"<< Background >>In recent years the ETS has provided strong support for the recognition of and the recognition of the work of the trainer working at the international level. The introduction of the Competence Model for Trainers Working Internationally in 2014 was a giant step forward. Outside of the main institutions, the creation of the International Youth Work Trainers Guild in 2014 was another huge step for the support and recognition of trainers. The Guild has gone on to develop two specific tools and an internal programme for the development of trainers. Despite these gains, there are too few trainers with many years of experience and the level of ability and competence that the youth sector deserves. Many simply stop working after a few years to get “a real” job or leave the youth sector to earn better money as a trainer in another sector. For many the quality of life is low, unhealthy and or unstable. The COVID-19 pandemic both highlighted and amplified existing issues and in a survey amongst trainers conducted in May of 2020 (by Stefan Georgiev), 23% said they were considering leaving the sector. Other statistics from this survey reveal a cocktail of issues affecting the mental and physical health of trainers in the youth sector.More and more, trainers, trainer organisations and affiliated organisations are realising the need for broader development and support, something that goes beyond their competencies, the skills, knowledge and attitude for the actual training sessions they develop and run. The needs of the target group are the same as those for the partner organisations, this is a need/issue within the youth sector as a whole that needs to be faced by the youth sector.In a small survey conducted by the Guild in the spring of 2021 over 40 trainers responded to an online survey covering a holistic approach to needs. Some of the key points raised by the participating trainers included:Physical wellbeing - working lifestyle leading to sleep, nutrition and relaxation issues, back and stomach problems, long hours of sitting in front of a computer, long hours of standing during training courses, extremely long hours of working during training courses without time off or space for relaxation. Substantial travel (planes, trains, buses, etc.), heavy luggage, long hours of waiting in airports and stations, constant changing of beds, bedrooms, and pillows, constant changing of sleep patterns, different environments, lack of privacy, constant change of diet, etc. Poor home office equipment.Mental and psychological wellbeing - burnout, various forms of stress, dealing with failure or rejection, insecurities - work continuity and economic, bringing of work home, conflicts at home and or with colleagues, anxiety, exhaustion, feeling overwhelmed, multitasking multiple jobs, etc. Need to create more time for themselves, set boundaries, more structured and reasonable hours, say no to new work, seek professional support, be more assertive, cut off from email, develop more internal support in the trainer community… Intellectual, professional and financial wellbeing and rights - Intellectual property rights, Creative Commons, access to professional legal advice. Visibility, self-promotion of work done, achievements made, and products developed, etc. Recognition for work done, achievements made, and products developed/created. Clarity of contracts and to be able to have a better understanding of what is being asked and the legal wording used. Creating a culture of sharing.Self-management - holding a better and healthier work-life balance, knowing how to price oneself in tenders, need to improve the writing of tenders, more knowledge on how to create partnerships, developing of peer support and supervision systems.<< Objectives >>By implementing this project we want to increase the quality and impact of youth work training by supporting trainers in their physical and mental wellbeing, motivation and job satisfaction through examining all aspects of their personal and professional lives, therefore contributing to the quality and recognition of youth work. OBJECTIVES- To explore all the aspects of a trainers life that contribute to their work as a trainer linking into the existing policies, practices and competence frameworks - such as LifeComp, ETS, Competence Model for Trainers at the International level... - To identify individual and common needs in the trainer community in order to develop 3 forms of responses as a means of support and self-help for trainers- To identify and share trainer hacks and practices, support processes, core pieces of information that respond to the identified needs in the form of a Trainer Hacks page on the Guild website- To collate expert advice and opinion about physical wellbeing, mental and emotional wellbeing, legal matters, and advice from the travel industry, the results of which would be turned into a series of digital resources- To monitor ongoing developments throughout