The Future of Youth Work Erasmus Project

Project Title

The Future of Youth Work

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: Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); International cooperation, international relations, development cooperation; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

Firstly it must be noted the project was not completes. It was unfairly terminated by the British council and still no specific reason has been given only a copy and paste from the grant agreement. More on this is raise in the difficulties section.

Project aim: The Main aim of the project was to provide an opportunity to emerging youth workers to gain knowledge, skills and practical experience necessary for supporting youth especially those from marginal backgrounds (ethnic minorities, low income families, etc.), vulnerable situations (disabilities, linguistic barriers, etc.) and NEET’s (not in employment, education and training). The project contributed to the professional development of a group of youth workers in education and/or training in Macedonia, Estonia and the United Kingdom through involving them in training and practical working experience in all nations, as well as through developing tools both off and online that they can use in their future work in this field. One of the major aims of the collaboration was the development of accreditation and recognition of professional youth work both in the UK, Estonia and Macedonia as well as Europe and even on a Global context.

Activities:
1. Meeting of partners in Wales Januaray 2018 (M1)
2. Training course for 21 youth workers from the United Kingdom, Estonia and Macedonia in Tallinn. (C1)
3. A 2 month long-term mobility of youth workers with 1 participant from UK and 1 from Macedonia in Tallinn, Estionia (C4)
4. A 2 month long-term mobility of youth workers with 1 participant from Estonia and 1 from Macedonia in Cardiff, Wales (C2)
5. Half of A 2 month long-term mobility (1 month) of youth workers with 1 participant from Cardiff, Wales in Kumanovo, Macedonia (C3)
These were before and at the beginning the 10 month long-term mobility’s. The idea of these were to offer management placements in different nations for those in year 2
studying Youth and Community Education’ in Cardiff Metropolitan University, Tartu and Tetovo University. This happened in part as the candidate from UK in Estonia studied at a
different university to Cardiff, Tetovo had stop its university programme, but Macedonian candidates were part of the union of youth workers for Macedonia and were working
towards recognigiton of youth work in Macedonia.
6. Change of Estonian partner Involved MTU to Sauga ANK, this was due to the fact that there seemed to be a huge conflict of interests in the use of Involved MTU’s funds as well
as inadquate housing for the volunteers that breached health and safety law in both the UK and Estonia. The organisation was also demanding more finances that existed in the
project for their hosting costs and seemed unable to provide the appropriate placements required for the project. We made offcial compaints to both the UK and Estonian national
agency. However, never seemed to have the will to support or help us.
7. Second transnational meeting in Macedonia February 2018 (M2)
8. Start of 10 long-term mobility of youth workers in Cardiff, Wales – each youth worker (1 Estonian, 1 Macedonian) was to spend 10 months working with a variety of young
people including NEET young people. Due to the termination they did 4 months and 3 months respectively, however at the time of this writing they continued there work with no
alowance as they were providing a vital service to young people. Both were distraught at the British Councils decision and made compaints.
9. Start of 10 long-term mobility of youth workers in Parnu, Estonia – the youth worker (1 Macedonian) was to spend 10 months working with a variety of young people
including NEET young people. Due to the termination they did 2 months.
10. Development of online support tool for youth workers working with a variety of young people including those mentioned (NEETs, Vulnerable young people, etc.) The tool was
never completed due to the termination but was to developed in parallel to the long-term mobility’s of youth workers and will be based on their experiences of working with a
variety of young people from a different background and in a unique situation. Despite the termination the tool will be completed with the help of a Council of Europe project with
the support of YEU International.
11. Final events in the UK and Estonia occured in June to present the reflections, experiences and learning made over the whole project and the online platform resources at
www.thefutureofyouthwork.cymru.
12. Third transnational meeting for evaluation never happened due to the termination.

The following results were achieved:
– Youth workers developed their basic skills and competencies for working with young people,
– Youth workers acquired knowledge and skills of using progressive tools in the work with young people
– Youth workers developed their skills and competencies for implementing activities for young people
More results were achieved and are mentioned in the report.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 54675 Eur

Project Coordinator

HIRAETH CIC & Country: UK

Project Partners

• MITTETULUNDUSUHING INVOLVED
• CENTER FOR INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE ASSOCIATION