Organisations: Zavod Nefiks, Mladinski EPI center Piran, Zavod Modri december

Profile of young people: 13 - 17 y.o. facing social/economical obstacles, learning difficulties, autism ...

Project: several projects between 2016 and 2023.

Topics: active citizenship, employability, mental health

2) Especially working with young people with autism/Aspergers we provide them with a very detailed schedule and stick to it. If there are any changes, we inform the participants as soon as possible and explain why there are changes and what will be the adjusted plan.

3) Always have 2 youth leaders per group + extra accompanying persons if participants have autism/Aspergers or other specific needs.

4) We try to do youth leader pairs where one is very experienced and the other one is learning so in time we have several highly competent youth leaders. It also helps if the young youth leaders first participate in at least one exchange and then become youth leaders. Because it's difficult to explain the dynamics of a YE if you haven't experienced it before.

Organisations: Zavod Nefiks, Mladinski EPI center Piran, Zavod Modri december

Profile of young people: 13 - 17 y.o. facing social/economical obstacles, learning difficulties, autism ...

Project: several projects between 2016 and 2023. In 2023 we did a project "I have autism, so what" where we included 11 young people with autism.

Topics: active citizenship, employability, mental health

The exchange took place in August 2023 in Slovenia.

We included 12 young people from Slovenia and Latvia (due to some last minute cancellations, 10 young people participated in the exchange itself).

The age of participants ranged from 13 to 25. Most of them were 18+.

The project had 2 activities:

1) preparation meeting (1 youth leader + 1 participant from each conuntry & facilitator)

2) youth exchange (10 participants, 2 youth leaders, 4 accompanying persons, 1 facilitator, 1 cook)

The detailed schedule of the exchange was prepared by the facilitator in advance and reviewed and adapted by the youth leaders and participants in the preparation meeting. Participants suggested their own workshops and activities (to share with others their interests and passions).

Before the exchange we created a padlet with the detailed schedule, information about acommodation, travel, what to pack ... All participants and staff were asked to upload a foto and short presentation so we could start getting to know each other before the exchange.

During the week we followed the schedule. Because of bad weather we had to adapt 2 sessions, so we communicated that clearly with all the participants as soon as we saw that the changes must be done and explained why these changes are happening.

One of the group rules was that we will not use mobile phones during activities, so we provided a box for the phones and participants were able to ask the facilitator for the time, when they wanted to know how much time is still left in the session.

If the participants weren't able to follow the activity or there was too much noise or any other distracting element they were allowed to go outside and one of the staff went with them. Some participants finished the activities individualy with the youth worker, outside the group or just observed the activity from a distance. We encouraged but didn't force active participation.

We were also very mindful of the icebreakers and energisers that we proposed, so there wasn't much physical contact or loud noises.

The whole schedule was adapted, so that there was enough time to rest and relax. We had 2 hours of free time after lunch and almost no activities after dinner. The participants were able to use the common room to play games or hang out, but except for 2 cultural nights and the farewell party (that were limited to 1 hour) we didn't plan any evening activites for the whole group. Also we decided in the group that mobile phones are alowed only until 23h and after that everyone needs to go to sleep.

Alcohol was not allowed (even though most of the participants were 18+) and smoking was discouraged. These rules were proposed by the participants at the preparation meeting.

Each day we had national reflection groups where participants reflected on the day, what they learned ... and they could share any concerns, ideas ... After the reflection groups there was a leaders meeting where we exchanged important things and decided if anything needs to be adapted in the following days or if some of the participants need extra assistance.

In general there were more rules than usual. But they were set for the wellbeing of individual participants and the group as a whole. Because a clear structure is very important for people with autism.

But it helps also neurotypical participants to feel safe in a new environment that is an international youth exchange. So what we learned in this project can be used in other projects aswell, regardless if the participants have autism or not.

The project was approved and implemented in 2018.

The results can be found here: https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/projects/search/details/2018-1-SI02-KA105-014559

Organisation: Mladinski EPI center Piran

Topic: fighting intergenerational stereotypes and prejudice

From 2015 to today I have been involved in a partnership with organisations from France and Germany. Together we organized 7 youth exchanges and are planning our 9th project for summer 2024. The projects are financed by OFAJ/DFJW, a similar program to Erasmus + but on the level of French-German colaboration.