the period of the project among trainers in order to support individuals and the trainer community as a wholeThe project will examine different areas of a trainers life; continuous travel, lack of control over own diet because of spending large amounts of time in hotels, hostels and conference centres, self-management including understanding contracts, tax and VAT laws, intellectual property rights and ownership of materials produced, the physical impact on the body of a trainer, the mental and emotional impact on a trainer, and being more ecologically sustainable in the work.The project will explore each of these topic areas, using research, peer knowledge, exchange of practices and expert input. In each topic area there are life hacks, tips and tricks, specific knowledge and proper guidance that can improve the quality of life of a trainer and therefore ultimately improve the quality of their work. This project is seen as being complementary to the European Training Strategy and seeks to have an impact on all trainers working at the European level.<< Implementation >>START: May1st of 2022, duration: 28 monthsQ2 of 2022: KICK OFF!start May 1st 2022kick-off meeting of partners June (Serbia)Q3&Q4 2022: RESEARCH & MAPPINGresearch, empathy, mapping, state of play (also use BfT and TF), incl surveys, desk research and focus groups Q1&Q2 2023: IDEATIONideation meeting of partners (Germany) ideation for outputsTraining-seminar ""Trainers life hacks lab"" (Serbia)webinars with experts (use also to build up community and focus groups) Q3 & Q4 of 2023: PROTOTYPING AND TESTINGprototyping of outputstesting prototypes, use focus groups (also use BfT and TF)meeting of partners to bridge from testing to production (Austria)Q1 of 2024: PRODUCTIONproduction of final outputsQ2 of 2024: DISSEMINATIONmultiplier events in the 4 countrieswebinars for promotiongeneral dissemination, including wellbeing challengeevaluation meeting of partners (Portugal)preparation of final reportEND: September 1st of 2024FINAL REPORT submitted before Otober 31st of 202<< Results >>The outputs are designed to provide support either as a self-help approach or peer to peer support.OUTPUTS: Research on the challenges and needs of trainers in the youth field, concerning the topics of the project:-Physical health and wellbeing;-Mental and emotional health and wellbeing;-Nutrition (especially while traveling and on events);-Travel;-The legal aspect of trainers’ work (contracts, taxes, etc.);-Ownership and authorship of trainers’ work;-Self-management.The research will be done through surveys with targeted questions about each of the topics (expanding the mapping done in the project design phase), as well as focus groups and interviews.Tips, Tricks and Trainer HacksCollected experiences, tips/hacks and inspiring stories from trainers’ covering all the above topics. Methodology used will include focus groups, interviews and desk research for collecting examples of good practice. Both research and experiences collected will be published in digital form on Guid website and disseminated to organisations, institutions, networks working with trainers or having pools of trainers. In addition, stories and inspiring examples can be recorded and published on social media and website in video/audio form.Survival Manual Mini-manuals on different topics and sub-topics (e.g. tips for traveling long-distance, or infographic with nutritional tips and information, etc.). Each mini-manual should be published in printable pdf form on Guild website, so trainers can choose the ones they need. Their design should allow users to bind together different small manuals of their choosing into a personal survival guide. In parallel the same information will be produced as a series of videos and podcasts. These will also be published through the Guild website, added to the YouTrain YouTube site, and added to existing podcast and video channels that exist among the partners and other participating organisations. During the project the team will explore different digital tools that can be used for tracking lifestyle changes, introducing and following healthy habits, etc. The suggested tools would find their place on the Guild website with short reviews.System of SupportWebinars with experts in the fields covered by the project. Specific topics will be defined during ideation phase and chosen according to research results. Webinars will be open for anybody from the field, interested in the topic. They will be recorded and published as videos or podcasts on Guild website. Ongoing peer support. The Guild already operates an informal approach to this called “Trios” - Guild members form a trio and meet regularly online to share and support one another. This concept will be further developed and expanded. MOOCMOOC will be designed in a way that each Module will be possible to use as a separate learning material. MOOC will cover all the aspects of the wellbeing of the trainer, each Module will be dedicated to one, plus intro and evaluation Modules (in total 9). Mooc will be a space to test all our materials, get feedback and create an audience of people who potentially could spread materials among their trainer colleagues.In addition to the listed topics connected with needs of trainers, the topic of sustainability will be cross-cutting and will be included in short manuals, webinars and videos (e.g. when talking about travel, nutrition, lifestyle, etc)"

