<< Background >>Climate change and, in fact, environmental sustainability is one of the most crucial challenges in nowadays society. As stated by the EU Commission “the last two decades have witnessed 18 of the warmest years on record, and an increase of extreme weather events” (Going climate-neutral by 2050 - ML-04-19-339-EN-C). The role of youth in implementing good practices and leading sustainable lifestyles are essential to creating a change on a long-term basis and has been recognised by the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE). In particular, two of the six goals of the ACE are the main focuses of this project: education and training.We believe that professionals should play a key role in guiding young people to engage in volunteering activities as they represent the “bridge” between youth and active society.Community media are great tools to empower the young audience and vehicle important messages such as the ones related to climate change, due to their wide networking potential, sustainability, and accessibility for all; they facilitate active citizenship and enable innovative ways for e-volunteering and activism.Based on The National Youth Council of Ireland 2016’s statement “there are a lot of youth work practitioners who lack the digital skills or attitudes to fully benefit from the opportunities created by digital technologies for delivering quality youth work” and also that “many youth workers see digital media only as social media. Their understanding of the possibilities of digital media and technology should be widened” (Developing digital youth work - NC-02-18-021-EN-C). This is the reason why the main goals for this project are:Increasing digital skills and community media literacy amongst professionals working with youth, i.e. social and youth workers, mentors, trainers, tutors, school guides;Raising awareness of climate change through the engagement of youth in e-volunteering activities and activism, using community media as an innovative tool.For the above-mentioned reasons, with this project, we aim to equip social and youth workers, school guides, mentors, tutors, and, in general, professionals working with youth, with useful digital skills and tools based on community media, to promote and raise awareness amongst youth on e-volunteering and activism in the scope of climate change.<< Objectives >>One of the main innovative aspects of the ECO-Media project is its versatility: the creation of community media networks and tailored training are designed to comply with the scope of the project, i.e. climate change, but they can be adapted to any other field related to social change based on volunteering and social activities.The project aims to train professionals working with young people in using community media as a tool to enhance the quality of their work and communication as well as to raise awareness on other volunteering approaches, i.e. e-volunteering and digital activism, with a focus on climate change.The project will consist of 4 project results:R1: Descriptive map of community media approaches for digital youth workR2: Curriculum on climate changeR3: Youth work and young engagement toolkit in the scope of climate changeR4: ECO-Media e-learning platformSpecific objectives will therefore be:- To create a greater understanding of the recent situation of digital youth work around Europe, through the development of comparative analysis;- To provide the target groups with useful knowledge on youth pedagogical framework about community media and digital youth work;- To enhance the level of youth engagement through community media tools;- To create ad-hoc contents related to e-volunteering and youth engagement in climate change matters;- To support youth workers, and professional working with youth with the development of a digital toolkit on digital youth work in the scope of climate change;- To increase the motivation of youth workers on the engagement of young people in climate change and environmental challenges;- To create results that are transferable, versatile, and adaptable outside the scope of this project, to better guarantee its sustainability;- To make the partnership and cooperation of EU countries stronger, by implementing a transnational project based on common needs;- To enhance awareness of climate change through the engagement of youth in e-volunteering activities and activism, using community media as an innovative tool.<< Implementation >>The activities that will be developed to achieve the aforementioned objectives and to produce concrete project results (Rn) will be the following:- Comparative analysis on digital methodologies for youth engagement in volunteering activities (R1);- A pedagogical framework for best practices in youth work (R1);- Curriculum on youth engagement and e-volunteering through community media (R1);- Curriculum on youth work in the scope of climate change (R2);- A digital toolkit on digital youth work in the scope of climate change (R2);- 6 units for youth engagement, i.e. digital activism; E-volunteering for social challenges; networking; European opportunities for e-volunteering; community media for social responsibility; active citizenship.- 3 training units for youth workers, i.e. social media activism; engagement of young people; becoming a better youth worker/trainer/mentor.- ECO-Media e-learning platform, the means to share and make the outcomes of this project available for everyone;- Creation of dedicated social media accounts, in particular Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube;- 1 project website, with news, contacts, description of the project, its goals and objectives, useful links, and updates;- Creation of several promotion materials, newsletters, press conferences, and publications.<< Results >>Concrete results for this project will be:1. R1: Descriptive map of community media approaches for digital youth work, aiming at a more comprehensive understanding of youth work in the frame of community media and digital methodologies, through the creation of a pedagogical framework and the development of a database of community media;2. R2: Curriculum on climate change: aiming at the creation of a digital toolkit on digital youth work in the scope of climate change, to be included in the e-learning platform (R4) and to identify successful methodologies to engage youth in environmental sustainability matters;3. R3: Youth work and young engagement toolkit in the scope of climate change - the structure and the content of the e-learning platform (R4). It will involve the creation of 3 training units that will guide youth workers in their daily tasks as well as 6 units for young people engagement in e-volunteering and digital activism;4. R4: ECO-Media e-learning platform - it will include the outcomes of the other project results including - user-free registration system, divided into two separate entries, one for the youth workers (who will be able to access all of the 9 training units) and one for the young people, potential e-volunteers and digital activists (who will access their dedicated 6 units); - digital toolkit on digital youth work in the scope of climate change (R2); - digital animations, video, for the correct usage of the platform; - forum.4TPMs will be held throughout the project and each hosted by one partner organisation that will attend with 2 representatives. The meeting will be organised at key project milestones, to check on the progress, achievements, and conduct quality and evaluation controls. In this way, we can ensure a smooth implementation of the project activities, guarantee clear and transparent communication, and adjust working methodologies when and if needed.Relevant dissemination activities will be better described in its specific, dedicated section, and they will include, for example, press conferences, newsletters, social media posts sharing, and the organisation of 5 Multiplier Events.

