1. education

Report of the 1st
Eastern Partnership
Youth Forum
2013
Vilnius
2
Notes about the Author
Nik Paddison
Nik has a background as a youth worker from the UK. Over
the last 15 years he has worked as a trainer of youth workers,
leaders, volunteers and activists in the European youth field. He
has been based in South East Europe since 2003; the bulk of
his work is focussed on the South East Europe and Caucasus
regions. During this period he has been a part of youth work
and non-formal education recognition, working with local and
international organisations in the above mentioned regions.
Areas of work include: youth worker curriculum development;
assessment processes; training of youth workers; training
trainers/facilitators; conflict transformation; communication/
presentation skills; human rights; co-working. Over the
years he has developed numerous activities, theories and
approaches related to the youth field in the context of nonformal education. His work can be found in various publications
including Coyote magazine. For the last few years he has been
working as a freelance trainer/writer/consultant/copy editor for
youth NGOs, European networks, and the European Union and
the Council of Europe youth departments.
Coordinator of the Eastern
Partnership Youth Forum
Agne Kvikliene
Agne is the coordinator of the 1st Eastern Partnership Youth
Forum that took place in Lithuania. She has been working in
the field of youth work and non-formal education as well as
youth policy for more than 10 years. During the last four years
she worked in the National Agency of the European Union
Youth in Action Programme in Lithuania. Before this Agne was
the director of the non-governmental organisation, ‘Centre for
Creative Expression’ and national coordinator of the ‘The Duke
of Edinburgh’s Award’ programme. She contributed to the
development of the youth workers’ legal concept in Lithuania,
recognition of non-formal education and youth work. Agne also
contributed to strengthening the structured dialogue between
policy makers and young people.
3
Eastern Partnership Youth
Forum General Facilitators
Anahit Minassian
Anahit has been engaged in the NGO sector for the last 10
years, she has been particularly committed to the development
and recognition of non-formal education in Eastern Partnership
region. She has led and facilitated a number of local and
international large scale events focusing on youth policy
development, European cooperation and youth research.
Anahit has authored and co-authored several research papers
and manuals on these topics.
Laimonas Ragauskas
Laimonas is freelance trainer in the field of youth and
education. He works in cooperation with various SALTOYOUTH Resource Centres, National Agencies of the Youth
in Action Programme (National Agencies of Erasmus+ from
2014) and non-governmental organisations across Europe. He
has been involved in translating and writing publications about
non-formal education, youth participation and recognition.
Laimonas has extensive experience in the region of Eastern
Europe –implementing transnational youth projects, consulting
ministries and training trainers and youth workers.
Facilitator team1
For more information about
each of the facilitators please see
Appendix 1.
1
Alina Schneider
Expert on the visibility of the non-formal education, Moldova
Andriy Donets
Trainer, contributor to the recognition of non-formal learning,
Ukraine
Anna Yeghoyan
Youth worker and trainer, active in youth policy, Armenia
Baiba Abolina
Youth worker and trainer, actively working with social
inclusion, Latvia
Behrooz Motamed-Afshari
Freelance trainer and consultant in youth policy, Austria
4
Eduard Mihalas
Youth leader, active in youth policy, Moldova
Giorgi Kakulia
Youth worker and trainer, expert in youth policy, Georgia
Lala Rzayeva
Youth leader, active in youth policy, Azerbaijan
Marius Ulozas
Expert in youth policy, Lithuania
Maryna Korzh
Trainer/facilitator in the field of youth and non-formal education,
Belarus
Nerijus Kriauciunas
Freelance educator and consultant in the fields of non-formal
education and youth work, Lithuania
Žilvinas Mažeikis
Youth worker and trainer, actively working with social inclusion,
Lithuania
Organisers and partners2
Agency of International Youth Co-operation – National
Agency of the Youth in Action Programme in Lithuania
For more information and a
description of each partner please
see Appendix 2.
2
Ms Agne Kvikliene
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr Mindaugas Stanys
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour
Ms Jolanta Sakalauskiene
The European Commission
Mr Artur Payer and Mr Alessandro Leone
The EU-CoE youth partnership
Mr Joachim Schild
SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre
Mr Andriy Pavlovych
SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
Ms Rita Bergstein
The European Youth Forum
Ms Guoda Lomanaite
5
Interkulturelles Zentrum – The National Agency of the
Youth in Action Programme in Austria
Ms Andrea Hollenstein
Foundation for the Development of the Education
System – The National Agency of the Youth in Action
Programme in Poland
Ms Magdalena Melinowska
British Council – The National Agency of the Youth in
Action Programme in the United Kingdom
Ms Susie Nicodemi
Jaunatnes Starptautisko Programmu Agentura –
The National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme
in Latvia
Ms Vladislava Skele
Lithuanian Youth Council (LiJOT)
Mr Karolis Zemaitis
Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of
Social Security and Labour
Ms Sandra Janciauskaite-Aragroug
Participants3
For a full list of participants please
see Appendix 3.
3
The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum brought together about
200 young people and youth experts with experience in youth
work and/or youth related areas. These included representatives
from various Ministries of the different countries involved,
members of the business sector, representatives from
educational research sectors, and representation from different
aspects of the European Union, directly and indirectly connected
with the youth field.
The selection process was conducted by the organisers
(participants from the Eastern Partnership countries
were selected by different organisations of partners) and
representatives of the National Agencies of the Youth in Action
Programme.
6
Speakers
Presented in order of appearance:
Mr Andrius Kupcinskas,
Mayor of Kaunas
Ms Lilija Gerasimiene
Director of Lithuanian National Agency of Youth in Action
Programme, Agency of International Youth Cooperation
Ms Algimanta Pabedinskiene
Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of
Lithuania
Ms Nataliya Kunitskaya
Young person from Belarus, participant of a Youth in Action
Programme youth exchange
Ms Rita Bergstein
SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
Mr Andriy Pavlovych
SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre
Ms Gabriela Scibiorska
Education, Audio-Visual and Culture Executive Agency
Ms Justina Vitkauskaite-Bernard
Member of the European Parliament
Mr Vladas Lasas
Entrepreneur, Honouree of 2012 Oslo Business for Peace
Awards, given by an independent committee of Nobel
Laureates.
Mr Simonas Gausas
A researcher at Visionary Analytics
Mr Behrooz Motamed-Afshari
Freelance trainer and consultant in youth policy
Mr Nik Paddison
General rapporteur, freelance trainer and writer in the youth
field
Mr Arnaud Dupont
European Commission, DG Education and Culture
Mr Dainius Pavalkis
The Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of
Lithuania
7
Mr Jan Truszczynski
European Commission, Director-General DG Education and
Culture
Mr Peter Matjašic
President of European Youth Forum
Mr Mikalai Kvantaliani
The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
Ms Agne Kvikliene
Coordinator of the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum, Agency
of International Youth Cooperation
From Eastern Partnership Youth
Forum I get a deeper understanding of nonformal education; was able to make conclusions
that will help our organisation to continue in the
existing way, as forum has underpinned, we are
moving in the right direction. I also managed to
establish contacts with representatives of Eastern
Partnership countries, which has been my aim
before coming to the forum. Three main things
gained: contacts, common project plan, share of
our own experiences.
Ms Valéria Yurkina, Hungary
8
Contents
Notes about the author
3
Coordinator of the eastern partnership youth forum
3
Eastern partnership youth forum general facilitators
4
Facilitator team
4
Organisers and partners
5
Participants
6
Speakers
7
Contents
Introduction
The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum
9
11
14
Background
14
Objectives
15
Context
15
Go for inclusion, get quality bonus - strategies for
ensuring quality of non-formal education and
youth work provisions
19
Presentations of good practice
20
Challenges and needs
22
Policy makers
24
Structures working directly with young people
24
Donor community
25
Transferability of competences gained through
non-formal learning in youth work
27
Civic participation in community and society life
29
Complimentary to formal education
29
Personal and social life
30
Employment and entrepreneurship
30
Youth in action programme 2007 to 2013
31
Improving tools for recognition of non-formal learning
in youth work
34
9
What can I do about it?
39
What should be done about recognition in general?
