In 2017, still 61 million adults aged 25 to 64 had stopped their formal education before completing upper secondary education. Through the Upskilling Pathways Recommendation, Member States agreed to adopt a strategic approach to provide joined-up learning opportunities to the EU’s 61 million low-skilled adults, built on easily accessible pathways and comprising three steps, starting with skills assessment to identify existing skills and upskilling needs.A skills audit is a process aimed at identifying and analysing the knowledge, skills and competences of an individual, including his or her aptitudes and motivations in order to define a career project and /or plan a professional reorientation or training project; the aim of a skills audit is to help the individual analyse his/her career background, to self-assess his/her position in the labour environment and to plan a career pathway, or in some cases to prepare for the validation of non-formal or informal learning outcomes. Nevertheless, as previous researches and projects evidence, the relationship between validation and skills audits is not always clear to stakeholders and the level of integration between validation and skills audits varies, depending on the type of audit. The conclusions of the study on ‘Mapping Skills Audits in and across the EU’ (2017;E.C) outlined that, in order to be effective, the skills audit process needs to be tailored to target groups. The analysis also identifies several trends that could be gaining importance in the future, including the use of digital tools. Technology is increasingly being used as an intermediary solution. For example, the use of technology to develop open badges or online portfolios which are easily storable (i.e. online), can have a process of external validation as well. The aim of ASSESS PLUS is to support Skills Audits in adult education through innovative digital tools and products to make available skills identification and screening, including the validation of skills acquired through informal and non-formal learning, and facilitate the progress of low-skilled and disadvantaged adults towards higher qualifications.To do so, seven European adult education providers, experts in skills assessment and validation and in digital solutions applied to training and employment from six countries, France, Spain, Austria, Ireland, Bulgaria and Greece, will work together to co-create a set of innovative tools and digital solutions, including: - a European Framework of Competences in Skills Audits for Adult Education (IO1) - an ASSESS PLUS Virtual CAMPUS (IO2), that Includes the following Open Educational Resources: (i) an Online Instructional Guide on Digital Competencies for Virtual Learning; (ii) a set of structured Training Modules (iii) VET Open Online Courses (VOOC) - a Mobile Assessment App for Skills Audits (IO3)- a Guidelines to promote transparency and recognition of skills and qualifications through Skills Audits in Adult Education (IO4)Target users and beneficiaries are: (i) Counsellors, guidance personnel, assessors and practitioners involved with validation (ii) Disadvantaged adults. ASSESS PLUS will involve directly 70 target users (40 partner´s staff /25 experts involved / 5 target users in pilots), 125 disadvantaged adults (in pilots) and 36 stakeholders. At local, regional, national and European level the project will reach a minimum audience of 1000 recipients through the project dissemination activities.The project will use European frameworks of reference, such as EQF and ECVET, to promote new learning pathways and boost transparency, recognition and mobility in Europe. Key sectorial and Adult Education associated partners and stakeholders related with the fields of guidance, training and validation of non-formal and informal learning, involved in the project, will support the dissemination of products and mainstreaming of final results. The project will have a direct positive impact in: (i) partners and organizations involved in the project activities will improve their Skills Audit methods and tools (ii) the low qualified and disadvantaged adults will have access to better up skilling pathways to improve their skills, competencies and qualifications, opening new opportunities for training, job and mobility (iii) the Adult Education sector will count with new instruments to improve the provision of Skills Audits, adapted to different assessment contexts and to the needs of disadvantaged adults.The envisage long term impact of the project will be a strengthening of the Upskilling Pathways and the Adult Education systems in Europe.