"<< Background >>Teachers train their students into life both academically and socially as a result of their duty. However, in this changing world, both teachers and students are experiencing problems that ruin work rhythm. At the top of these, there is addiction. Today, an addiction, causes great destruction both on individuals and in society, spreads rapidly despite religion, language, race differences. As well as being the whole society’s concern, it stands in front of us as a growing problem day by day.There is a growth in the use of alcohol and illegal drugs among European youngsters and that is a problem that all countries should do something about it. When we look at drug use in Europe, we see that a much wider range of substances is used than in the past. Polydrug consumption is widespread among drug users.According to the 2019 year’s data of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA), it is estimated that about 96 million people in the European Union or 29% of the adult population (age range 15-64) are trying illegal drugs at some point in their lives. According to the report published by EMCDDA in 2017; The two major surveys conducted with 15- to 16-year-old school students aimed to compare the use of cannabis and other substances by European and American children. According to this survey, European youth consume more alcohol and tobacco products, while American students consume much more cannabis than alcohol and tobacco.In the global context, Europe is an important market for drugs, supplied from both domestic production and trafficking from other world regions. Some drugs and precursors are transited through the European route to other continents. Young people are an important target group for many drug interventions.Along with the career, adulthood and education problems that young people face, the stress factor occurring within the lockdown measures of COVID19 has also affected substance use. According to the study conducted in 2020 (Vanderbruggen et. al.), the consumption of alcohol and tobacco increased during the lockdown times. In addition, 41% of young people taking part in a study conducted in the Netherlands expressed that they used substances more than they used to before COVID-19 (Trimbos Instituut, 2020). Furthermore, the impact of guidance and counselling services, especially for students and young people, due to the lockdown measures that are in force and inadequate use of digital online channels, drastically decreased. As for an addicted students' school success, it inevitably starts to degrade after he becomes addicted. Since an addicted student cannot communicate clearly with people around him, he becomes more and more isolated and enters a cycle of depression along with concrete results of the addiction seen in his life.<< Objectives >>The EDU MAP project aims to prepare and train school teachers in recognizing addiction and be well-informed on what steps to take next, thus helping students who have addiction problems by assessing the need for intervention.This project aims to offer innovative solutions along with providing an evaluation of addiction problem which occurs to be an international problem. Essentially, the project will combine quantitative and qualitative methods in order to provide the best possible answers for policymakers. Besides, EU countries have committed to reducing the average share of addicted individuals to less than 10% by 2020 because the latest research monitor showed that young people (students) who are addicted or tend to be addicted without recognized qualifications are disadvantaged and there are nearly 5,5 million addicted individuals across Europe and the average unemployment rate amongst them is about 40%; which makes the situation even more emergent considering the effects of COVID19 had on substance use, the wellbeing of young people and unemployment rates. So, with its international qualification, this project will play a significant role in terms of helping both young people, youth workers, families and authorities in dealing with addiction.Concreate objectives of the EDU MAP project are: 1. To increase awareness/knowledge of teachers to understand substance abuse of youth, and to increase knowledge of differences between dependence, abuse and addiction, recognize signs of them by providing methodology, guidelines and tools 2. To provide teachers and other school staff with materials, methodology, guidelines and tools 3. To increase the knowledge of the strategy of prevention of substance abuse and dependence. 4. To increase the knowledge of consequences of substance abuse/dependence at personal, peer, family and societal levels by creating a guidebook that defines social symptoms of substance abuse for school communities5. To create an international network of professionals working in the field of substance misuse.<< Implementation >>The project consortium will follow the listed activities during the implementation of the EDU MAP project.1) PMI activities A1: Signing of the grant agreement with the National Agency and bilateral agreementsA2: Formalization of the project teamsA3: Production and implementation of the project management manual A4: Establishment of online communication tool for sharing files, project calendar, dedicated mailing listA5: Finalisation of an open interactive communication strategyA6: Development of effective financial monitoring mechanisms, elaboration of reporting forms for 6 month-based financial monitoringA7: Dissemination strategy and material (national dissemination materials will be leaflets, poster, roll-up, etc. customized in accordance with the national needs of the partners) A8: Desing a multilingual website of the projectA9: Quality strategy and control A10: Establishment of the advisory board with experts in education, health services, consultancy, psychiatry, psychotherapy, medicineA11: Preparation of IPR agreement with free and open access results A12: Creation of sustainability plan