Our partnership is based on building a strong personal relationship between the youth workers involved.

The first project was planned and implemented by the French organisation, but all the following projects were planned by all 3-4 partners together, from choosing the topic, to planning the activities and sharing all the responsabilites. Before each exchange we have a preparation meeting (discuss all the details, create the schedule, divide tasks ...) and after each exchange we do an evaluation meeting and prepare proposals for next year (topic, dates, accomodation, activities).

We know each others strenghts and weaknesses well, so we can use that knowledge to our advantage.

We also invite youth workers that are inexperienced with YE to our team so they can learn and later prepare their own projects.

We don't talk about sending and hosting organisations. All organisations are equal partners and contribute to the program. Each year one of the partners just takes a bit bigger role with logistics (providing acoomodation and food).

Organisation: Zavod Nefiks / UNESCO klub Piran / Mladinski EPI center Piran

Partners: Asociacion Roudel (France), MJC Saint Jean / MJC Saint Sulpice (France), Jugendclub Blechkiste (Germany)

Organization: Las Niñas del Tul

We also invite these young people to share their experiences when we have organization fairs, events to disseminate European programs, etc.

Organization: Las Niñas del Tul

That is why we provide extra support in this reflection. Depending on the work done on this during the exchange we adapt subsequent actions. It is essential that they analyze what they have learned and reflect it, make it explicit (the Youthpass and its competencies are very useful). If they do not know what they have learned, it will be difficult for them to use that learning.

An important step is to think about how to use these learnings in their daily life.

Organization: Las Niñas del Tul

An example of this was last summer, where in an youth exchange with minors (14-17 years old) we had two transgender boys. The bedrooms were shared and we asked them if they preferred to share rooms with boys or girls. Each of them chose a different option, as they were at different points in their transition and felt more comfortable in different contexts.

Organization: Las Niñas del Tul

They should know what needs their group has, how to deal with them, what extra support they may need...

Organization: Las Niñas del Tul

We selected youth workers and leaders who work with disadvantaged groups in their local area and are willing to improve their capacity and skills in social entrepreneurship.

The main purpose of this Pool will be to offer your skills, awesomeness and leadership potential to other young people! With this initiative, young people get valuable experience and training in facilitating, youth leading and youth working, preparing them to act on that role to help other young people.

RED CROSS - Sanguedo

Youth Exchanges, Training Courses and ESC projects.

Ye too ponese association.

Ye too ponese association.

1. Community Collaboration: Collaborate with local Roma community leaders and community centers to identify potential participants. Hold informational sessions within the community to discuss the project's goals and benefits.

2. Personalized Outreach: Reach out to Roma families emphasizing the project's positive impact on education and personal development.

3. Tackling Early School Leaving and Improving Learning: The Roma Communities face unique challenges in accessing education, and the program aims to tackle these obstacles head on. Learning improvement projects are the backbone of this mission, empowering young people with the tools they need for a brighter future.

   
   

Adapted Communication:

1. Cultural Sensitivity: Train project representatives on the cultural nuances of the Roma community to ensure respectful and effective communication.

   
   

Inclusive Selection Process:

1. Strengths-Based Approach: During recruitment, focus on identifying the strengths, interests, and talents of potential participants rather than traditional academic criteria.

2. Inclusive Interviews: Conduct interviews in a conversational and inclusive manner, considering the unique perspectives and experiences of the Roma community.

3. Community Involvement: Involve members of the Roma community in the selection process to ensure representation and a deep understanding of the community's needs.

   
   

Other:

1. Flexible Schedule: Offer flexible scheduling for recruitment activities and workshops to accommodate the diverse lifestyles and commitments within the Roma community.

2. Cultural Liaisons: Appoint cultural liaisons or community ambassadors who can bridge the gap between the project team and the Roma community, providing ongoing support and communication.

Project Name: O Teatro Anda Comigo

Adapted Activities during the Mobility:

1. Cultural Sensitivity: Tailored theater activities to be culturally sensitive, incorporating Roma traditions, stories, and symbols to make the content relatable.

