Tales of two Cities Erasmus Project

Project Title

Tales of two Cities

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 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Creativity and culture; Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; Inclusion – equity

Project Summary

We started this strategic partnership in order to explore the opportunities and power of creative methods and tools in soft skill learning. Though we had gathered quite some information and had a lot of experience working with this target group directly (some of the key figures – like Shokkin Group – almost fit in the target group), we were aware there is still a lot to learn and to discover. For that reason we worked with case studies, leading to methodology that was tested several times.

Main objective of this project was by means of research and several case studies to develop a new, sustainable method in soft skill learning with the aim to contribute structurally to the employability of deprived youth. We wanted to have a structural impact on the chances of vulnerable young people on the labor market.

Description of activities:
The project has the following activities:

8 IO’s:
-IO1 / Foundation Bricks : a publication in which we analysed the need for the project and what we were going to answer to this need. (see website: thepowerofart.eu)
-IO2-IO5 /Case Studies: training courses in photography, storytelling, music/spoken word / dance
-IO6 / Development of the PoA Methodology, based on the Case Studies and their evaluations, experiences of the trainers and some research (see website: thepowerofart.eu)
-IO7 / 4 short films that give impressions of the different training courses, the experiences of the participants and the project as a whole. (see website: thepowerofart.eu)
-IO8 / Development of a portal (in english and dutch), providing info about the project, downloadable versions of the PoA Foundation Bricks and PoA Method Manual publications, a toolbox in which one can search for activities according to discipline, phase of the training, group size and duration (to be used in combination with the information provided in the manual by trainers interested in setting up their own PoA training), images and the project videos. (see website: thepowerofart.eu)

2 Multiplier events:
E1: 13 December 2018 in Amsterdam: 39 pp in total, 21 NL and 18 UK
E2: 11 October 2019 in Liverpool (final multiplier event): 78 pp in total, 27 NL and 51 UK

3 Trainings:
C1: 12 – 15 December 2017 – a joint staff training in Liverpool (5 days; 8 participants)
C2: 9 – 16 Dec 2018 – a blended youth mobility in Amsterdam (8 days, 15 participants, 7 NL, 8 UK, 4 acc persons)
C3: 7 – 11 October 2019 – train the trainer training in Liverpool (5 days, 8 participants, 4 acc. persons) *

4 transnational meetings:
TM 1: Kick off in Amsterdam (2 days, 3 participants) – 28 September 2017
TM 2: in Liverpool (2 days, 8 participants) – 12 & 13 March 2018
TM 3: in Amsterdam (1 day, 8 participants) – 21 September 2018
TM 4: in Liverpool (2 days, 6 participants) – 12 & 13 October 2019

Results:

We have improved the capacity and capabilities of the partners and participants within the project;
We have ensured equal access and inclusion in our work;
We have developed arts engagement tools and a method that impact on reinforcing links between the youth fields with the world of work, personal/professional development and key-competences, including basic skills and transversal skills;
Have we developing new and innovative approaches and supporting the dissemination of best practices.

Results in general:

The main objective of this project was “to research and evidence several case studies in order to develop new, sustainable methods in ‘soft skill learning’ with the aim to contribute structurally to the employability of disadvantaged youth, whilst having a structural impact on the chances of vulnerable young people within the labor market”. We did achieve this, for the project has resulted in new and sustainable methods in soft skill learning that will enhance young people’s employability (whether they are disadvantaged or not) and these methods and the related tools are made available for everyone through our portal. We promised our project would provide: “Capacity building for workers and young people; High quality transferable arts engagement modules; A high quality dissemination conference; Web, social network and digital learning products; Accreditation and records of achievement for participants”. We’ve kept this promise
Furthermore: we aimed for an “European impact of this strategic partnership that would 1) evidence and support the creative cultural sector’s responses to social issues; 2) demonstrate that, and how, a European cooperation between partners who experience similar social challenges when it comes to the personal development of young people can result in tangible impacts, applicable tools and best practice models, available for everyone who is interested in creative approaches to soft skill learning, in particular when it comes to young people and their employability”. Also this goal has been reached.
Also, we do think we have improved the capacity and capabilities of the partners within the project;

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 172641,03 Eur

Project Coordinator

Stichting Shokkin’ Group Netherlands & Country: NL

Project Partners

• DW-RS PRODUCTIES
• BROUHAHA INTERNATIONAL
• Sunshine International Arts