Non – formal learning in the Formal Education system Erasmus Project

Project Title

Non – formal learning in the Formal Education system

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 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation

Project Summary

The formal education system cannot meet the need that the fast developing world we currently live in both in terms of employment and civil skills. The World Bank has released a report in 2018 (which was a base for this project) with the key messages:
-Schooling is not the same as learning.
-Schooling without learning is not just a wasted opportunity, but a great injustice.
-There is nothing inevitable about low learning in low- and middle-income countries.
On the other hand there is the non-formal learning to compliment the formal education system but still, the skills acquired outside of the formal education and training system are often not documented or formally recognised. With this project we believe we succeeded to:
1. To create an environment and int. network where good practices are further developed and shared among the partnering countries and across Europe in the field of non-formal education happening in the formal education system (outside the regular curriculum) addressing and developing life skills that are critical for the personal and professional development of the young people in Europe, through developing youth workers, teachers in the community. 2. To identify which are the key competencies teachers should develop in order to be successful youth workers in the schools and be a driver for extracurricular activities and social work, that compliments and further develops the non-formal learning in the school. 3. To collect, structure and disseminate good practices in the field of non-formal education that support the school vision for development as a centre for learning and personal development, where the non-formal learning has part. An online handbook containing good practices of the non-formal learning that happens in the formal education system, was developed and distributed to schools in the network of the partners and organisations all partners are working with as well as is available for all others to promote the non-formal learning, its validation and necessity in order to develop key life skills in the today’s young people.
We have organised and delivered 4 short term training activities attended by 61 youth workers (also teachers), who have further explored the non-formal learning happening in the school and strengthen their competencies and motivate them to be role models for their colleagues. These 61 teachers-youth workers have been multipliers, motivators and inspiration for at least 1 000 more, while working with more than 500 youngsters directly, providing them quality non-formal learning. Well-structured and diverse short term training activities were developed and agreed with the 4 partners, which aimed first to give space to hear and see good practices of the youth workers development and support in the schools, as well as stimulate a fruitful discussion regarding the key lessons and preconditions that the non-formal learning need in order to happen in one school. The methodology was both based on the “The Duke of Edinburgh’s international Award” framework, with 60 years of experience, working in 130 countries and the non-formal methods which stimulate discussions, experiential and peer to peer learning. The impact of the direct participants was that they were equipped with knowhow, specific approaches and real experience in the field of youth work that can be performed, resourced and facilitated in the schools. They are better qualified youth workers, that can work with young people and support their personal development outside the regular school curriculum, based on the experience, dissemination activities and have contributed to the awareness for the youth work specifics and importance on local, regional and int. level. The 4 partners have built their org. capacity and now have new methods and approaches in order to widen the program and reach even more young people offering quality non-formal learning experience and validation of skills and competencies gained through it. Even more they have the infrastructure (tools, working youth workers) that will ensure their work in the field in the future. On international level the 4 partners have presented the results within their national network, with other org-s and schools, as well as with all 130 countries, where the Award works, through internal social platforms, regional and online meetings. The longer term benefits can be listed as: – Raise the awareness that “Learning does not happen only in the classroom” and the teachers are good and reliable youth workers, that can address specific learning needs by the non-formal learning; – Standardise and working good practices of the non-formal learning in the school system on national policy level in order to have their approval and resources in the future; – Created space for sharing and interaction for 4 organisation that are a great base for more future initiatives and projects, with different experience, history and culture, but with common beliefs and values.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 68765 Eur

Project Coordinator

Mezhdunarodna nagrada na hertsoga na Edinburg – Balgaria & Country: BG

Project Partners

• the International Award for Young People, the Netherlands
• LIETUVOS VAIKU IR JAUNIMO CENTRAS VI
• The Duke of Edinburghs International Award Czech Republic Foundation, o.p.s.