<< Objectives >>We aim to establish a quality standard for Open Badges issuers seeking better quality and wider recognition of learning activities and outcomes. In this project, we will seek to achieve:1.Better badge recognition in youth policies and practices at local and European levels2.Develop country-specific and the European badge recognition strategies3.Capacity of youth workers to multiply digital badge recognition locally4.Develop the Quality Label for digital badge recognition and accreditation<< Implementation >>Researching recognition systems, developing countries-specific and European badge recognition strategies, stakeholder engagement (locally and at European level).International certification training on digital badge recognition, local multiplying workshops, international expert seminar on wider recognition, online learning activities and resources (pathways).Analysing quality standards, piloting Quality Label standard for badge recognition, technical solution to implement Quality Label.<< Results >>Research and analysis of recognition systems and quality standards.6 country-specific and 1 European badge recognition strategies and stakeholder engagement.Developed standard training certification programme on digital badge recognition.Developed standard multiplying activities, digital learning activities and resources on quality badge recognition.Expert recommendations for wider badge recognition.Piloted Quality Label standard for Badge issuers, incl. documentation and technical solution

There is an emergency to invest and develop competencies in Human Rights Education and Advocacy, especially among youth workers who are dealing with the most sensitive and who have in the same time the biggest capacity of change among the global population: Young people!Manny organizations which are interested to act for LGBTQ+ rights or already active are struggling to do so in societies which are highly intolerant. They need to build their capacity to increase the level of tolerance in their society in order to create a more open environment for vulnerable people to be visible and to take their place in the society.The partners involved in the project are genuinely concerned about the Human Rights abuses in the world today, especially regarding LGBTQ+ communities, by the lack of awareness and knowledge among young people and also by the lack of sufficient support from the public authorities and discriminatory legislations. Main aims of this project is to build the capacity of the consortium members to bring about awareness to general public about LGBTQ+ rights and to advocate for policy changes in these matters. For more specific objectives we envision: • To provide a space for sharing best practices among youth organization from 2 continents, specifically on the topic of activism on LGBTQ+ Rights • To increase the level of innovation and creativity in youth work field dealing with LGBTQ+ rights;• To increase the knowledge level of young people and youth workers in topics like: Human Rights (values, principles, study cases), LGBTQ+ Rights history and movement, social exclusion, intercultural dialogue, tolerance;• To develop youth workers’ sense of initiative;• To empower LGBTQ+ activist to continue their work in a more impactful way;• To develop youth workers’ competencies in various human rights education methods: living library, legislative theatre, street campaigning, etc.• To stimulate youth organization to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and influence policies in their communities and at global level.Through its structure and planned activities (see next sections) the project is clearly fostering the assessment of transversal skills, stimulating active participation of young people in democratic life and promoting young people's social inclusion and well-being – as main priorities of the program.The project will last for 24 months and is envisioned to have the following concrete results:- A team of 30 LGBTQ+ rights educators and advocators (from Serbia, Macedonia, Romania, South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda and Botswana);- At least 2940 direct beneficiaries of the local practice phase (living library and other campaigning events) by the multipliers ;- 7 advocacy campaigns for changing LGBTQ+ rights related policies in 7 countries.- Written and video collection of Human Books from the project- Movie about the project experience translated in all languages from the consortium.

