Climate change, global warming, environmental pollution and issues related to sustainability are the biggest challenges of the 21th century. More than ever, we need to concentrate on the issue of environmental awareness and we should use all resources in our hands. The Play for Sustainable Environment project aims to develop innovative youth work methods to raise awareness on the importance of environmental sustainability through sport-based non-formal education. Our initiative targets youth leaders, youth workers, NGO staff , educators and young people in order to develop their understanding, skills and competences to link sport-based education to environmental sustainability. The innovative approach of the project allows youth organizations from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin-America to exchange good practices, knowledge and methodology in the field of sport-based non-formal education, thus also strengthening capacities for increased levels of global action. Innovative practices to promote environmental awareness through outdoor activities and education through sport based games will be developed, tested and disseminated through the 18 months duration of the project. Main objectives:• Create a transnational platform for sharing, exchanging and transferring knowledge, information and good practices in relation to sport-based non-formal education and youth-led environmental sustainability; • Develop and test innovative sport-based, non-formal educational methods to raise awareness on environmental challenges;• Up-skill youth leaders, educators, youth workers, NGO staff to increase knowledge, skills and competences in order to promote environmental awareness through outdoor activities; • Provide non-formal learning and mobility opportunities for European, African, Latin-American and Asian young people (including those with fewer opportunities) to develop their skills and competences in relation to environmental sustainability; • Build capacity of participating youth organizations and promote their internationalization strategies. The objectives of the project will be reached by implementing the following interrelated and interconnected activities: Kick-Off Meeting, Transnational Mapping Activity, Training Course, Job Shadowing, Youth Exchange, Local Dissemination and Closing Seminar. From these activities tangible outcomes will be generated such as: educational manual, good practice database, video-interviews and articles. These outcomes, together with the website and social media channel, will be useful for dissemination activities and for enhancing the sustainability of the project and to reaching out to potential target groups.

Project title: BOCOTO - Boosting Community-based Tourism and Youth Work for Global Sustainable DevelopmentDuration1/11/2018 - 5/5/2021The project proposed an international capacity building program by exposing participants to various aspects of “community-based tourism” & youth work from different countries & organizations from Italy, Spain, Nepal, Vietnam, Turkey, India & Kenya. Through a transnational approach, the project was examining concepts & practices underpinning “community-based tourism - CBT” & its potential in the youth field in all targeted local communities & regions. Perspectives on CBT was explored through a holistic concept of protection & valorisation of biodiversity, cultural diversity, local development and the promotion of human rights. The project was engaging youth organizations & stakeholders to work together to develop & promote CBT as a catalyst for inclusive & sustainable economic growth, youth employment, social inclusion, well-being & poverty reduction, while at the same time protecting cultural values and the natural heritage.Target groups- Youth workers and young leaders who work in community-based projects with & for young people & that are interested in community-based tourism and sustainable development.Final beneficiariesRural communities involved in the project, who can benefit from increased touristic activities bringing local economic & social benefits.General objectiveTo strengthen the capacity of youth organisations & local communities to promote community-based tourism in rural and remote areas.Specific objective- To enhance the socio-professional development of youth workers and organisations to promote CBT in their local communities and regions.- To encourage the exchange of experiences, community approaches and organisational cooperation among youth organisations from EU, Asia & Africa in the field of youth work and CBT.Results achieved- Increased socio-professional development of youth workers who are equipped with knowledge, key competences & employable tools on “community-based tourism & sustainable development” through different cultural perspectives, educational approaches and community experiences from different regions of the World.- Increased transnational cooperation, exchange of good practices and capacity building between youth workers, organizations and NGOs active in the sustainable development field from different World context.Outputs- BOCOTO learning platform: an open educational resource targeting young people and youth workers and serving as a key tool in the awareness-raising on the CBT concept, in the promotion of 'community-based tourism' packages and in reaching the audience of young people & responsible travellers interested in taking part. - Sustainable Development and Community-based Tourism Training Manual: presenting a full learning module of non-formal learning activities on Sustainable Development and Community based tourism, designed for international context for the benefit of youth workers and trainers who aim to enhance the competences of young people on SD and CBT.- BOCOTO Catalogue: including CBT packages developed and offered by partners (2 weeks, 1 month and 3 months duration) characterised by holistic discovery of cultural diversity, natural products and gastronomy, while giving opportunity for travellers in the engagement of local social, educational and environmental initiatives.- Country analyses on CBT in 7 partner countries: SWOT analysis of resources & good practices in the local contexts.Mobility activities including a TC & a final seminar in Italy (Caltanissetta), study visits in India (Bhubaneswar & Odisha), Kenya (Kisumu), Nepal (Palpa), Spain (Elche), Turkey (Istanbul), Vietnam (Hanoi & Ha Giang).