<< Background >>Professional caregivers for older people play a major role in the physical and mental health, recovery and rehabilitation of the patients. A low quality of life for caregivers, will result in a low quality of life for service users.Caregivers hold responsibilities of intimate nature and work in spaces where hopelessness and staleness may take over the occupation experience, affecting their own mental and physical health to great extent; especially now, with the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic stressing the European Geriatric Sector and professionals who work in the field to unprecedented levels.The stressful work of professional caregivers makes them highly susceptible to burnout, a severe threat to their personal and professional lives with symptoms like:1. Decrease in energy levels or chronic fatigue2. Increased susceptibility to illness3. Self-neglect and lack of satisfaction in the work4. Sense of helplessness and hopelessnessBurnout has lasting effects and if left unresolved, the problem can grow out of control:- Caregivers: burnout can be devastating their professional and personal lives. In extreme cases people fall into depression and have suicidal thoughts. It is important that they are able to identify symptoms themselves and seek help through support systems, preventing further decline of their mental health. The earlier burnout symptoms are identified, the easier it is to combat the syndrome.- Long-term Care Institutions: they face a difficult situation when their staff is experiencing burnout, as the services they offer are compromised. Additionally, they need to secure and dedicate resources for the recruitment and training of new staff.- Ultimately, compromises in healthcare services are a hazard to the well-being, physical and mental health of patients/service users who are dependent on caregivers in order to satisfy even their most basic needs.There are a few ways which we can reduce the risk of burnout one of which is to educate healthcare management about the syndrome, train them to act as mentors and be on the lookout for symptoms among their staff, and to be able to facilitate effective and consistent supervision/mentoring sessions with the use of tools.In the context of this Vocational Education Project, the consortium aims to deliver products that will train managers of Long-term Care Institutions on:A. Becoming mentors and providing support for their staff. This way they will be able to take preventing measures against the burnout syndromeB. To be on the lookout and able to identify its symptomsC. To be aware of how it affects people and their organisationD. Applying methods to monitor and support staff who exhibit/report symptoms of the syndromeE. Implementing new methods during regular supervision sessions and methods with their staff, to promote self-reflection, boost morale and identify potential issues as means of prevention<< Objectives >>PROCARE Project Objectives:1. To raise awareness of the burnout hazard, especially in the field of geriatric healthcare where service users are dependent on professional caregivers in order to satisfy their needs2. To provide quality of life improvements to the occupation of professional caregiving, through the education of management, mentoring methodology and creation of innovative digital tools3. To ultimately improve the quality of life of older adults in the EU, who are depended on professional caregivers4. To develop mentoring methodology and tools, VET curriculum and corresponding training material for LTC management, so they are able to become mentors for their staff, to be on the lookout for burnout symptoms, and secure/manage resources to to support them5. To expand the EU VET providers’ portfolio, to develop a methodology to be used for future training course developments to address the issue of burnout in other sectors of the EU market6. To contribute to the COVID-19 recovery efforts of the VET and LTC fields on local, regional and European levels7. To contribute to the advancement of VET and LTC policies that will promote the inclusion of mentoring skills and practices as an important asset in supporting the development of LTC managers and caregivers<< Implementation >>The PROCARE Main Project Activity AgendaProject Management main Activities:- Four transnational project meetings in Poland, Italy, Greece and Cyprus- Monthly online meetings- Bi-annual internal financial reports- A Project Management and Implementation Interim Report to the NA- A Final report to the Polish NAQuality Assurance Monitoring and Evaluation Activities:- Drafting and implementation of a Quality Evaluation Plan- Evaluation of consortium meetings- Gathering and processing feedback from participants of project activities- Monitoring of project indicators and ensuring high quality of project resultsDissemination Activities:- Preparation and implementation of a Dissemination Plan- Development of the PROCARE project visual identity- Development of a project website and promotional material- Creation of project social media pageC1 - Training of Trainers:The Training of Trainers event will take place in Greece and will also include an online delivery part. For this activity, the partner organisations will designate trainer learners from the VET Training and Education field in order to satisfy the necessary education needs they require to carry out training for LTC managersProject Result 3 Pilot test of the Mentoring Methodology and Curriculum:Participants of C1 will carry out training sessions for 5 LTC managers from all partner countries. The Pilot will serve as means to receive feedback and comments regarding the PROCARE Mentoring Methodology, Tools and Training curriculum.Multiplier Events:Multiplier Event invitations will be sent through the consortium contact networks. The PROCARE Multiplier Events will take place in all 6 partner countries; Poland, Luxembourg, Greece, Cyprus, Italy and Slovakia.Invitees will be members of the following groups:- LTC management- Geriatric Healthcare and Social Work stakeholders (nursing associations, associations for older people etc.)- VET Policy makers and stakeholders- VET providers; trainers and organisations- Local authorities (Ministries of Healthcare)- Representatives from the LTC caregiver beneficiaries<< Results >>The PROCARE consortium expects the following Project Results and Outcomes:- The PROCARE PR1 Mentoring Methodology- The PROCARE PR1 Digital Mentoring Toolkit- The PROCARE PR2 Mentoring Curriculum and Training Material- The PROCARE PR3 Policy Paper- The PROCARE Project Management Handbook- The PROCARE Quality Assurance Handbook- The PROCARE Dissemination Strategy Handbook- Six National Findings Reports with research findings, learning needs data and conclusions- PR3 Pilot Mentoring Activity- The PROCARE C1 Activity- The PROCARE project website, social media page and other dissemination material- 5 x Multiplier Events in Greece, Italy, Cyprus, Slovakia and Poland- 1 x Multiplier Conference in Luxembourg