39
Evidence-based youth policy and strategy development
on local and regional levels
Developing youth policy with young people
42
Cross-sectorial work
43
Making the results of non-formal learning in youth
work visible on local level
Questions explored
Appendix 1
Facilitating team
Appendix 2
46
49
54
54
57
Organisers and partners
57
Coordinator of the event
60
Appendix 3
Participants
Appendix 4
61
61
68
Recognition of non-formal learning and youth work
68
Definitions
69
Appendix 5
70
Policy Papers
77
Timeline
72
Appendix 6
73
Programme of the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum
Appendix 7
10
41
73
79
The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum Joint conclusions
79
Joint Conclusions
83
Introduction
Differences between the realities
of youth work in Eastern Partnership
countries are not that different from
the rest of Europe.
Mr Matthias Christensen,
Belgium/Sweden
This report is based on the first Eastern Partnership Youth Forum (22-25 October 2013, Kaunas)
which was organised within the framework of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the
European Union and the Eastern Partnership Platform 4 ‘Contacts Between People’. It was also
a side event to the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius (28-29 November 2013). This report
is focussed on developments in the quality of youth work, opportunities for the development of
political strategies, inclusion and recognition strategies and the further development of youth
work within the Eastern Partnership and European Union countries.
The report is structured according to the main themes, exploring in more depth each of the
headings established for the programme of the Forum.
Go for inclusion, get quality bonus – Strategies for ensuring quality of non-formal education
and youth work provisions
Transferability of competences gained through non-formal learning in youth work
Improving tools for recognition of non-formal learning in youth work
Evidence-based youth policy and strategy development on local and regional levels
Making the results of non-formal learning in youth work visible on local level
We invite you to read this report as a source of ideas, experiences and inspiration based on these
topics. Because of the grassroots nature of much of the information we also invite you the reader
to enter into the themes for yourself and your organisation. At the end of each thematic chapter
there is a ‘Box of self-reflection’, here we invite you to consider the posed questions and reflect
on yourself as someone involved in the youth field and the situation of your organisation as well
as the broader situation locally and nationally.
This report aims to capture the moments and atmosphere from the event in Kaunas. The
organisation of such an event takes a lot of energy and passion. This was clearly shown, not just
in the way the event flowed but in the activities that were produced by the organisers for the
participants. The organiser took a step away from the traditional seating in rows and introduced
large round tables where participants could sit in groups of 10 or 12. The whole event was
opened in semi darkness with the sounds of a clarinet and saxophone, a woman and the musician
passed from table to table, the musician playing to the ears of different individuals, the woman
11
pouring sand on different tables, Ms Jurgita Minderyte then created a series of projected sand
drawings. The two days featured young musicians, iPad barcode scanning quizzes, fire dancing,
a pomegranate, speeches, working groups, a huge open learning space, and an intense desire to
gain learning badges. The Forum participants reflected on the successes of the last 2 years of the
Youth in Action Programme’s Eastern Partnership Youth Window, concentrated on the present
and looked to the future. All of this led to a dynamic, interactive 2 days of exploration, discussions
and important points being highlighted.
12
The Forum was not just about patting ourselves on the back for the work done and the
partnerships developed in the period of the Eastern Partnership Youth Window. As Ms Algimanta
Pabedinskiene, Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, stated, “I
would like to promise that the results of this meeting, the conclusions and important ideas will
be heard, thoroughly examined and they will support the implementation of future decisions.”
Indeed the Joint Conclusions formulated during the Forum were brought to the attention of the
3rd Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania in November 2013, therefore influencing
international and national level youth policy development. The Joint Conclusions inspired to
continue discussions and a 2nd Eastern Partnership Youth Forum was proposed for to be organised
in Latvia in 2015.
The Forum was not implemented to create any policies; rather it was designed as a catalyst
to support youth policy development in European Union and Eastern Partnership countries. Mr
Laimonas Ragauskas, one of the lead facilitators of the Forum, explained in his opening speech
that we would be:
developing ideas for upgrading existing youth policies in order to enhance recognition of
youth work and non-formal learning
providing feedback to policy makers on the implementation of recognition practices, and
looking for action points in the recognition of youth work and non-formal learning in the
Eastern Partnership and European Union countries.
Ms Algimanta Pabedinskiene emphasised, “the European Union’s close relations with the
Eastern partners is based on a desire to not only get to know each other better, however, but to
share, to learn, to improve the quality of the different areas, creating more opportunities for such
a huge potential.”
Autumn is the season of fruits. In
my hands I have a fresh pomegranate. My
grandmother told me it is very healthy. And I
believe her. This pomegranate symbolises me this
event. Plenty of seeds are inside this apple. 200
seeds, pardon, 200 young people, youth workers,
youth researchers and youth policy makers gathered
here in Kaunas from the EU and its Eastern
Partnership countries.”
Ms Lilija Gerasimiene,
Director of Lithuanian National
Agency of Youth in Action
13
The Eastern Partnership
Youth Forum
Participation in
the Forum taught me that
networking is very important.
I will remind myself: where am I
going? What I have learnt? And what
I want to reach?
Ms Kateryna Kolomiiets,
Ukraine
Background
The organisers wanted to create an event that gave an overview
of the ongoing processes and inspiration regarding the work
towards recognition of non-formal learning and youth work in
both the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries.
The Youth in Action Programme
Guide 2012 defines Programme
countries as: the EU Member
States, the countries of the
European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) and countries which are
candidates for accession to the
European Union.
4
The Eastern Partnership countries
are: the Republic of Armenia,
the Republic of Azerbaijan, the
Republic of Belarus, Georgia, the
Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
5
14
The outcomes of related activities such as; the 2013 Lithuanian
EU-Presidency youth conference, the Eastern Partnership
Platform 4 youth event in Armenia in 2012, the conference
‘Eastern Dimension of Mobility’, organised by the Polish EU
Presidency in 2011, the EU-CoE Youth Partnership symposium
on the recognition of non-formal learning and youth work, and
the first year of the implementation of the Eastern Partnership
Youth Window, were taken into consideration when organising
the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum.
The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum complemented the
activities undertaken by the European Youth Forum, which has
identified strengthening of cooperation between the youth
organisations of the European Union Member States and
Eastern Partnership countries as one of its priorities.
The first event of its kind, the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum
brought together approximately 200 participants, including
young people, youth researchers, youth workers and youth
policy makers, from Youth in Action Programme countries4 and
Eastern Partnership countries5.
Objectives
Enhancing the recognition of youth work and non-formal
learning, especially in the context of social inclusion,
building on the synergies between international, national,
regional and local levels;
Raising the quality and visibility of non-formal learning
and youth work at the local level and foster the exchange
of good practice in youth work between Eastern European
partner countries and Youth in Action Programme countries;
The Eastern Partnership Youth
Window aims to involve in 2012
and 2013 an additional 21,000
young people and youth workers
in joint activities between Eastern
Partnership and Youth in Action
Programme countries.
6
Highlighting current youth cooperation within the
framework of the Youth in Action Programme’s Eastern
Partnership Youth Window6 and exploring opportunities
offered by Erasmus+.
Context
The Eastern Partnership was launched in 2009 by the
European Union and its six Eastern European partners –
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine –
to promote a broad range of political and economic reforms and
assist the countries of the region move closer to the European
Union. The European Union and Eastern Partnership countries
share a commitment to international law and fundamental
values, including democracy, the rule of law and respect for
human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as to market
economy, sustainable development and good governance.
The European Union and its partners have committed to further
developing a multilateral dimension – involving all European
Union Member States and partner countries. This multilateral
dimension is intended to strengthen and complement bilateral
cooperation and facilitate the development of common
positions and joint activities.7
Joint Communication to the
European Parliament, the Council,
the European Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of
the Regions: Eastern Partnership –
A Roadmap to the autumn 2013
Summit (Brussels, 15.5.2012,
JOIN(2012) 13 final)
http://ec.europa.eu/world/enp/
docs/2012_enp_pack/e_pship_
roadmap_en.pdf
7
In the context of the 3 Eastern Partnership Summit that took
place at the end of November 2013 in Vilnius, Lithuania, it
was planned to host several side events such as the Eastern
Partnership Youth Forum, the Eastern Partnership Business
Forum, the Conference of Regional and Local Authorities
(CORLEAP) and a wide range of other conferences and
seminars.
rd
The Eastern Partnership multilateral cooperation is supported
by four platforms, which consist of meetings, held at least twice
a year at the level of senior officials engaged in reform work in
15
the relevant policy areas, to structure and discuss cooperation
in the Eastern Partnership’s four areas of cooperation, namely:
Democracy, good governance and stability (Platform 1);
Economic integration and convergence with European
Union policies (Platform 2);
Energy security (Platform 3) and
Contacts between people (Platform 4).