Grapes of Wrath (GoW) was a capacity building project for youth workers that aimed to explore and deconstruct patterns of psychological and social tension between in-groups and out-groups with particular reference to migrant communities in the EU. More specifically, GoW attempted to promote intergroup contact by conveying the agony of outsiders and inspiring empathy, using the art of movie making as a tool for communication. The story of the Joad family from “The Grapes of Wrath”, 1939, the classic inter-war novel of John Steinbeck, and the revolutionary songs of Woody Guthrie about peace, equity and freedom were the starting point for developing a state of the art training module about inclusion using non-formal education.Needs AnalysisGoW started from empirical evidence and collective reflection of the partner organizations pointing to misinformation as a main impediment for effective tackling the rising inflow of African migrants in the EU. Misinformation refers to perceptions of citizens in host societies about migrants’ needs and to expectations of citizens in origin communities about the actual prospects in destination countries. It leads to stereotypical images that obstruct meaningful contact and, thereof, integration of migrant population in host communities. In turn, this results in low quality of life of migrants through social discrimination, unemployment or precarious labour and unequal access to state resources (education, healthcare etc.). However, the reconceptualisation of migrants’ role is equally crucial for addressing EU’s own multiple crises –political (rise of extremism), economic (inequality across and within MS) and social (demographic deficit).Aims & ObjectivesGRAPES OF WRATH aimed to enable contact between migrants and hosting communities in the EU and to foster informed decisions of potential migrants in African countries regarding the trip and life in Europe. In specific, it managed to:1. Raise awareness of hosting communities in partner countries about migrants’ stories and perceptions;2. Foster deeper understanding about the process, reasons and psychological impact of migration;3. Tackle needs of origin communities, thus, contributing to containing irregular migration;4. Encourage socioeconomic development of both origin and destination countries.Activities & MethodsAll project activities were based on non-formal education and informal learning. The project implemented 7 mobility activities (2 training courses and 5 study visits including field research) involving 72 participants, the production of a documentary film, 15 local events and one final international event. The main learning methods were experiential learning, learning by doing, peer learning, task based learning, learning through arts, observation and job shadowing.DeliverablesAs part of the GoW, a training module of non-formal learning, a documentary film about African migrants' journey and life in the EU, and a report were delivered.

"The project focuses on community-based organizations (CBOs) that are young people-driven and work with/for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and children in marginalized and peripherical areas in Africa and EU: (Italy (Palermo & Enna), Turkey (Istanbul), Greece (Athens), Kenya (Kisumu), Senegal (Ziguinchor), Zambia (Livingstone), Ghana (Tamale), Uganda (Kampala), South Africa (Pretoria), Zimbabwe (Masvingo). In line with identified learning needs , well-planned capacity-building actions are needed to increase the capacity & key competences of youth-based CBOs to respond successfully to the current challenges affecting youth in their local communities. As a result of the socio-professional development of their young leaders, CBOs can function more efficiently and effectively.Target group- Young leaders who work with / for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and children, that are engaged in youth-CBOs operating in the targeted areas in EU & Africa. Overall objective- To engage youth-community based organizations and young leaders to become change agents and play a constructive role in marginalized areas in EU and Africa.Specific objective- To enhance the capacity of youth community-based organizations and young leaders to work with and for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in marginalized areas in EU & Africa.Expected results- Launched, tested & developed a capacity building program on “youth work, project management, leadership and community development”.- Increased socio-professional development of N.66 young leaders involved in TCs and N.36 involved in job shadowing activities, that are equipped with knowledge, key competences & employable tools to be applied in their daily work with/for vulnerable young people & children.- Enhanced international cooperation, exchange of good practices & capacity building between 102 young leaders, 11 community-based organizations & local stakeholders working in the field of youth & community development in EU and Africa.Work plan (WPs)- WP1: Management.- WP2: Needs analysis in all targeted local communities.- WP3: The capacity building program engaging young leaders from all participating countries in EU & Africa.TC in Italy. Title ""Project Cycle Management and community development""TC in Kenya. Title ""Child Rights-Based Approach: Turning Principles into Practice"" TC in Ghana. Title ""Youth work: leadership, coaching and international volunteering""TC in Italy. Title ""Fundraising & digital storytelling""Job shadowing activities in Italy, Turkey, Greece, Senegal, Zambia, Uganda, South Africa , Zimbabwe.WP4_Development of Open Educational Resources: an e-learning platform and learning resources on “youth work, project management, leadership and community development” that incorporate community practices and approaches from the organizations involved in EU and Africa. - WP5: Communication, dissemination & exploitation.- WP6: Evaluation of social impact."

The project aims at fostering cooperation and exchange in the field of youth between Programme Countries and non-EU Countries involving youth organisations focussing on increasing communicative, creative and inclusive skills. The project sees the importance of creative and inclusive communication to increase the competences of youth workers to have the possibility to face the main youth issues of our times together with the youngsters. The project also responds to the need of an increasing diversifying and international world, which asks not only to be able to communicate but also to develop intercultural awareness and skills. Draw your thoughts aims to offer innovative tools and methods for youth work focused on development of knowledge and competences on how to involve, include and empower youngsters with fewer opportunities by using the benefits & potential of graphic facilitation & Storytelling. More specifically, the project aims to train youth workers in the use of Graphic Facilitation & Storytelling to promote innovative communication through international collaboration, to empower youngsters by enhancing their skills and competences, and to raise competitiveness of the youth sector. The main activities consist of local research done by youth workers at the first stage of the project, followed by a training course, local workshops and a job shadowing period. During the workshops, the focus will start on personal development and be followed by raising awareness campaigns on identified social issues. These campaigns will be organized in collaboration with educational institutions and youth centers. In this way, the cooperation between youth organizations both at local and international level is strengthened, ensuring local synergies which will give sustainability to the project activities. Moreover, the social and professional skills and experiences of youth workers and youngsters they work with will be enhanced. The final outcome will be an OER collecting the experiences and results of the workshops, including the intercultural experience, as well as tools and tips to organize an awareness campaign. These results will be presented in local dissemination events and one international final event in Senegal.Draw your thoughts will provide to youth workers and youngsters with fewer opportunities new social and professional competences, that they can use in their future work and life, increasing their chances on the job market and - at the same - time - it will improve the quality of youth work.