Innovative Youth Work 2.0 Erasmus Project

Project Title

Innovative Youth Work 2.0

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Labour market issues incl. career guidance / youth unemployment; Civic engagement / responsible citizenship; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

The project aims at strengthening the employability and employment of the young people who are at risk of exclusion. This is done by building a model of a youth service platform which will successfully function as an interlinking unit with holistic coaching, non-formal education, labor markets, family and other youth services. The project strengthens the partners’ leadership skills and implementation of internationalization strategies. The project activities respond to the needs of the target groups through a wide range of interventions. As the paths to employment become easier, entrepreneurship and orientation will be strengthened. The project:

1) promotes service effective integration platforms that address the multi-disciplinary needs of the target group and are able to assist them at a low threshold. The platforms combine intensive coaching, mentoring, peer support and volunteering skills with young people. The activities also include community coaching, training in which the project can involve local community to catch the local target groups and families. The aim is to streamline employment pathways for young people in the target group.

2) builds an electronic co-development platform that can work on developing local pilots, sharing knowledge between partners and building common understanding. The platform can also serve as a basis of training for staff and youth. It will also be a co-development platform for partner organizations and outsiders. The platform can be used for example to organize online training and co-development workshops to disseminate project results.

During the project period, 150 young people from the target groups will participate in the project’s thematic development processes and pilots. The project produces the following Intellectual Outputs: 1) Integrated multi-functional service platform – model, 2) Electronic Multilingual Learning Environment. For those working with youth from participating organizations, three Short-term Joint Staff Training events will be conducted with 18 employees. Transnational project meetings are leading the way in project development. Three be will be organized with the participation of 45 representatives of partner organizations and partner organizations supporting the project development processes in the participating countries. In addition, there will be six multiplier events involving 126 participants from outside the project.

The project utilizes the following methods in working with youth and developing operating models.
1) intensive coaching model, based on appreciative interaction and encounter methods and strength- based coaching, aims at appreciative encounter and impact on employment paths of the youth. Coaching supports young people and their families.
2) mentoring models for young people will be developed in the project. Mentors can be, for example, youth work professionals, volunteers or corporate employees.
3) project development measures utilize Co-design and Service Design operating models. All development processes are inclusive and the young people of the target group are involved at all stages of the planning process. The implementation utilizes the partnerships of the partner organizations’ business cooperation.

As a result of the project, a functional service integration service has been built in the structures of the project partners. Cooperation between the NGOs and the public sector has been intensified. The service package has resulted in a better targeted support for young people a shift in risk-prevention activities and a reintegration of young people into follow-up structures through social rehabilitation. In cooperation with actors and the network, practices and models for identifying and meeting the service needs of young people in the target group have been developed and adherence to youth services has been strengthened. Based on the needs the project has built a youth-oriented service culture as part of its practical activities. Project staff and collaborative networks have developed, together with the target group’s young people, policies that have promoted smooth employment paths.

The results of the project can be utilized in regional development in areas similar to those of the partners. Findings and results can be disseminated through regional networks and media. Partners will use their decision-making contacts to bring forward findings and results at EU level. In addition, the results of the project are widely communicated through online channels and social media, and expert publications on the thematic areas of the project are carried out.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 149148 Eur

Project Coordinator

HELSINGIN DIAKONISSALAITOKSEN SAATIO SR & Country: FI

Project Partners

• The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development
• Circolo Arci Babilonia APS