The platforms report to the annual meetings of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of the Eastern Partnership.
Platform 4 ‘Contacts Between People’, which deals with
education, research and innovation, youth, culture and the
audiovisual sector, is coordinated by the European Commission’s
Directorate-General for Education and Culture (DG EAC).
It is accompanied by the Civil Society Forum, which holds a
conference at least once a year, bringing together civil society
representatives and officials of the European Commission, the
European External Action Service (EEAS) and governments
of the European Union and Eastern Partnership countries, to
discuss the progress made in the Eastern Partnership and
ensure the involvement of civil society in it.
8
www.eu2013.lt/en
The Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European
Union8 has put the Eastern Partnership as a priority on its
agenda. It aimed at:
Enhancing the social inclusion of young people, with
particular emphasis on young people not in employment,
education or training (NEETs);
Promoting cross-sectoral cooperation as the underlying
principle of an integral youth policy;
Enhancing good practices on social inclusion of young
people;
Promoting cooperation in the youth policy field, between
young people from European Union and Eastern Europe
and Caucasus countries.
The thematic priority ‘social inclusion’ of the Trio-Presidency, to
which Lithuania belongs, was also in the focus of the European
Union youth conference which took place in Vilnius from 9-12
September 2013. During the conference young people, decision
makers, youth researchers and other resource persons shared
their experience and examples of how social inclusion of young
people can best be achieved.
16
I will take home a
strong determination to deepen our
links with youth and Eastern Partnership
youth organisations. This Forum aroused the
belief that youth work changes life and opens
unsuspected opportunities for young people.
I got a lot of contact from inspiring youth
workers to develop common projects with
meaningful and long lasting impact. Keep
working hard and trust yourself.
Mr Edouard Portefaix,
France
At project level, in the field of youth cooperation between Eastern Partnership and Youth in Action
Programme countries, an Eastern Partnership Youth Window was established with the aim to
involve in 2012 and 2013, an additional 21,000 young people and youth workers from Youth in
Action Programme and Eastern Partnership countries in youth exchanges, European Voluntary
Service and training and networking activities.
To this end, an additional EUR 31.5 million was made available for the two-year period through
the Eastern Partnership Youth Window to Youth in Action Programme National Agencies and
the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) to fund projects which would
provide, in particular, support to young people with fewer opportunities living in rural or deprived
urban areas. It was also a priority to raise awareness about the nature of youth work and promote
the sharing of good practice in this field.
Cooperation at project level was complemented by structures which support youth cooperation
between the Eastern Partnership and Youth in Action Programme countries such as:
The Eastern Partnership Youth Regional Unit which was established by the European
Commission’s Directorate-General Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid (DG DEVCO) with
the following objectives: to support capacity development of government and civil society actors
in youth in Eastern Partnership countries; to mainstream youth across policy spheres; to develop
a more comprehensive evidence base for youth policy and youth affairs; to target the needs of
disadvantaged young people through the development of youth work and to ensure the visibility
of the Eastern Partnership Youth Programme. The Eastern Partnership Youth Regional Unit is
based in the Ukraine for the duration of three years.
17
9
www.salto-youth.net/rc/eeca/
10
http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.
int/youth-partnership/eeca/
18
Synergies were sought between the Eastern Partnership
Youth Regional Unit and other structures supporting the
Eastern Partnership Youth Window. These included the Youth
in Action Programme SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus
Resource Centre9, which provides training and information
support for international youth cooperation with this geographic
area. The other key support structure was the EU-CoE Youth
Partnership10, a joint project of the Council of Europe and the
European Commission, with the aim to foster social inclusion,
democracy and human rights, democratic citizenship and youth
participation, intercultural dialogue and diversity.
Go for inclusion, get quality
bonus - strategies for ensuring
quality of non-formal education
and youth work provisions
This is what I
got here: courage,
enthusiasm, recognition
and appreciation.
Mr Giorgi Kakulia,
Georgia
This was a huge subject to cover in such a short space of time, something reflected by some of
the participants of the Forum in their feedback. However this did not take away from the quality
of the discussions held. In general participation was active, positive and relaxed, and due to
a wide variety of cultural, professional, and other backgrounds, the Open Learning Space and
the Working Groups provided interesting and fruitful suggestions and discussions. Participants
shared their personal experiences and made significant contributions to the analysis of the topic
and produced a lot of rich conclusions.
The main focus of the ‘Go for Inclusion Get Quality Bonus’ theme was to review existing
challenges and areas for improvement in the Eastern Partnership countries and European Union
member states regarding inclusion and quality youth work. This provided opportunity to share
good practices, find interesting materials, express questions, explore expectations, and discover
examples from all the participating countries. The discussions were guided around three main
target groups; Policy Makers, the Donor Community and the Structures Working Directly with
Young People.
The Open Learning Space introduced the Inspiration Corner (which was open for the whole
Forum), this was very much appreciated, many people found it nice and relaxing to leave
their ‘visual picture’ of inclusion or a video message on “what is inclusion for you?” and to
be able to share it with others. Many others were interested in the presented best practices
and the available publications. A lot of participants showed interest in the strategic documents
and requested to receive them through email. There were also requests for printed materials,
exchange of contacts, screened videos and the board game.
Overall a lot of sharing took place, both on a one to one level as well as with the facilitator team
with regards to this subject with many cases of cooperation emerging. The three main areas were
tackled using three questions; ‘Which topics and needs should be addressed?’, ‘What actions
and initiatives should be started?’ and ‘How should they be implemented (specific suggestions,
mechanisms)?’
19
The topics of inclusion and quality were further explored through a combination of discussions,
activities, best practice examples, and through the defining of ‘Quality in youth work’ and
‘Inclusive youth work’. Challenges and needs were also tackled through looking at youth workers,
the local community, national level, and the International level.
Presentations of good practice
The quality aspect was emphasised by Ms Gabriela Scibiorska from the Education, Audio-visual
and Culture Executive Agency in her opening speech. Though she was highlighting the huge
increase in the numbers of applications from the Eastern Partner countries over the two year
period of the Eastern Partnership Youth Window of the Youth in Action Programme, she made
special mention of the important increase in the quality of the projects in the second year over
those of the first year. A number of project examples were presented by contributors from
countries of the Eastern Partnership as well as the Youth in Action Programme countries. The
participants were able to have an exchange with the contributors and then explored each example
in depth looking at different inclusion and quality aspects.
Ms Lusine Saghumyan, from the Armenian organisation ‘Public Information and Need of
Knowledge’ – ‘PINK Armenia’, shared information about their project on the topic of gender
identity and awareness on LGBT related issues. The core of the project is about education of
young people, both urban and rural, on human rights and tolerance topics – in this way indirectly
addressing the question of discrimination, gender and sexuality. To address LGBT related issues
and take steps toward inclusion, cultural specifics need to be taken into account. In this case in
Armenia a ‘packaging’ is needed, as talking directly about LGBT issues can cause even greater
exclusion for this group of people.
The good practice example from Slovenia was presented by Mr Stefan Simoncic, who is
from a special entrepreneurship project by a Maribor-based organisation, EPeKa. The project
deals with the inclusion of Roma people in society through enhanced social entrepreneurship
opportunities. The example given was from 2012, the first restaurant run by Roma young people
serving Roma cuisine was opened in Slovenia with funding with European structural funds. Apart
from dealing with the discrimination issues, the project also addressed the employment problem,
which among the Roma community in Maribor is at about 95%.
Ms Indrė Augutienė from Lithuania presented a project called ‘CHARM: Civic Help for AntiRacist Measures’. The main goals of the project are to target youth organisations in order to reduce
stereotypes, racism and other kinds of discrimination that should not exist within projects and to
promote main stream anti-racism policies. The basic principles of the organisation are as follows:
The trainer team is very diverse and inclusive; building trust; becoming owners of the issues –
explore them deeply; getting into the shoes of marginalized groups; how does it feel to get
excluded from the group?; complexity – the rights of minorities sometimes violate the rights of
the majority. The training is aimed at representatives and youth workers from youth organisations.
It is a training for trainers with those being trained expected to reproduce the work in their own
organisations and communities. One of the reasons for this project is that despite the fact that
trainers have an overall positive attitude towards inclusion of people, they sometimes lack the
competences to do it or they are unaware of stereotypes they possess themselves.
