia and United Kingdom),which will share results with both new and existing networks,to ensure a wide reach across the sector.This will help to ensure that the resources produced within the project will be more widely taken up by adult educators.

Our project will result in development of soft and online competences of adult educators,and creation of blended educational tools that will allow us to engage in particular those with fewer opportunities.We will equip community organisers and volunteers who would like to become professional educators with practical skills,knowledge and instruments,so they will be better prepared to empower,educate and support ordinary citizens in more professional and effective way,also in online formula. Learning and innovation will lead to creation of 3 intellectual outputs,which will serve as the foundation for extension and increase of high-quality educational opportunities for adult educators across Europe.This will subsequently lead to inclusion and participation of more disadvantaged members of society who otherwise would remain socially excluded and alienated. 1. Educational curriculum for adult educators (IO1) We will develop a modular curriculum,which can be adapted to a variety of educational contexts.It will cover in particular soft and digital competences previously identified by partners.Each module will include session plans and educational activities.Modular format will be designed to enable trainers to adapt curriculum to various settings,contexts and needs of target groups.It will help educators to meet key learning needs and to lower barriers to uptake by diverse learners. 2. Online educational game on CO (IO2) We will develop serious online game (social simulation) focused on CO.Use of such tools is still rare in adult education while it has shown to be extremely effective in learning process owing to its engaging and extensive potential.Simulations are superior to passive lecture methods and allow not only to pass on specific knowledge to participants,but also to let them share knowledge,get to know other perspectives and worldviews,test themselves in a specific situation,and look into future to observe long-term effects of their actions.According to our knowledge,there is no such game on CO across Europe making it innovative and one of its kind. 3. Methodology for supervisors of community organisers (IO3) We will develop practical methodolog,which will systemize and deepen our work on providing regular and professional guidance to community organisers.Like every other occupation,work of on organiser needs constant development of various competences,exchange of knowledge and inspirations,but also support from other more experienced fellows. Apart from that,we expect following qualitative outcomes of project: -strenghtening network of partners organisations dedicated to engage particularly marginalised members of society through CO and education -promoting CO in partner countries and in Europe -scalling up community-driven organising and involving more citizens in the public life -raise attention of public,authorities and donors about need for supporting also financially innovative forms of civic participation,where CO represents a powerful instrument to be adapted to different contexts and groups. Moreover,we want to deliver given quantitative products: -78 community organisers participating in trainings -3 trainings conducted focused on soft and online competences -3 innovative blended intellectual outputs created -3 transnational project meetings carried out -7 partners organisations more professionally prepared for supporting communities,also in times of crisis and in online conditions -7 multiplier events promoting intellectual results and project activities conducted across Europe -180 ordinary citizens,local leaders,change makers,donors,members of CSOs and grassroots organisations involved in dissemination events -7800 people more active,powerful and visible in public life through work of community organisers (we estimate that each organiser throughout the project will assist or reach out to 100 people (by door-knocking,participation in local activities carried out by groups,signing petitions etc.).