The aim of the project was to exchange experiences , methods and techniques of diagnosis and professional potential predisposition of young people (16-28 years ) among those involved in professional activation: counselors , psychologists , coaches, youth workers disfavoured and small towns. The project envisages to provide participants with knowledge and skills in the use of new methods and tools for professional diagnosis and the translation and adaptation of new tools.The target group of the project group of experts (15 trainers counselors and psychologists) who participated in seminars and take the adaptation of tools and methods. In addition, the project there was involved representatives of NGO workers and labor market institutions in a number of minutes. Counselors , psychologists, specialists in the labor market, as well as specialists in mobilizing people who dropped out of the labor market (eg applying the active inclusion of social workers). These individuals was responsible for further cascading transfer of knowledge and testing tools.Assumed, there was involved in the project over 410 youngsters (122 from Austria, 116 from Poland, 55 from Greece, 48 Spain, 69 from Turkey) among 16-28 years old, which, thanks to the tools used to them and worked out on the basis of diagnosis plans have been increased their career opportunities and adaptability in the labor market.The project provided for the organization: 2 business meetings , seminars and conferences 2 summary. Each last 2-3 days. Between visits we carried out intensive work on the review of existing tools , acquisition of strategic partners, translation tools and expert consultation and testing their effectiveness in practice. The project have increased the knowledge and skills of the participants and the development of promotional publications.This international exchange of experience allowed participants to implement known solutions in its previous advisory, particularly in the context of the individual work of the student.Products of the project in the form of 15 adapted tests and methods of diagnosis professional aptitude for young people would help users to work, reduce the burden of making difficult decisions and effectively planed a career to young people. Products were disseminated through the publication of the effects of the project on the website (http://dccf.csr.biz.pl/pl/download/), distribution of CD ( shipping to eg. labor market institutions or educational institutions, youth organisations).

"The successful and organic integration of migrants into EU hosting societies remains problematic for many national migration policies. This is a persistent Europe-wide challenge, which has now become more urgent, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted our lives and societies, but extensive research is showing that the pandemic has already revealed and exacerbated pre-existing socioeconomic inequalities of migrants, a group facing also the additional burden of xenophobia and discrimination. These persistent phenomena are triggered by cultural misunderstanding, bias and fear of the “other”. At the same time the cultural and artistic sectors were hit the most.Culture and Art for Restorative Justice (CARJ) aims to respond to this need, using the power of art and restorative justice to increase cultural awareness and thus contribute to the successful integration of migrant communities at one of the most challenging times for Europe. It will exchange its results at national (the UK, Greece, Turkey, Spain and Cyprus) and European levels, helping in this way to achieve the objectives of the EU Integration Action Plan, and supporting the Erasmus+ priorities. The project will adopt a user-led methodology in order to address several Sectoral and Horizontal Erasmus+ Priorities.In particular, CARJ aims to empower creative and cultural professionals who support migrants and especially those who are at risk of marginalization. It will increase the skills, knowledge and confidence that will allow them to foster their migrants' development of social, civic and intercultural competences, while helping them to develop ownership of shared values and boost social inclusion. This will be achieved through the project's tailored and evidence-based accredited trainings and other social actions, which use creative arts combined with the values of restorative justice. The starting point of our intended, innovative training programme is the UK tested ""Culture and Art for Unity"" a user-led project, which received multiple awards by the London Mayor. It was run by the RJ4All International Institute in 2018-19, and used creative restorative justice art to increase community cohesion in a divided London area. Combined with restorative justice and creative arts, our project will bring people closer, showcasing what unites rather what divides us. This is an area that has not been developed for adult education training and which we will address via our project. These results will also include inbuilt assessment tools creating for the first time educational and training materials that are CPD accredited and which will help prevent the marginalisation and social exclusion of migrants through a positive approach that combines creative arts with restorative justice.Moreover, acknowledging that prevention of migrants' marginalisation requires a holistic approach to social inclusion and inequality, CARJ will put emphasis on connecting cultural and art organisations with civil society, and strengthening cross-sectorial cooperation. To overcome the COVID19's impact, the art and cultural sectors will be connected with restorative justice practitioners, education, social and health services, mental health and community organisations who support migrants' integration creating new market opportunities and break the silo working.CARJ also tackles the social inclusion priority, as it aims to contribute to the successful integration of migrants, a group impacted disporporionately by COVID-19. This will be achieved, by supporting the workers and professionals working with them through the development of training tools and manuals; also, by involving them directly in the project’s educational and creative activities, using art as a vehicle to support them in their integration. The project will also generate many opportunities of social action for professionals supporting migrants and migrants themselves. The planned activities will focus on empowering them to take part in the project, fostering their active citizenship and preventing their marginalisation, taking into account the European values of freedom, tolerance, equality autonomy and respect of human, social and economic rights.By the end of the project, CARJ will deliver:- 4 Intellectual Outputs (handbook, e-course, training, pilots, ebook)- 4 national and 1 international multiplier- hundreds of volunteering learning opportunities to adult learners and migrants- regular e-newsletters, press releases, a dedicated project website and social media engagement- multiple networking opportunities between cultural, art organisations and civil society as well as national and European funders and stakeholders."