20
Ms Alisa Karpovich from Belarus gave a presentation about inclusion at the local level. Her
organisation ‘Youth Education Centre, FIALTA’, was established 18 years ago, however two years
ago the approach of the organisation had a shift. They created an open youth centre which is
something new in Belarus. It has opening hours, when young people can come to spend time
there and do something. Youth workers are also available at that time to help young people with
their problems and to nurture initiatives. The centre was established during one project and now
it is maintained mainly on voluntary basis. By not having specific tasks / obligations there is less
pressure on the young people so it encourages more people to come, especially those who
would not normally come to organised activities.
Quality in youth work
When the participants were asked where they saw quality in youth work from these examples
and their own work and what it consisted of, they discussed a large number of elements.
From the beginning any quality project needs to be a good clear idea, such an idea needs
strong leadership and a professional team to work on it.
For youth work to have quality assurance and integrity it must come from the grassroots and
be based on the real needs of the young people and the community.
Youth workers need to be creative and open minded, willing to change the traditional
frameworks if that means keeping young people in the middle.
Young people no matter what groups they belong to and how much they identify with a
particular group or style, they are individuals and so a quality piece of work must have an
individualized approach.
Any project must be sensitised to the local cultural reality, the best piece of work in the world
will be useless if the local community attack it and the young people you have worked so
hard with.
Society needs to be made ready for the changes you are planning on making.
The attitude of the people behind the project is also important, motivation and appreciation
of quality is a step towards quality.
Quality needs the involvement of various stakeholders and a good fundraising strategy.
How quality elements increase chances for inclusion youth work?
Quality elements increase the chances of inclusion by making projects more visible and attractive.
Quality projects make better results which in turn have a wider impact. This means that the
next project is more likely to be more accessible to more young people from all aspects and
backgrounds and will help provide better access to excluded young people. There is also the
factor of having a safe environment where all participants are treated equally, the creation of a
secure learning context. Young people having the possibility to be directly involved and to be
able to contribute to the learning experience is highly important, this also assists in the personal
and social development of the young people. If the youth work team acts as role models, their
positive example of interaction with excluded young people provides openings for communication
and trust building with the other young people.
21
How quality inclusion projects contribute to the recognition of youth work?
Where youth work projects show a high level of quality and tackle inclusion issues differently than
other sectors, youth work is taken more seriously. Projects can also support other sectors, young
people excluded from school and sometimes given up on from the formal education side, can
be fully supported through youth projects which can act in partnership with the formal system
while advocating on behalf of the young people. Youth work can be associated to as the one
resource that can deal with issues that other agencies and sectors cannot. This makes the unique
character of youth work more visible. An increase in the numbers of successful inclusion stories
is important, not only for recognition but for the real social impact that it has. By using youth
work as a tool that connects youth organisations, government, society and young people, all
levels of public and social life are brought together and made to realize the potential of inclusion.
Ultimately a better attitude from the government can lead to better funding and can lead to better
opinions of the local community.
Challenges and needs
Mr Vladas Lasas, one of the speakers representing the business sector laid down an interesting
and thought provoking question to reflect on when responding to challenges, “For development,
for challenging self, work and organisation, ask yourself, ‘What would Google do?’”. The
participants of the Forum were asked to reflect on challenges and needs on the four different
levels: the youth worker, the local community, the national, and the international. In general terms
inclusion in youth projects should be something natural that goes without saying, however reality
is different. There is a need to deal with inflexible structures and traditions, not just in society at
large but in youth organisations as well. Old and traditional systems are not open to inclusion,
innovation and changing approaches. There is a need to change existing negative mind sets and
attitudes towards minorities when dealing with prejudices and stereotypes within youth work.
There are many issues that need to be taken into account with regards to inclusion, the following
were some of the examples raised by the participants; inclusion of ethnic minorities, economic
exclusion and income inequality, ethnical and religious divisions, and urban versus rural areas.
The lack of formal institutions that prepare youth workers and the absence of accurate definitions
of what a youth worker is not helping. In many countries if you are not a ‘teacher’ or social
worker it is difficult to get access to work with young people. There needs to be a move to
professionalize and allocate funding to train youth workers and train them in speciality areas like
outreach or detached based youth work.
1. Challenges and needs the youth worker faces
A very basic challenge is how to get in touch with various groups of young people. This is not as
crazy as it sounds, many youth workers provide great activities in youth centres but are frustrated
because the young people don’t come. This shows a poor understanding of the situation and the
needs of the community in which they work. Mr Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, freelance trainer
and consultant in youth policy, expanded upon this by highlighting another factor related to the
young people who do attend youth centres. “Activities are often focussed on young people who
are already skilled and are quite active, and it is more about improving their skills and providing
22
them opportunity to be nice and successful patriots of their country.” This is a sign that the youth
workers lack skills, especially when working with young people with minority backgrounds. This
could be a sign of poor youth work preparation and shows clearly the importance of youth worker
training and education. There is a strong need for quality youth worker training in all the regions.
2. Challenges and needs of the local community
The first challenge faced by many in the youth field in relation to youth work and the local community
is the lack of recognition and credit for the work being done. This is first and foremost because
of a lack of interest and secondly because the community often lacks any financial resources
to do anything anyway. Added to this is a common scenario of not having any infrastructure to
support youth activities, including personnel who would have any level of competence to do
anything. Another challenge is in trying to build partnerships in the community, in more isolated
communities there can be negative stereotypes about what youth work is or does, these can be
difficult to overcome.
3. Challenges and needs of the national structures
In too many countries there is still a lack of recognition of youth work. This is for a number of
reasons which include a basic lack of legislation, no quality standards, a lack of political will, or
an authoritarian approach to non-governmental organisations. Mr Andriy Pavlovych, expert from
the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre, explored another important factor in
his speech when he said, “The main problem we face is how to translate the terms we use in
European programmes according to our national language and according to our national realities.
Even now it is not easy to explain what we mean by non-formal education and what we mean
by youth work.” As a result those projects that depend on political programmes and priorities
struggle and the quality of their work suffers. In general at the national level there is a lack of
infrastructure and resources, human resources, time, and financial means. There are all too often
automatic barriers preventing cooperation with institutions, especially schools. In general there
is a poor understanding of the situation and needs of non-included groups, a lack of interest in
inclusion youth work and sometimes a refusal to accept that certain marginalized groups exist.
Many organisations feel a lack of cooperation with government or any other institution on the
national level, especially those directly working with inclusion groups. There is a distinct lack of
inter-sectorial cooperation.
4. Challenges and needs of the international level
The challenges on the international level are complex and more difficult to deal with. Often there
is no regard for cultural differences, no distinction between the needs of one group in one country
compared with another group from another country. Far too often there are political conflicts
between different partners as well as conflicts between different states and ethnic groups. On
top of this quality of youth work and inclusion issues are also competing with other global issues
for the attention of the international level, these include unemployment, hunger, disasters, and a
lack of primary education.
23
Policy makers
Topics and concerns
A number of concerns immediately emerged such as youth unemployment, the lack of legislation
concerning youth issues, the lack of involvement of young people in decision making, the
integration of formal and non-formal education, and the question of how to activate inactive
young people. Discussion went deeper exploring issues related to cultural, ethnic, religious, and
other kind of minorities. The participants focussed on how the political systems do not encourage
active civic participation, they also focussed on the mobility issue that many young people face,
especially those from Eastern Partnership countries.
Actions for quality
Many of the participants felt that the issues already dealt with are related to visibility and the
recognition of youth work and the recognition of the results of youth work. One of the elements
that some of the participants felt hindered this process was a lack of a common definition
of youth work. Under the same theme, others want to see youth work receive official status,
believing that this will ensure funding and also protection from interference by governments
or ideological influence. Some see many of the issues being resolved with proper financial
support. This could also be seen to be connected to expert support and making connections and
cooperation between youth organisations, researchers and universities.
The majority of the participants however felt that in terms of development among policy makers
there needs to be more monitoring of, public institutions that make decisions on financing. They
have too much power to block certain projects based on their beliefs and or stereotypes but
not according to the rules. Change will not happen at the top if it is blocked in the middle. The
participants went on to say that there needs to be a continuous identification of the challenges,
assessment of needs and continually updated recommendations based on research of these
challenges and needs, followed by concrete action.
Implementation
Here several elements received strong support from the participants, again the need for research
was strongly highlighted and that implementation of any decisions should be based on research.