In 2018, the at-risk-of-poverty or social exclusion rate for young people aged 16-29 years was 26.3 % in the EU-28, corresponding to about 20.6 million young people, with the highest levels in Greece (40.2%), Denmark (37.3%) and Romania (35.3%) and the risk for people with disabilities peaking in Bulgaria at 49.8% (Eurostat, 2019). In Serbia the Roma are still among the most deprived communities, often facing discrimination, social exclusion and unequal access to employment, education, housing and health services, while in Hungary the segregation of Roma youth continues to grow to worrying levels (Hungarian Free Press, 2018). In Madeira, Portugal new social inclusion issues are appearing with the recent increase of arrivals of Venezuelan refugees. As social exclusion at an early age has the potential to have long-lasting consequences for both individuals and society as a whole as it may affect all aspects of young people’s lives, the project's main priority is social inclusion, tackling issues of equality, shared values, diversity and non-discrimination, at individual and institutional level. The project takes an integrated approach to social inclusion, by equipping youth workers with competences to address the issue both at an individual level, through non-formal education, and at institutional level, through awareness raising and advocacy. As divisions across Europe continue to grow, there is a need to develop strategies to strengthen critical thinking and support all young people when it comes to actively taking part in society, no matter what particular groups they might belong to. Through equipping youth workers to engage young people in non-formal educational activities organised at local level, the project tackles discrimination, racism and segregation, whilst by equipping youth workers with skills to develop and coordinate awareness raising and advocacy actions, the project will create sustainable links between youth organisations, public authorities and society at large. Following the two years, the project will contribute to increasing social inclusion in 5 local contexts, by improving social inclusion policies and engaging young people in non-formal educational activities with long lasting effects.The primary goal of the project is to empower youth workers and young people to develop competencies to increase social inclusion. Over the span of the project, a toolkit will be produced containing the methodology used throughout the project and recommendations for institutions and civil society. Specifically, the main objectives of the project are to:1. Strengthen the capacity of 6 youth organisations to address efficiently and qualitatively social exclusion in their communities.2. Create a network of 30 youth workers competent in addressing social exclusion through non-formal education and advocacy.3. Develop competencies of 900 young people (30 young people to each youth worker) to understand and deal with social exclusion in their life and in society. The main target group of the project is young people, especially those at risk of social exclusion, as the worrying levels of discrimination, racism and segregation presented that take place in schools, neighbourhoods, the work place, the discrimination by the state, by peers or authorities are very often considered as normal among many young people who are either victims, neutral, indifferent or abusers themselves. The secondary groups are youth workers that need higher competencies in combating social exclusion and who will be trained to work with young people at local level and to develop awareness raising and advocacy actions, and decision makers, as current public policies have not led to a decrease in social exclusion.Over a two-year period the project will consist of: two intensive training - one on non-formal educational methods for social inclusion, especially Theatre of the Oppressed, Living Library and Street Campaigning and one development and coordination of advocacy campaigns; local activities following each training where the competencies achieved will be put to practice; three project management meetings and dissemination activities. The methodology used throughout the project will be non-formal education.

Quality youth projects (from idea to implementation) bring sustainability of youth work, raise capacities and motivation of youth workers, contribute to the recognition of youth work, bring better impact to young people and society, keep young people motivated and engaged, raises quality of learning and involvement through youth work, raises civic and democratic engagement and brings reputation to youth organisation and youth field in general. That is why we focus on importance of building capacities of youth workers to develop, prepare, apply and implement youth projects on high quality level. Responding to the relevant and realistic needs and challenges further brings the next level of problems that youth organisation found themselves in – solutions and ideas became vague, not innovative and limited. Building up on that, we have realised that for the innovative solutions, quality projects, sustainability of the youth programmes and stronger impact of our work, one of the main thing lacking in the youth sector is the strategic networking, establishing quality and meaningful national and especially international cooperation in the youth field among the youth organisations, but also with the youth authorities, decision and policy makers, institutions working with and for young people and even business sector. This synergy is crucial for success of the youth work and highly contributes to its recognition and validation. The aim of this project is to improve the quality of youth projects, foster the innovative approaches to project-based youth work and encourage quality structured networking and cooperation in youth work field.Specific Objective 1:To enhance socio-professional development and international cooperation of youth workers by strengthening their capacities in the field of project writing and project management and empower innovations in finding solutions and developing ideas.Specific Objective 2: To increase quality and strategic approach to cooperation and networking between youth We plan to achieve these aim and objectives through set of capacity building and mobility activities:1. Online partner meeting2. Training courses on using design thinking methodology for solution-based project ideas, project writing and project management for youth workers and on networking, quality cooperation in youth field and successful cross-sectoral cooperation3. Study visits between partners on quality of project management, implementation and cooperation with local authorities/youth institutions/other stakeholders4. MOOC and video tutorials on complete youth project writing5. Follow up practice activities of participants6. Digital interactive manual about using design thinking methodology to innovate project ideas7. Large scale event gathering youth workers, youth institutions, bodies, other stakeholders from other sectorsThe project gathers 8 partner organisations from 7 Programme and Neighbor countries and will last for 21 months.