for core activities and resultsA13: Prepare progress/interim and final report 2) Project results activitiesR1: Reference Handbook for Substance AbuseDevelopment of methodologyDesk research for national substance abuse strategy; laws and offences about substance abuse and dependence in 7 countries Creation of the chapters in the reference handbookAdvisory board meetings to collect feedback from expertsCreation of the R1 in English Translation of the R1 into national languages Design and print of the paper brochureR2: Educational supportive videos for school teachersDevelopment of methodology Storyboard creation for 4 educational supportive videosVisualization of the storyboard content, image drawings, etc.Translation of the texts using in the videos into national languagesEnglish voice-over record and adding to master videoAdvisory board meetings to collect feedback from experts Voice-over record in partners languages Creation of 4 different videos in 8 languages (EN + all partners languages)Upload videos to YouTube channel Design and print of the paper brochure R3: Guidebook to define psychological symptoms of substance abuse Development of methodologyCreation of the chapters in the guidebookAdvisory board meetings to collect feedback from experts Creation of the R3 in English Translation of the result into national languages Design and print of the paper brochureR4: Guidebook to define social symptoms of substance abuseDevelopment of methodology Creation of the chapters in the guidebookAdvisory board meetings to collect feedback from experts Creation of the R4 in English Translation of result into national languagesDesign and print of the paper brochureR5: Preventive education online toolkit for teachersDevelopment of methodology Storyboard creation for the online toolkit Online toolkit and learning platform creationTranslation of the texts using in the online toolkit and learning platform into national languages Uploading developed materials into the online toolkit and learning platformAdvisory board meetings to collect feedback from experts Test of the online toolkit and learning platform with registered teachers in the platformAccessibility revisions, usability maintenance of the online toolkit and learning platform Design and print of the paper brochure3) Multiplier eventsArrange ""Addiction Prevention in Education Seminar"" in all 7 partners countriesArrange ""Substance Abuse Prevention in Education Conference"" in Lithuania<< Results >>- ""Result-1: Reference Handbook for Substance Abuse"" will prepare to use by school teachers and it will be a unique design with a comprehensive, educational approach on the subject of substance use, abuse, and dependence, with emphasis on prevention.- There will be educational video series for school teachers (Result-2) about the practical guideline with problems, preventions, real stories, and educational tools.- ""Result-3: Guidebook to define psychological symptoms of substance abuse"" will be an educational resource for teachers to define psychological symptoms of substance abuse practically in the school environment. - ""Result-4: Guidebook to define social symptoms of substance abuse"" will be an educational resource for teachers to define social symptoms of substance abuse practically in the school environment. - ""Result-5: Preventive education online toolkit for teachers"" will design to use in lessons by the teachers in primary, secondary and high schools. This toolkit will define learning objectives, methodologies, contents, additional resources with innovative ways in school education.Tangible results are:1. R1: Reference handbook for substance abuse - National substance abuse strategies - Laws and offences about substance abuse and dependence - Reference handbook - Chapter I. Dependence, abuse, and addiction - Chapter II. Main reasons for teen substance abuse - Chapter III. Substance abuse signs and symptoms - Chapter IV. Substance abuse facts and statistics - Chapter V. Short and long term effects of substance abuse - Chapter VI. Legal medications without a prescription - Paper brochure2. R2: Educational supportive videos for school teachers - Supportive whiteboard animation videos in 8 languages (EN + all partners languages) - Video 1. Health and social responses to substance abuse problems - Video 2. How can teachers prevent substance abuse? - Video 3. The truth of drugs, real stories - Video 4. Effective drug education tools - Paper brochure3. R3: Guidebook to define psychological symptoms of substance abuse - Guidebook - Chapter I. How severe do substance abuse affect psychological conditions? - Chapter II. Psychological effects of substance abuse on the individual - Chapter III. Links between substance abuse and mental health - Chapter IV. Emotional effects of substance abuse on the individual - Chapter V. Short-term and long-term physical and psychological signs of substance use on students - Chapter VI. Practical tips to teachers - Paper brochure4. R4: Guidebook to define social symptoms of substance abuse - Guidebook - Chapter I. Social issues in the home and family life - Chapter II. Social issues in a school atmosphere - Chapter III. Social issues in personality and relationships - Paper brochure5. R5: Preventive substance abuse education online toolkit for teachers - Online toolkit - Online tool1. Helping students stay drug/harmful material free - Online tool2. Lesson plans for primary schools - P3 and P7 - Online tool3. Lesson plans for secondary schools - P4 and P6 - Online tool4. Lesson plans for high schools - Online learning platform6. Project management manual 7. Online communication tool8. Communication strategy9. Dissemination strategy, dissemination materials and dissemination report10. Multilingual website of the project 11. Quality strategy, checklists and quality report12. Advisory board meetings' reports13. Sustainability plan and sustainability report14. Minutes of transnational partner meetings15. Records of online events"