This very much links with another strong response, which is that local politicians should meet and
talk with young people on a regular basis. From this direct interaction, policy documents based
on dialogue between policy makers and youth workers and young people would be stronger and
more effective. Policy also needs to be aimed at the grassroots, localised and not generalised,
and it needs to be developed in such a way that it can be implemented by local / grassroots
actors. Policy makers should consider local level youth workers as partners, as the main ‘tool’
(resource) in the process of developing the youth policy.
Structures working directly with young people
Actions for quality
Under this heading, many of the participants felt that there is still room for organisational
capacity development, that the competences of the grassroots youth workers and organisations
24
need to be built up. Because many cities and rural areas are becoming more multi-cultural and
programmes like the Youth in Action Programme / Erasmus+ are reaching more young people
with opportunities for them to be mobile and experience other cultures, there is a demanding
need for intercultural capacity development in the youth sector. This needs to be specific to local
community realities as well as cultural and economic realities. Further training in youth work is
needed, especially in Eastern Partnership countries in order to increase skills which subsequently
will lead to improving the quality of youth work.
Implementation
The main feeling here was that none of the points raised is about the short term, implementation
requires long term initiatives with strategic approaches (many initiatives start over and over again
never moving forward). Strategies need to be more specific and simple in order to understand
their aims, activities, and timelines. There needs to be a sustainability of human resources,
people from minority groups need to be trained as youth workers to work with their communities
in order to support inclusion. Youth workers need specialist training in areas such as inclusion
work. Different types of youth work need to be regionally and culturally developed and once
developed youth workers need to be trained in these specialisations. Added to this there needs
to be a comprehensive research undertaken of the target groups in order to support a full
understanding of the needs, approaches, and methods that should be utilised. Another train of
thought suggested that there is a need to implement regular monitoring and support of local
projects with continuous and more efficient evaluation. In general there need to be more facilities
and financial support for youth work.
Donor community
Topics and concerns
Accessibility to donors was the main issue raised among the participants, especially for new
organisations, there is a need for effective contact points with resource persons who can
respond to specific needs, these contact points should also be pro-active and not just re-active.
A reference publication of the resources available is seen as something of high value, it should
be customised and region specific detailing support, financial and other, with clear criteria listed
that the donors expect from the organisations and or groups applying. It needs to be informative,
clear and easy to understand, and speak the same language as youth workers.
Actions for quality
Large scale inclusion campaigning could be developed for decreasing prejudices, discrimination,
intolerance, etc. similar to the Council of Europe ‘No Hate Speech Movement’ and ‘All Different –
All Equal’ campaigns. There needs to be clear communication of expectations by donors with
room for the organisations to elaborate their needs. Something of importance to the groups
looking at this question was that there needs to be dialogue between state institutions and youth
work implementing organisations. Meetings and cooperation between donors to coordinate
and harmonize their activities would be a positive step especially highlighted as an issue in the
Eastern Partnership countries. Lastly the participants wanted to push that the various states
should create more favourable conditions for the implementation of projects funded by them, for
example, tax exemption, local support and visibility.
25
Box of self-reflection
Name quality elements based on your work experience? E.g. young people should be at the centre!
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How do these elements that you mentioned help with inclusion in youth work?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How do quality inclusion projects contribute to visibility of the non-formal learning/education and
youth work?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What are the challenges and needs you face in your work towards inclusion and quality in youth
work (youth worker, NGO, municipality, National Agency, etc.)?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
26
Transferability of competences
gained through non-formal
learning in youth work
The Eastern
Partnership Youth Forum
has given me experience
of: non-formal education
transferability and advantages to
formal education; cross-sectorial
cooperation and collaboration for
youth policy; recognition of non-formal
learning at national level with sharing of
good practice.
Ms Lina Murauskaite,
Lithuania
“It’s cool, it rocks :) it is easier to say than to do.” This was the ultimate summary from a group of
participants of the Forum with regards to the subject of ‘Transferability of Competencies’. In the
context of the Forum, the organisers and facilitators used the term ‘transferability’ to mean that
competences gained in and through youth work and non-formal learning are valid and recognised
in other sectors – specifically higher education and the labour market. The Forum as a whole
produced a huge amount of information, good practice examples and learning in regard to all
the aspects of transferability. There was a lot of sharing and agreeing with each other and some
confronting!
So many people working in the youth field are passionate about what they are doing and this came
across in all the discussions, whether from the Open Learning Space, from the Working Groups,
panel discussions, presentations, or speeches and so on… Mr Vladas Lasas, representative of
the business sector, spoke about how as children we learn so fast and intensely, “we make
new lifetime achievements everyday”. He went on to explain that as adolescents we forget
this intensity of learning, yet every non-governmental organisation, every business and every
academic institution needs this level of learning and skill gaining. He referenced youth work and
non-formal learning as the means to restore this intensity.
The biggest task with this subject is the question of assessing the learning outcome based
on experiences, not only the statistics but the value, content and quality as well. How does a
young person evaluate what they have learned and where they can use it in the long-term?
The European Youth Forum made a study that revealed that young people even at a high level
of education were not able to describe what they had learned, (www.youthforum.org). One of
the tools at hand to the non-formal world is Youthpass, this is a great tool to help assess and
recognise learning and show it (www.youthpass.eu).
27
Mr Marcus Vrecer from Austria, a youth worker, spoke of youth work as working for young
people, producing activities which build the future and the today. Youth work must provide the
space for young people to help themselves. In the workshop it was argued that the youth field is
not there to support young people’s development for the future, which is far away, but to develop
it for today.
Youth work needs a dialogue on equal terms with the formal education sector – school and
university levels – and with the employment sector. It is only through dialogue that we can have
common understanding. However the educational systems and understandings of youth work
and non-formal learning vary from country to country, so the transferability of competences from
the non-formal world to formal also depend on the national context. We cannot have a unanimous
understanding or rules about the transfer, we can only encourage the transfer. One participant
expressed this sentiment as follows: “It‘s not possible to have one European master plan of how
to transfer these competences, but there can always be communication and dialogue between
the different sectors.”
Taking into account all of the above arguments, there have been steps in the last years to try
and tackle some of these elements. In order to have transferability there needs to be recognition
of the practice, the learning and the tools that acknowledge what has been learned. Though
recognition is a subject of another chapter, it is touched on here to give context to the subject of
transferability.
Ms Rita Bergstein, SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre, presented the revised
Pathways paper 2.0, originally written in 2011, and how developments on a European level have
been supporting the recognition of non-formal learning. This recognition is leading to a broader
understanding of what is learning outside of the institutional contexts. The Pathways paper 2.0
introduces the concept of 4 levels of recognition: Self, Social, Political, and Formal. Ms Bergstein
argued that there is much more depth than just these 4 areas. She spoke about recognition by
practice, through specific certificates, by personal experience, through success, by the learner,
recognition from a provider organisation, and individual recognition. These are all steps to
transferability.
28
The Forum explored transferability in 4 ways, participants discussed: Civic Participation in
Community and Society Life, Complimentary to Formal Education, Personal and Social
Life, and Employment and Entrepreneurship.
1. Civic participation in community and society life
Transferability of competences gained in non-formal learning and / or youth work activities begins
with personal development and continues with the action of becoming more active in civil
society. The Forum determined that non-formal learning in youth work leads to transferability
through a large number of ways, for example: builds confidence; knowledge, personal level
engagement; improved dialogue; and visibility of activities. Being involved in youth work changes
the way of thinking for many young people, it brings young people to a point of understanding
and empowerment. For example, it can increase awareness about participation in elections, it can
change a negative mentality about voting, young people can come to see that their vote matters
and so they go and vote. Young people start to believe that their ideas and actions can matter and
so they take action. Another aspect on this theme is the international dimension, this empowers
young people to raise their awareness and so share their experiences, implement ideas and
contribute to their community.
2. Complementary to formal education
Whether the formal system is aware of it or not, youth work and non-formal learning is already
complementary to the formal – in a passive way. Through taking part in non-formal learning a
young person becomes, for example, more self-confident, they are already developing a lot of
skills, and it helps in identifying future occupation / studies. All of these elements will support
a young person in school or higher education. On top of this the non-formal helps create an
experience record which adds onto a young person’s formal education background. Formal
education is often accused of limiting creativity and marginalising opportunities, a young person
involved in youth work activities can counter act these negative elements if they should occur.