2. Flexible Program: Designed a flexible curriculum that allows for the incorporation of Roma cultural elements into the theater activities.

3. Participatory Approach: Involved Roma community members in the planning process to ensure activities resonated with their values and interests.

   
   

Adapted Practicalities during the Mobility for the Roma Community:

1. Transportation Support: Provided transportation assistance, considering potential challenges faced by the Roma community in accessing the venue.

2. Flexible Scheduling: Adjusted schedules to accommodate potential familial and community commitments, allowing for active participation without hindering daily responsibilities.

Specific Support Mechanisms in Place during the Mobility:

1. Psychological Support: Employed on-site psychologists to provide emotional support, addressing potential trauma or emotional challenges within the Roma community.

2. Peer Support Network: Established a peer support system, where students could share experiences and challenges, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

Safeguarding Methodologies:

1. Community Liaison Officers: Appointed community liaison officers to act as intermediaries between the project organizers and the Roma community, ensuring cultural sensitivity and understanding.

2. Cultural Competency Training: Provided cultural competency training for all staff involved in the project, promoting a respectful and informed approach to interaction.

Other Practices:

1. Parental Involvement: Organized workshops and events specifically for parents, fostering a collaborative relationship between the project and the families, addressing any concerns or misconceptions.

2. Celebration of Achievements: Recognized and celebrated individual and collective achievements, reinforcing a positive attitude towards education and personal development within the Roma community.

Project Name: O Teatro Anda Comigo

Actions for Inclusion: Overcoming the exclusion of the Roma community from school involves integrating them into the school, promoting heterogeneity and cultural differences.

The "O Teatro Anda Comigo" project aims to promote citizenship education and combat school dropout among Braga's Roma community, through the creative use of theater techniques, workshops and extracurricular activities. The initiative seeks to develop artistic, social and cognitive skills among the students, while strengthening their connection with the school and the community.

Cooperation Between Orgs: Facilitated regular communication and joint planning between the Roma community, the Municipality of Braga, Fundação la Caixa, BragaHabit (a municipal company dedicated to the rehabilitation of urban buildings and the management of social support for housing) and Human Power Hub (which provides support for the acceleration and incubation of entrepreneurial ideas geared towards social impact).

Local Partnerships: Collaborated with local businesses and services to create inclusive environments.

Other: Conducted community awareness campaigns to foster a supportive atmosphere for participants.

Project Name: Let Them Be Heard

Profile of Vulnerable Young People: Refugees and migrants facing social, economic, and cultural challenges in Europe.

Communication and Outreach:

• Used a multilingual approach in promotional materials and outreach, ensuring information was available in languages commonly spoken by the target audience.

• Collaborated with local community leaders, refugee support organizations, and cultural mediators to disseminate project information effectively.

Recruitment & Selection of Participants:

• Conducted targeted outreach sessions in community centers, refugee camps, and cultural hubs to connect with potential participants.

• Employed a peer-to-peer recruitment strategy, involving young people who had previously benefited from similar programs to encourage participation.

• Adapted application materials to be accessible and culturally sensitive, providing clear instructions in various languages.

Inclusive Selection Process:

• Organized pre-selection workshops that allowed potential participants to experience project activities firsthand, ensuring alignment with their interests and needs.

• Implemented a diverse selection committee representing different backgrounds and expertise, fostering a comprehensive evaluation process.

• Provided alternative methods for submitting applications, such as video submissions or oral interviews, recognizing the potential literacy challenges faced by some candidates.

Additional Inclusion Practices:

• Established a mentorship program pairing experienced participants with newcomers to provide additional support and guidance.

• Conducted a pre-project cultural orientation session to promote mutual understanding and respect among participants from various cultural backgrounds.

• The participants were prepared during the pre-mobility preparation phase through linguistic support, cultural preparation and understanding of what the project entails and what is expected of them.

• Travel tickets were purchased for participants with limited financial resources.

• Some groups traveled all together to avoid possible inconveniences that could arise during the trip.