Context/background of the project; There are 70,8 million forcibly displaced people in the world today, 25,9 million are refugees and 3,5 million are asylum seekers forced to leave their countries to escape war, persecution, or natural disasters. About 80% of this number of forced migrations is destined to arrive in other developing countries, which, in addition to their own social and economic challenges, struggle to develop policies and services to host these vulnerable populations. The Syrian refugee crisis is no exception to that. Since 2011, over 3,7 million refugees fleeing the civil war in Syria have been hosted in Turkey. Alongside with refugees with other nationalities, Turkey is the most refugee hosting country in the world. The inability to find employment and make a decent living, in addition to several problems pertaining to social integration, constitutes a major push factor for immigration Considering refugees -contrary to what many believe- are some of the most advanced members of their country it shows that highly-skilled population is on the move. Their main reasons for leaving their previous locations are the lack of non-exploitative employment opportunities that matched their skills, financial needs, concerns for security and protection, search for better opportunities for their children, and the hope for educational opportunities. Overviewing the current situation and rethinking the near future in the Middle East and Europe, donations and volunteers have been pouring into the refugees however stories of waste and inefficiency are becoming more common. Mostly, waste is linked to the volume of donations or disorganization. We believe that the easiest ways to build a collective response to the crisis of this kind and to prevent resources to go waste, is to provide better coordination and unity among NGOs. Therefore, we call NGOs for better unity and coordination which were resulted in a better economic, and social life, and as their children require educational and psycho-social support for refugees. Objectives; 1-) Strengthen the European and international dimension of adaptation of refugees through NGOs, 2-) Raise capacities of NGOs working with refugees by fostering cooperation, networking and exchanges of practices in the field of youth, 3-) Developing an integration map especially for young refugees living in Europe who do not have any access to social and basic information about the asylum country or has no parents or families and provide them with information and supportNumber and profile of participating organisations; 6 partners in this strategic partnership: IGAM from Turkey is the lead applicant, TERA Ankara from Turkey, IASIS from Greece, TDM 2000 from Italy, ADEL from Slovakia and Global Citizens Academy from Lithuania Description of undertaken main activities; Transnational meetings, Workshops by the participation of NGOs, Training of young refugees on I'mappy (Multiplier events), Closing conference (workshop)Results and impact attained; The project results include project’s website, I’mappy application, user guide for NGOs and survival kit for refugees. This motivates the established dissemination strategy of directing activities at the identified stakeholder groups including: Internal: Young refugees, NGOs active for refugees, Individuals supporting learning and teaching (teachers, educational developers, and more); External: Refuge related institutions of all kinds, Public authorities and policy makers (local authorities, governmental Departments and agencies, those responsible for refugee issues at all levels), Subject communities. Key specific motivation for the above groups is our belief we have something special and innovative. Main target group for I'mappy project is the young refugees. At the end of the project, it is aimed to reach many young refugees through the application I'mappy. Dissemination of this application to young refugees is the crucial point since it was a very big support for integration period of the refugees. I'mappy project does not target only young refugees in Turkey as explained through the whole document. All refugees in the project partners' countries are considered in the project. Therefore, dissemination activities were carried out for the young refugees in all partners' countries.If relevant, longer-term benefits: Application of I’mappy and websites of the project alongside with user guides and survival kits were available after the project ends. Each output was updated regularly by the lead applicant IGAM hence the project’s sustainability was ensured.