Ms Justina Vitkauskaitė-Bernard, member of the European Parliament, put the emphasis in a
different way, she was suggesting that the formal education structures need to be pro-active in
seeking out the developments in non-formal learning and youth work and working more closely
together. “As we all know, education is crucial for the prosperity of our society. It is crucial for
growth, innovation and progress in Europe. And in this changing world education system needs
to adapt constantly to the socio-economic developments of society. It has to meet the demands
of the 21st century, which result in perpetual life-learning processes, in mobility and in challenges
for the global knowledge-based economy.”
Mr Lasas, took another approach, he said, “the business sector is looking for innovative people
with more than obligatory formal education.” He added, “Formal education is necessary to have
all the basics of language and communication, but when you receive applications from many
people you look for what this person did more. What was not obligatory, what did they do outside
of the curriculum.” He was emphasising the need for young people to have experiences outside
of the formal education world, to experience life and learning through youth work. Employers are
looking for more than just pieces of paper, they are looking for young people with competencies
and abilities. He spoke passionately about the need for people to be able to be learning all the
time – aware of their “lifelong learning”, to be active risk takers, to take responsibility.
29
During the Forum it was highlighted that among other things participation in non-formal learning
can be a way to help young people decide which direction they want to go with their professional
education. An example was given by Mr Gilles Baccala, Training and Cooperation Coordinator
for the French National Agency of Erasmus+, shared that in France it is promoted for all primary
school-children to participate in activities after school with animateurs. In this way school can
be a place where you can gain key competences as well as the classical school skills. This line
of argument was followed up with the point of view that in many ways young people who have
access to these kinds of experiences are more flexible, more open and study better, compared
to young people who could not participate in similar activities. However this is not all good news,
it was shared that in Austria, educated teachers for high schools generally do not want to have
involvement in this kind of approach and there is a lack of flexibility in the education system as
a whole. In general though the views from the Forum were that both the non-formal and formal
both have a place, Mr Vakis Yiannis from Cyprus stated, “You have to experience both“. Other
views were less diplomatic, Ms Karin Peham-Strauss a youth worker from Austria stating, “The
formal system should approach us!”
3. Personal and social life
The working groups on transferability also explored how this works on a personal level. They
asked the question “What does transfer of competences mean?” and proceeded to develop
a number of responses. On a personal level, the transfer of competences means sharing and
passing to others what has been learned, communicating skills and attitudes – not just in a
work sense but their personal life as well. One of the participants when asked why non-formal
education is important expressed it like this, “in my formal education I learned about facts and
how to do research, but the important thing is not only to know the facts but to be able to
communicate them to people, to be able to enthuse other people to take up the same ideas.
These are things you cannot learn at university, you have to learn them from life.” It means
putting newfound competences into practice, encouraging others by example, implementing,
doing and using all that has been developed. This in turn requires initiatives and practical planning
tools and these require personal reflection, it was stressed that transferability is not an instant,
it requires time and the changing of attitudes, it needs follow-up and it needs feedback. Sadly it
is not something that is happening enough, in essence many of the competences young people
gain in youth work, are not necessarily measurable with classic methodologies. Many questions
were left open; how do people change and if they do how do you know? How to measure
unmeasurable outcomes? A part of the answer to such questions is Youthpass.
4. Employment and entrepreneurship
The Forum had a strong focus on transferability and employment. Ms Algimanta Pabedinskiene,
Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania on the first morning in her
opening speech partly set the tone for the rest of the Forum. She made strong reference to the
responsibility of youth work and non-formal learning to the issue of youth unemployment. She
made specific reference to work with disadvantaged young people and the role of youth work
in the development of young people in general. Ms Vitkauskaitė-Bernard also touched on this
subject, although she took a slightly broader view in reference to the role of those who work
in the youth field, “It is a specific topic and a dialogue that with all of you is very important.
It enables us to find a response to the common challenges in this rapidly changing society
30
and world.” She went on to talk about the impact on young people with the current economic
situation, “Unemployment of youth is the highest in the last 20 years and the risk of poverty and
social exclusion amongst this population group is constantly increasing.”
In general terms it was acknowledged that it is youth workers themselves who need to be
promoting youth work and its benefits among employers. Youth work can create confidence
in young people, through supporting young people to become aware about learning on every
level and developing quality youth work practice, young people can develop their creativity,
autonomy and have their eyes opened to numerous opportunities. This was backed up by Mr
Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, freelance trainer and consultant in youth policy, in his speech when
he said, “the labour market is actively seeking competences which are not provided by the formal
education system but which are provided by youth work through non-formal learning activities.”
In essence there is a long list of the benefits that youth work can bring to young people as a
step toward employment, a whole host knowledge, skills and potential tools that employers
find useful, these include; ability in team work, leadership skills, social competences, positive
attitudes, sense of responsibility, development of communication skills, independence, ability to
set goals, and many others.
Youth in Action Programme 2007 to 2013
Youth work and non-formal learning is happening across the European Union and Eastern
Partnership countries on the local level through unnumbered civil society organisations. It is
supported at international level through the Youth in Action Programme and this work is also
contributing to all the previous listed areas; in civil society, as complimentary to formal education,
towards personal and social development, and supporting employment and entrepreneurship.
Mr Andriy Pavlovych, SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre, stressed this point
in his speech when he said, “In my opinion, the Youth in Action Programme is the main tool of
recognition in Eastern Partnership countries. Due to European Union initiatives youth organisations
in the region got opportunities to develop real activities and real experiences in this field.”
31
The Youth in Action Programme and more specifically its Eastern Partnership Youth Window
have supported the development of skills and competences of young people in both Eastern
Partnership countries and Youth in Action Programme countries. Ms Vitkauskaitė-Bernard stated,
“This programme contributes to establishing new contacts, sharing good practices and helping
young people to benefit from capacity-building opportunities which lead to partnerships and
networks between youth representatives. We can say that this programme also encourages
mutual respect and understanding of common values between young people from these
countries and from the Member States of the European Union.”
Many young people are becoming youth leaders and activists as a direct result of their experiences
and many are learning about political systems through their participation in youth projects. The
European Voluntary Service is contributing to formal professions through the development of
key competences of the young people taking part. Short term European Voluntary Service is
empowering young people to get into the labour market and / or back to school.
Ms Nataliya Kunitskaya is a young woman from Belarus, she took part in music based youth
exchange in Sweden titled ‘Give Music a chance’. She took two weeks vacation from her job at
a bank. Nataliya spoke to the Forum of her experience on that youth exchange, of all the hard
work that she and the other young people undertook. She talked about how the experience had
made her understand that her life could be different, it helped her find herself, developed her selfconfidence. She expressed how they had learned as a group, “I had to learn how to communicate
with others however different they were from me”. From this learning experience she discovered
that ‘group’ meant support and that people she had known only a few days believed in her. On
returning to Belarus she quit her job and focussed herself of becoming an artist with a band as
singer and song writer, “I am now composing music and recording music at home” she told
the Forum. Her first CD will be released in the spring of 2014. She also shared how she was
now volunteering as a mentor for volunteers. For her it was very clear, “Non-formal education
enhances skills and creates openness”, “by stepping into the risk zone you can develop very much”
Box of self-reflection
How does a young person evaluate learning and where outcomes of learning can be used in the
long-term?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What competences can young people gain in your activities/organisation?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
32
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How could you as a youth worker help / support young people to present competences gained in
non-formal learning in the labour market / formal education? (How to transfer these competencies
and qualities to other sectors/fields?)
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How can you make a link / bridge from the youth work sector to other sectors?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
33
Improving tools for recognition
of non-formal learning in
youth work
The Forum was a
great opportunity to meet
many interesting people, exchange
ideas and find partners for the future
cooperation. I got to know about some
tools of recognition and learnt some
examples of good practices. Take care
and try to put into practice all the
useful things you’ve learnt.
Ms Tatsiana Laryna,
Belarus
A large part of the Forum was dedicated to exploring the issue of recognition and the tools
that work towards enabling recognition of youth work and non-formal learning, in essence the
validation of learning in the non-formal learning world of youth work. The main tools focussed
on were Youthpass (http://www.youthpass.eu) and the Portfolio for Youth Workers and Youth
Leaders (http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/youth/Resources/Portfolio/Portfolio_en.asp).