• There was a team trained in diversity and inclusion. We rely on the figure of group leaders to support all participants

The aim of Open Café is also to promote an open and integrated society and enable young people from Rzeszów, both those born in the city and those who have moved here from other countries, to meet and get to know each other.

More info:

https://www.facebook.com/goinpro.org/posts/pfbid02SPjjFEHDHYKFqWkfGSgk8NyJHMjm4AGfbQkNv5ja6x25g1ttrVDbzyozoZCoxLTAl

https://www.goinpro.org/en/open-cafe/

https://www.goinpro.org/en/focus-on-diversity/

When we have youth exchange for minors we try to envolve those young people that are with us in the Free time activity centre or have been in that social response.

We are part of the Protection Commission for children and Youngsters and we also try to envolve those one our mobilities. Basically we mainly envolve minors that we know in international mobility projects.

Since we tend to involve participants that we have worked before in our activities, especially when the project is for minors, the preparation is easier.

Sometimes, we create informal moments and we invite other youngsters who have participated in previous projects, to share their experience with the group.

For TCs, PBAs, seminars and other formats of mobilities for youth workers, we use the Erasmus+ Youth Academy community, which is our signature product and service.

During the activities, we train the group leader to have active participation and support all the participants in each moment needed like with the translations, explaining if they don't understand the activity, training them for making the reflection about the day through non-formal education tools and create a safe environment for each participant.

• Through WhatsApp Chat (leaders and the team together and separately)

• Through the website, which we make for each project

• Through Padlet, where people can raise concerns and give suggestions

• In national groups at the end of each day

• In person, with a buddy, team leader or organiser

Example: http://lifezonegroup.com/moneywise

• meeting with the young people and group leader in a face to face meeting in the organization where we evaluate the project and having a experience organization's youth worker involved.

• Helping the participants and group leader to understand their learning process through non formal activities;

• Helping, if needed, participants to make the Youthpass self assessment;

• The organization is a Eurodesk multiplier and we have been doing dissemination activities in schools and we have invited those young people that have been in youth exchanges to share their experience with others.

This has to be well facilitated during the workshop and later on online or locally, to keep the motivation of young people to implement their ideas into life.

Usually, more ideas for youth exchanges come up, or also Solidarity projects.

• Engage them if possible, like local municipalities, or businesses, or associations

• Ask for sponsorship (can be financial or non-financial, like venues, transport etc)

• Promote the impact of a project within their social media or networks

• Join our activities, so we can create more impact on the local level too.

- Fuori Traccia - a local project, a step towards creating a network (MiWay) of shelters, youth centers, social cooperatives (target group 14-19 years-old) and meeting places popular for teenagers in the city of Milan, in order to inform them about voluntary work and civic participation activities, based on non formal education on the topics of civic participation, environmental sustainability and international mobility; the aim of this initiative is to prevent and combat the social isolation of adolescents in Milan, with particular reference to HVYP

- MiWay - a network of social cooperatives and already existing networks in province of Milan who support the inclusion of HVYP at the local level, Joint created in 2021 the informal network Mi-Way, that puts together over 10 NGOs working with vulnerable and highly vulnerable young people in Milan metropolitan area. Mi-Way is the structure used to recruit and properly support their participation in mobility opportunities, mostly Youth Exchanges and short term ESC Teams. Inside the network, we organise:

• Training and sharing activities to build the capacity of the local NGOs in the support of their beneficiaries involved in mobility activities

• Presentations of the mobility opportunities through presentations and orientation interviews;

• Residential training courses of 3 days for the preparation and the evaluation of the mobility activities, both for participants and group leaders.

The participants of Mi_Way are involved across the years, getting more responsibilities and autonomy (from participant to group leader, to facilitator etc.), through the follow-up weekends and the project management local training courses, in a process of empowerment and participation.

