Validation System in Lifelong Learning Experiences of Youth Volunteering Erasmus Project

Project Title

Validation System in Lifelong Learning Experiences of Youth Volunteering

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 2014

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Recognition (non-formal and informal learning/credits); Access for disadvantaged; Youth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)

Project Summary

The theme of recognition and validation of learning outcomes from informal or non-formal settings is commonly understood as one of the most important challenges for educational and training sector nowadays. One of the most powerful informal learning contexts is represented by the volunteering sector, where people of all ages and from different educational, cultural and social backgrounds have the opportunity to experience and work in diverse – and often challenging – contexts and settings, putting into practice their existing skills and gaining new experiences and competences. Most of this new knowledge can represent an asset in other areas of their lives such as, e.g. in their professional careers.

VALLEY aimed to provide adequate resources to identify and recognise skills and competences developed mainly by young people during their volunteering experience, and to increase motivation among vulnerable target groups (such as NEETs – young people not in employment, education or training – and migrants) to approach the volunteering sector also as a way of re-engaging in social life.

In addition to young people, the project also engaged with staff in volunteering and youth organisations. Staff and trainers working for volunteering organisations across the six partner countries received training on the VALLEY methodology and on the topic of validation of learning outcomes in volunteering services.

The VALLEY team consisting of six partner organisations with complementary expertise in the field of training, evaluation, validation, work with disadvantaged groups and volunteering, developed educational modules and tools for volunteering organisations on mentoring and validation related topics.

During the piloting phase, consisting of a training and preparation phase, the volunteering activity phase, and the evaluation phase, the partners implemented the VALLEY approach with their volunteers within their organisations or in collaboration with external partners. The volunteers set up learning projects together with their mentors in the volunteering organisations and chose up to three competences from the VALLEY inventory of competences they would want to develop. They were supported to set themselves learning objectives and to identify activities they could undertake to enhance these competences.

Volunteers’ competences were measured and evaluated both at the beginning of the project, as well as at the end (although many of the partners opted to measure these mid-way through the volunteering experience as well). The different methods of assessment included self-assessment, peer-to-peer reflection, group discussions/focus groups, interviews, and reflective diaries. Competences developments were evidenced and authenticated using the innovative LEVEL5 system for validating informal and non formal learning. Evidence of competence development is the LEVEL5 certificate which visualises the competence development by means of a cube and describes the concrete learning outcomes. The certificate can be added to the volunteer’s personal portfolio.

The practical phase of the VALLEY project spanned several months, primarily conducted during year 2 of the project. It involved more than 40 volunteers – more than 70% of the group comprised NEETs or young people with migration background In total 30 learning projects were undertaken with at least 85% of the participants receiving a LEVEL5 certificate, validating the competences gained during their volunteering.

All partners found many benefits and advantages to using the methodology. The methodology enabled the volunteers to set goals and learning objectives, and to clearly see and track their progress. Obtaining a certificate at the end to evidence competence development was welcomed and often seen as a source of pride. Further, their personal development was seen as contributing to improved educational and career prospects and opportunities. The methodology enabled participants to look at volunteering from a different angle, and to appreciate the learning dimension of their activities.

The VALLEY approach can become a comprehensive European concept to promote volunteering among young people, and to validate the competences developed by young people during their volunteering experience. To reach this ambitious objective, the project has developed the VALLEY quality label that can be acquired by each European volunteering organisation applying VALLEY procedure and quality criteria defined in the project.

The partnership provided a diverse and broad access to our targets groups. Each partner used their extensive networks to engage with volunteering organisations, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders promoting the VALLEY brand and approach. This resulted in a number of fruitful collaborations at both national and international levels.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 260164 Eur

Project Coordinator

BUPNET BILDUNG UND PROJEKT NETZWERK GMBH & Country: DE

Project Partners

• CESIE
• Asociatia pentru Promovarea Femeii din Romania/The Association for the Promotion of Women in Romania
• DIE BERATER UNTERNEHMENSBERATUNGS GESELLSCHAFT MBH
• EUROCIRCLE
• BEMIS SCOTLAND