Experience and knowledge that the Forum had in regards to knowledge of and the using of the
existing tools like Youthpass and the Portfolio for Youth Workers and Youth Leaders was actually
quite limited. An indication of the work needed to be done in the promotion of not just youth work
and non-formal learning but of the tools for recognition and validation of learning also. From a
sample of the participants only about 30% had used the Youthpass tool, a much smaller minority
had used the Portfolio and about two thirds had used other tools. When it came to knowledge
the statistics were higher, 90% had knowledge of Youthpass, but still a very small minority had
knowledge of the Portfolio.
Ms Rita Bergstein, SALTO Training and Cooperation, explored some of the issues concerning
Youthpass and recognition. She highlighted that for many youth workers and practitioners there
is a fear of (over) formalisation versus a fear of ’reducing’ youth work to non-formal learning. For
others these recognition tools represent an additional workload for their organisations. However
the SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre with the support of various National
Agencies of the Youth in Action Programme, other SALTO Resource Centres, and various experts,
is working on making the tool more user-friendly, through offering support to users in the form of
training, information and providing it as an online tool.
34
She went on to explain that there are three roles of Youthpass:
Youthpass as a certificate; Youthpass as a process; and the
strategy for recognition of youth work and non-formal learning /
education in the Youth in Action Programme / Erasmus+ and
beyond. In terms of impact and work towards recognition the
statistics on Youthpass speak for themselves. Up to 22nd
October 2013 there had been 264,758 certificates presented
to young people from participation in 22,895 projects by 11,131
organisations. In the two years of the Eastern Partnership Youth
Window there was also quite an impact with Youthpass.
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia
Moldova
Ukraine
36 projects registered
7 projects registered
–
51 projects registered
22 projects registered
28 projects registered
1 557 certificates
888 certificates
921 certificates
1 974 certificates
1 309 certificates
2 538 certificates
The Youthpass impact study11 made a number of recommendations for the future and its continuing work towards recognition.
There needs to be; further implementation and development of
the Youthpass tool, support for recognition of the learning value
of youth work, development of strategies around the different aspects of recognition, and the implementation of further
research.
https://www.youthpass.eu/en/
youthpass/downloads/youthpassimpact-study/
11
These key areas link in with the ten strategic elements of the
Pathways paper 2.0 that are used to put forward the further
development of the recognition of youth work and non-formal
learning. They should be considered at local, national and
international level.
1. Develop a common understanding and a joint strategy in the
youth field and improve co-operation and communication
2. Make the role of youth organisations visible
3. Assure quality and training in non-formal education / learning
4. Increase knowledge about non-formal education / learning in
youth work
5. Develop existing tools further and make them accessible and
transferable
6. Reinforce the political process at European level
7. Link youth to the lifelong learning strategy and vice versa
8. Involve stakeholders of the employment sector
9. Associate the social sector
10. Cooperate with other policy fields and with stakeholders of
civil society
35
The Forum made direct links between the need for recognition of non-formal learning and the
fact that formal learning already has recognition. In other words, it is not possible to look at
the non-formal world without acknowledging and working with the formal. Mr Simonas Gausas,
a researcher at Visionary Analytics, began his input with pointing out that the current formal
education system was developed in 19th century and has not changed much since. He predicted
that in the future there would be an ever greater merging of the formal and the non-formal
learning. Mr Dainius Pavalkis, the minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania
supported this point of view in his speech, “On the practical level, schools are looking for the
new learning environments that would help with enriching and deepening the learning process.
On the other hand, other institutions, such as sport clubs, libraries, museums, regional parks,
day care centres etc. are stressing the importance of their educational goals and actively involve
schools into the design and realisation of their educational programmes. Synchronizing and
complementing formal and non-formal learning environments is one of the vital elements of the
qualitative education.” Mr Pavalkis also stated, “Non-formal education uses a variety of methods
which could be also used in formal education. Moreover formal education could open doors to
use the spaces which are available for providers of the non-formal education.” This was backed
up by Mr Gausas who went on to express that the formal needs to adopt non-formal learning
approaches and that non-formal learning can also benefit from some elements of formal – for
example: validation.
The Working Group titled ‘Improving Tools for Recognition of Non-Formal Learning in Youth Work’
explored in depth the issues related to recognition, both from a positive stand point as well as
a negative one. The participants spent time analysing what works, what does not, what they
could do personally in regards to raising recognition and what they felt should be done on an
institutional level. There was a lot of debate with questions regarding the very essence of the
subject. “Is it good if it’s only self-assessment?” was a challenging question from Ms Anastassia
Putskova from Germany. The discussion centred on the fact that a CV provides references, so any
36
work experience, formal education and or competences mentioned are assessed and recognised
by others. In the case of Youthpass the competencies are self-assessed, therefore they do not
have outside recognition, so how can they have value? This was countered by Mr Gilles Baccala,
Training and Cooperation Coordinator for the French National Agency of Erasmus+, when he
stressed that, “It’s self-assessment in a dialogue with someone else”. In other words Youthpass
is not an isolated tool, it is something that happens in conjunction with peers, youth leaders,
mentors and / or trainers. In Moldova they have taken it a step further and created a group who
are all connected by having experienced the Youthpass process. And this also is a key, Youthpass
is more than a piece of paper, a certificate, “Youthpass is not just a certificate. It is a process and
raising awareness of non-formal learning. The certificate should NOT be the main focus; the main
focus should be on the process.” This stated by Ms Bergstein. Youthpass and self-assessment
was highlighted by the participants as something that does work, not always to its fullest extent
but it does work.
The non-formal and formal education worlds can communicate and cooperate effectively through
the recognition of self-assessment processes – such as Youthpass! An example came from Mr
Pavalkis in his speech, “Lithuanian Universities started developing and introducing the systems
of assessment and recognition of non-formal and informal learning achievements which would
encourage young people and adults with learning achievements gained in different learning
environments to use the opportunity to enter University or labour market.”
An example of recognition in progress came from Moldova where there is a law on volunteering,
this gives volunteers the opportunity to sign a volunteering contract with defined tasks, working
hours and responsibilities. With this you get an identification card that shows you are a volunteer.
This is recognition of experience and competencies gained in law. However it is still the beginning,
not many employers know it and many still do not believe that volunteering is a useful experience
on a social / professional level that can give you competences.
In contradiction to the previous paragraphs the participants highlighted that one of the things that
does not work in terms of recognition is Youthpass and the Portfolio for Youth Workers and Youth
Leaders! This is not as contradictory as it sounds. Whilst these tools are efficient and effective
for the individual who undertakes the process, the lack of recognition of youth work and nonformal learning means that the tools are not always recognised or valued in the labour market or
in institutions of higher education. Mr Pavalkis stated, “At the moment there are only 4 European
countries that have set up national systems for the validation of non-formal and informal learning.”
On another level recognition also needs to be happening closer to home. As participants in the
Working Group expressed, if the youth worker is not interested in Youthpass or doesn’t like it,
then the young people being worked with will miss the chance to have it. Recognition of the
tools at hand needs to begin with the self, if youth workers don’t take things like Youthpass
seriously then our work in non-formal learning will not be as efficient as it could be. Mr Andriy
Pavlovych, SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre, reflected on another aspect
that arose from the ‘Symposium on Youth Policy Cooperation in South East Europe’ in October
2012, a number of representatives from Eastern Partnership countries were present, during
discussions on recognition one of the conclusions of the group was: “maybe we do not need
formal and political recognition in our countries, sometimes it does not help, sometimes it is
better to pay attention to social recognition.” Here the conclusions were leaning towards a bottom
up approach, start with recognition by the youth sector of the youth sector, once this is achieved
37
move to social, then formal and political recognition. Once the
youth field is able to value the existing tools then they can fully
promote them to the other sectors like the business sector.
Mr Peter Matjašič, President of the European Youth Forum,
talked about how the recognition of competences gained in
non-formal learning is a new topic for the Eastern Partnership
countries. He went on to challenge that it will take effort to
experiment with various recognition tools, the creation of new
ones and adaptation of existing ones. There will need to be
cultural sensitivity and cultural needs will have to be taken into
account. The youth sector will have to work at different levels
and with tailor made recognition strategies with politicians,
employers, and researchers, etc.
One of the challenges for the European Union is to look at
and engage with measures that could enable organisations
and institutions to cooperate and develop recognition systems
in these countries. Mr Jan Truszczyński, Director-General DG
Education and Culture, added to this in his speech where he
talked about how from the European Union’s perspective the
validation of non-formal education and importance of youth
work needs to go hand in hand with cooperation with Eastern
Partnership countries. He also talked about the importance of
Youthpass for the region and how he wants to see cooperation
between the youth sector and schools. He closed with saying
that “your voice will be used by us in discussing the way
forward”.
