Stop being couch potatoes! Developing social and entrepreneurial skills for Neets Erasmus Project

Project Title

Stop being couch potatoes! Developing social and entrepreneurial skills for Neets

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 adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

The principal goal of the project entitled „Stop being couch potatoes! Developing social and entrepreneurial skills for NEETs” was to create international cooperation to develop intellectual outputs and earn practical experiences during pilot studies. Our aim was to work on adequate learning methods, in partner countries, how to develop social and entrepreneurial skills for adults named NEETs. The project duration: 01-10-2018 – 30-06.2021 (project end date was extended considering COVID – 19).
Target group are young adults – people aged between 18 and 35 who are not employed, not engaged in housework, not enrolled in school or work-related training, and not seeking work. NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training. Neet is heterogeneous group: the conventionally unemployed, the unable (for different reasons to be active in work or in education e.g. disabled), the disengaged (group not willing to undertake any activity), the opportunity-seekers, voluntary NEETs (making a gap year).
Project partnership group is as the following:
Coordinator: Transfer Slovensko (privat educational institution) – Slovakia
Partners: Voivodeship Labour Office in Katowice – Poland, Foundation Work from Bed (marketing agency) – Poland, Eurocircle Association (NGO) – France
The Gender Information Centre NORA, o.p.s. (NGO) – Czech Republic, University Foundation San Antonio (private university) – Spain, Young Initiative Association (NGO) – Romania.
The project was carried out transnationally in order to share practical experiences and find out the best solutions in learning methods in the field of social and entrepreneurial skills dedicated to NEETs.
Summary of project intellectual outputs:
01.A1. Comparative analyses; 01.A2. Creation of network of mediators; 01.A3. Practical experiences.
With regard to 01.A1. Comparative analyses and research
− Research carried out from January to March 2019r.
− 6 questionnaires in each partner country: Czech Republic, Frane, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain
− Total number: 36 tests with NEETs
Thanks to the research we found out:
– how to reach Neets: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Thematic websites, Labour Office, Cafes or pubs.
– 80% respondents NEET had the professional experience(duration form 1 months– 2 years);
– Chances on the labour market: 50% respondents negatively assessed chances on the labour market;
– 26 (72,2%) respondents evaluated, that their relatives had a significant impact on them (parents, siblings) – they could help to choose the professional path and monitor their progress.
Relating to 01.A2. Creation of network of mediators
Partners selected 18 local mediators from 6 countries. Partners made the list with names of local leaders in sport, culture, that could influence inactive young people on their own ground and encourage them to act.
As to 01.A3. Practical experiences
Partners selected 18 good practices in the field of social and entrepreneurial competences in their countries, e.g.: from Czech Republic – Competence Kaleidoscope, from France – Debate and Convince, from Poland – Peasant Business School, from Romania – European Parliamentarian for a Day, from Slovakia – Support for young job applicants, from Spain – Civil Pilot of RPAS – DRONES.
All reports from the realisation of the mentioned above work package are available on the website: https://wupkatowice.praca.gov.pl/-/9357081-wstan-z-kanapy-
02.A1. On-line collaborative platform
The main objective of this work package was to facilitate the modernization and improvement of teaching methods and enable the communication through social media. It is Innovative IT tool where NEETs and trainers learn and teach content of courses;
All project results are disseminated thanks to the following channels:
− On-line project platform: https://areyouacouchpotato.com
− Youtube channel
− Fanpage “Motivation from The Couch”, który jest umieszczony na Facebook “Motivation from The Couch”:https://www.facebook.com/MotivationFromTheCouch
− Films:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYC75zP2sLkvWztubadM7lg/videos
− Partner project webistes: e.g. VLO in Katowice, Poland : http://wupkatowice.praca.gov.pl/-/9357081-wstan-z-kanapy-
− Multiplier events – on-line conference in Poland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wlL6SY8U5M
03.A1. Scenarios for local workshops (one scenarios in the field of social and one scenarios in the field of entrepreneurial skills); 03.A2 train the trainers; 03.A3. Local workshops
Partners elaborated 12 scenarios (each partner prepared 2 scenarios):
6 in the field of social, 6 in the field of entrepreneurial competences). On the basis of scenarios partners organized worshops for Neets and trainers in their countries.
Scenarios were the most creative part of work in the project. All scenarions are available on the project platform: https://areyouacouchpotato.com/workshops/
04. Toolkit for trainers and NEETs (04.A1. Practical handbook for teachers, 04.A2. Practical manual for students)
The handbook for trainers and practical manual for NEETs is available on the project website. Material based on elaborated scenarios in the output 03; comprises methodical instructions of communication and how to build relationsthip with young people.
05. CV video
Professional CV video with representative form Neets, was prepared in national languages by each partner country.
06. The movie the „success story”
Partners selected one person from local mediators in order to make a movie „success story”.
07. Webinars
All webinars are available on the project website and may constitute the introduction or supplement to the lessons/workshops.
The realization of all results was discussed during partner meetings:
− Kick – off meeting in Katowice, 25 – 28 November 2018
− Partner meeting in Bratislava (Slovakia), 13 – 16 March 2019
− Partner meeting in Marseille (France), 05 – 08 November 2019
− Partner meeting in Bucharest (Romania), 23 – 26 June 2019
− Partner meeting in Brno (Czech Republic) , 10 – 11 March 2020
− Partner meeting in Murcia (Spain), 25 June 2021
Partners from Spain, Romania, and Poland realized Multiplier events. Poland and Spain in virtual form (covid19), partner from Rumania realized 3 events as a direct events with participants.

Project Website

http://www.areyouacouchpotato.com

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 139862 Eur

Project Coordinator

TRANSFER Slovensko & Country: SK

Project Partners

• EUROCIRCLE ASSOCIATION
• Genderove informacni centrum NORA, o.p.s.
• FUNDACION UNIVERSITARIA SAN ANTONIO
• Fundacja Leze i Pracuje
• Asociatia Young Initiative
• Wojewodzki Urzad Pracy w Katowicach