Children at risk: (Non-formal) Education, Experience, Efficiency Erasmus Project

Project Title

Children at risk: (Non-formal) Education, Experience, Efficiency

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for youth

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy) ; International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

The project CARE3: Children at risk: (Non-formal) Education, Experience, Efficiency is focused on:- building up community-based networks, which operates effectively and problems concerning youth are solved efficiently;- increase youth work quality by creating effective cooperation in community and international level and by professional development of specialists from both experience of other and specific training; – spotlight the importance and use of non-formal and informal learning;- increase social inclusion of children at risk in order to build up effectively functioning network project partners have chosen one common goal – to increase social inclusion and social skills of youth at risk, since well-developed social skills are positively linked to behavior, academic performance and relationships (Jones & Bouffard, 2012) and allow large number of youth to increase their inclusion and possibilities for being happy member of community.Project was implemented in partnership of 5 organizations from four countries – Estonia, Latvia, Norway and Poland. In addition to official partners (Jõgeva Elementary School, Jõgeva Town Government, Hordaland Police District, Radom Technical School and Valmiera Viesturs Secondary School), there were several associate partners involved from every country (Regional Police Headquarters of Radom, “Arka” Youth Centre Assosiation and Youth Clubs of Radom, Valmiera Youth Centre Vinda, Vidzeme Regional police department of State police Vamieras district, Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, South Prefecture, Sandsli vgs(School in Bergen, ages 13-16 years) Ra Skole (Basic School in Bergen, ages 13-16 years) MOBY-stiftelsen (Foundation in Bergen aimed at creating positive youth environment in Ytrebygda municipality), Norwegian Narcotics Officer Association etc.)
Main activities:
Project was implemented through four activity packages. As a result of AP1 “Management and co-ordination” 12 local and 4 international project meetings were held, in order to ensure proper management, activities coordination and budget control. As a result of AP2 “Increasing the knowledge and professional competence of involved specialists” co-vision group leader training was conducted; specialists participated in 2 international joint teaching/training/study events; best practices and new knowledge were exchanged and integrated into specialists every-day work and introduced to wider spectrum of specialists in local seminars/ workshops. Under AP3 “Pilot actions targeted to youth” 2 combined study trips for children at risk were organized (altogether to 40 children); fun and interactive workshops on social skills have been conducted by participating specialists; minimum 2 local events in every country per year; altogether 8 events targeted to children at risk is organized by/or in cooperation with local youth centers. As a result of AP3 development of children´ social skills have been supported and children have given opportunity to gain practical experiences, skills on how to act in situations and cope with feelings through playful methods. As a result of AP4 “Elaboration of materials/intellectual outputs” 1 web-site/ blog free of charge to exchange information, and present project outcomes have been created. 1 social skills curriculum that can be used in schools as separate lesson (in 3 languages: ENG, EST, LAT) and 1 board game (card game) to support and develop social skills of students through entertaining format have been elaborated. 4 short film clip(s) from youth to youth on prevention and social skills and promotional clips about non-formal learning activities in youth centres/schools have been crated.
Immediate impact for participating specialists (youth workers, social pedagogues, psychologists, youth police, etc.) was obtaining new knowledge and novel skills (from learning/training/teaching(experience exchange activities) that can be used immediately in every day work providing more professional service to children involved. Having more every-day contacts on local level had impact in strengthening local networks of youth workers. Activities had also immediate impact to participating children who were able to communicate better within the community and their families as their social skills were strengthened and new positive experiences, friends and contacts obtained. All that has lead to immediate increase in social inclusion and improved positive image of children and also improved relationships with teachers and peers. Better knowledge English language as result of foreign language communication in international events have expanded their possibilities for communication outside of their immediate contact circle.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 117609 Eur

Project Coordinator

Jõgeva Põhikool & Country: EE

Project Partners

• Valmiera Viesturs Secondary school
• Jõgeva Linnavalitsus
• Zespol Szkol Technicznych
• Police in Norway