During selection:

- personal call/ interview with every potential participant, conducted by JOINT staff

- Agreements for participants, group leaders, partners, parents / legal guardians 

Preparing and involving the group leaders is a key factor:

- For our YE we try to organize an in-person APV, preferably at a moment when the group of the exchange has already been formed, in order to plan and adjust the programme according to the needs of participants and competencies of group leaders + at least 2 follow-up meetings with the leaders beforehand, in order to monitor the preparation process

- National training course (3 days) for 15-20 future italian-group leaders who will be supporting participants during YE both organized by us and abroad. During the training course we are addressing the role of a group leader, creating a personal connection with the people, training competences like: leadership, communication, intercultural learning, risk management, other characteristics about work with young people with fewer opportunities. Participants of the training course pay a fee of 80eur, which is reimbursed if they take a role as a group leader in a JOINT youth exchange (either hosted by Joint or where Joint is a partner).

- International training course of 25-30 youth workers and young people (18+) with experience in the field of youth exchanges and willing to learn more about how to support vulnerable and/or under-aged participants in Youth Exchanges. Therefore, the aim is:

• Training group leaders who will possibly be involved in the Erasmus+ Youth Exchanges, about inclusion and about strategies to support and empower vulnerable and highly vulnerable participants before, during and after a Youth Exchange experience; with a focus on the ones hosted by Associazione Joint and by its network in that year and in the following years

• Co-designing the youth exchanges that will be hosted by Associazione Joint in that year and that will be focusing on Inclusion (they will involve 40% participants with fewer opportunities and highly vulnerable young people).

• Reaching agreements for mutual cooperation with organisations active in the field of youth mobility.

Sending YE:

Participants:

- 3 day in-person preparation meeting for youngsters (minors) who will be participating in youth exchanges during the summer/ next few months as an introduction to: non formal education, multicultural communication and living in a multicultural community, expressing their needs and adapting to the needs of others, going deeper into the fears and expectations of their upcoming experiences.

- pre-departure online calls with the participants, group leader + representative of JOINT - answering questions, supporting the preparation of intercultural nights and other activities, empowering and motivating;

- financial support, in case of need;

Someone from JOINT team is always involved in the preparation process, as an addition to the group leader: 

- Whatsapp group

- Planning the trips & buying tickets

- Preparing activities

- Daily reflection in national groups with provided materials (personalized based on the needs of the group)

- Daily leaders’ meetings

- Methodologies adapted to non-English speakers (practical, visual, creative) - both activities & reflection

- Adapting the timetable to the needs of the group, taking into account the feedback received everyday during the leaders’ meetings

Sending YE
- There is someone from the JOINT team which the participants have met during the pre-departure meeting ready to support and assist anytime. There is a whatsapp group for each national team made by JOINT in order to both communicate the steps and important details from JOINT and the hosting organization as well as respond to any questions and solve problems.

- invite them to participate and volunteer in our YE

- follow-up in-person meeting of 2-3 days with the youngsters involved in the youth exchanges to share their experiences, help them with dissemination activities, discuss future steps and opportunities to get involved in Joint activities.

- 2 annual meetings of the members of Joint, weekends in which the most active members of the association and youngsters that participated in opportunities provided by Joint are invited to come, in order to exchange good practices and to define future plans of the organisation. This activity is part of a larger empowerment strategy to foster the active participation of the members of Joint in the decision making process of the association. The weekends are a moment for the members to meet each other, the staff and the board of Joint, creating a stronger identity and commitment to the association's vision and mission.

- MiWay - a network of social cooperatives and already existing networks in province of Milan who support the inclusion of HVYP at the local level, Joint created in 2021 the informal network Mi-Way, that puts together over 10 NGOs working with vulnerable and highly vulnerable young people in Milan metropolitan area. Mi-Way is the structure used to recruit and properly support their participation in mobility opportunities, mostly Youth Exchanges and short term ESC Teams. Inside the network, we organise:

• Training and sharing activities to build the capacity of the local NGOs in the support of their beneficiaries involved in mobility activities

• Presentations of the mobility opportunities through presentations and orientation interviews;

• Residential training courses of 3 days for the preparation and the evaluation of the mobility activities, both for participants and group leaders.

The participants of Mi_Way are involved across the years, getting more responsibilities and autonomy (from participant to group leader, to facilitator etc.), through the follow-up weekends and the project management local training courses, in a process of empowerment and participation.

- The E+ mobility accreditation aiming at creating an international network of organisations with shared quality standards, measures, strategy for inclusion of highly vulnerable young people.