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.
jsp?catId=1079
12
38
Mr Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, freelance trainer and
consultant in youth policy, stated, “In general youth work is
not comprehensive and is not recognised, this recognition
is very much needed in order to have a better focus on the
needs of young people”, he went on to say in specific regards
to the Eastern Partnership countries, “there is sufficient skills
and knowledge available in the region for what is called youth
work in the European Union.” Mr Matjašič went further with his
challenging and suggested that civil society sector needs to work
together to achieve youth work recognition, understanding and
the recognition of the non-formal learning. He gave an example
from Slovenia where four organisations together lobbied the
Government to introduce Youth Guarantee, this is now coming
into force. “The Youth Guarantee is a new approach to tackling
youth unemployment which ensures that all young people
under 25 – whether registered with employment services or
not – get a good-quality, concrete offer within 4 months of them
leaving formal education or becoming unemployed.”12
What can I do about it?
This leads on to the next element that was being explored, ‘what can I do about it?’ As one of
the participants said, “If you want to change the world, you should start from yourself.” Through
promoting the value and process of reflecting on learning and the benefits of non-formal learning,
talking about it with fellow workers and young people, the value of youth work will be promoted
and in the best case scenario, recognised! Mr Pavalkis also commented on this, “Validating
and recognizing competences is important. People are constantly learning everywhere and at
all times. However, learning that occurs outside the formal learning system is often not well
understood, made visible or, probably as a consequence, appropriately valued.”
There are numerous practical things that can be done about this, short trainings on tools like
Youthpass and the Portfolio can be provided – not necessarily by the institutions but by organisations
from the youth field, the people who already know and understand. Promotion campaigns can
be developed for fellow workers, or to highlight the benefits of, for example, Youthpass to young
people, or to promote the value of non-formal learning in the formal education and business
sectors. There are examples from Belarus in the form of Non-Formal Education Festivals,
these are information campaigns that support non-formal learning recognition in practice. Local
organisations and workers could dedicate some time to developing ways of making tools like
Youthpass more appetising, dedicate time in projects for exploring competences gained from the
non-formal learning experiences. If the tools are not utilised they cannot be effective and they
cannot support the recognition process.
What should be done about recognition in general?
Here the focus of discussion was more related to the responsibilities of the institutions, national
and European. The participants want to see a direct push for higher education institutions like
universities to support and encourage students to participate in exchanges and other non-formal
learning activities. Another strong belief was that the Youthpass certificate needs to be promoted
in the business sector by European Commission itself. As in the previous section, here was also
noted that training in how to use Youthpass would also be appreciated by many in the youth field.
As in the example from Moldova with the Law on Volunteering, the participants also wanted
to see a greater promotion by the European Commission of the value of volunteering and its
benefits for both higher education and professional development.
With regards to the tools themselves, the participants proposed that Youthpass should be made
more user friendly, easier to fill in, for example, to have subcategories of the competences and
with easier to understand descriptions of the competencies. There was also a proposal to have
only one Youthpass for each person, this would be a document that could be updated through
a web interface, it would also be possible to print a one page summary for adding to a CV or
passing to an employer, etc. There was a proposal that the Youthpass should be able to integrate
with Europass. Most importantly the Working Group wanted to see a far greater promotion of
Youthpass in the Eastern Partnership countries in order to support youth work in the region.
39
Box of self-reflection
What kind of tools do you know about?
• Which support self-assessment?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
• Which recognise gained competences in non-formal learning / education?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
• Which combine both components?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What did you gain from using one of the recognition tools?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What do you want to be recognised for as someone working in the youth sector?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What should your organisation be recognised for?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What is missing for the better recognition of youth work in your country? How could this be
reached?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
40
Evidence-based youth policy
and strategy development on
local and regional level
Non-formal education
is very important nowadays in
the life of youth. Moreover, not all
countries and everybody recognise it.
We have to share our experiences to
make it different. I believe that in
short time it will be recognised by a
lot of countries.
Mr Ayaz Salmanov,
Azerbaijan
The main concept under this heading was to develop ideas for the future on how to improve
youth policy development on a local level, and how to create youth policy measure which are
inclusive, accessible, and cross-sectorial. This was achieved through discussions, inputs from
speakers and contributors and good practice examples. Mr Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, freelance
trainer and consultant in youth policy, made reference to the Eastern Partnership countries in
his speech, “non-formal education and non-formal learning is appreciated, welcomed and highly
valued, but action plans and strategies are ‘under construction’, they are diverse across the region
but they are dynamically evolving.” It was important to recognise that international cooperation
can support and influence national, regional and local youth policy development. Taking part in
international activities for example, activities supported by the Youth in Action Programme /
Erasmus+ or being at an event such as this Forum, can open links, create connections and future
networks.
One of the starting points for the Forum was the sharing of opinions and understandings on
what is ‘Youth Policy’ and ‘Youth Strategy’. Participants in general said that youth policy is a
vision, a frame for a particular field that is decided at the political level and has an impact over a
certain period of time. Others said that youth policy is a document which includes issues related
to young people. They felt that youth strategy is the tool, it is about development and action, a
strategy needs a time frame, it needs a goal and a proper planning and implementation phase.
The participants went on to say that youth policy and strategy should be interconnected, youth
policy says what should be done, and the strategy presents the implementation measures. They
also identified and highlighted ‘evidence based’ youth policy as something important because
you need indicators on what is being done in order to make possible changes based on evidence
and needs identified. Furthermore there is a need to know what progress has been achieved in
any certain timeframe.
41
Youth policy development needs to be taking place at every level. Ms Algimanta Pabedinskiene,
Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, gave an example of policy
development at the international level. She talked about how a lot of attention at the highest
levels in Europe is being dedicated to youth employment creation and integration into the labour
market for young people. There are a lot of measures under development and implementation
at the moment to develop policy in support of vulnerable young people, young people who are
‘Not in Employment Education or Training’ (NEET). During the summer of 2013, Lithuania and the
rest of the European Union member states and social partners signed the apprenticeship Alliance
initiative. Ms Pabedinskiene emphasised, “we believe this will not only create more opportunities
for young people to gain practical skills in the workplace, but also improve the quality of this type
of learning.” This is an example of policy development at the European level.
In terms of the subject as a whole, there is quite a different understanding and different reality
between the European Union countries and those of the Eastern Partnership. It is important to
build up a common understanding about evidence-based youth policies because not all countries
have documented and legislated youth policy. During the Forum a mapping method was used to
determine which countries have developed a clear youth policy not only in documents but also in
practice, and in which countries there is no formal legislated youth policy but it still exists and in
which countries there is no local youth policy.
Developing youth policy with young people
One of the most obvious aspects is that both the youth workers and the young people need to be
willing to be involved in the development of youth policy. There is an important agreement that
the voices of young people need to be heard, but how can this be achieved. Different ways and
approaches were explored. Young people can receive training on how to articulate their needs
but there should also be training courses for policy makers on basic youth work practice in order
to understand young people and in order to learn how to listen to young people. Youth policy
needs to come from the young people, from the bottom up, not from the top down, though it
is necessary to understand where youth policy fits into the bigger picture. But it needs to be
developed in cooperation with government. It is counterproductive to empower and train young
people to make changes if there is no one there to listen to them and willing to cooperate with
them. Professionals working in the youth field and youth researchers are also resources that
should be reached out to. Attracting excluded and hard to reach young people can be difficult
but sometimes it needs young people who are already willing to be involved to act as catalysts
to attract others. Also, knowing that young people are much more mobile nowadays, within
their region and country and other countries, it is important to ensure coherent youth policy
implementation and information between and within countries. Action plans can be developed
for different levels, local and regional. Youth councils can be developed also for different levels,
individual schools, city wide and or region wide.
On the local and national level youth organisations can often be in competition with one another,
either because of funding or politics, however for coherent policy development a more cooperative
approach is needed. In order to reach young people in the first place the youth organisations
need to be making awareness raising campaigns. Spreading information by different methods,
for example, a website by a youth organisation is not enough, some young people especially
42
in Eastern Partnership countries don’t have internet connection, especially those in rural areas.
Different methods and mechanisms on how to spread information are needed. Also not using a
political language is crucial, any documentation needs to be in a language that is understandable
by young people. If a young person does not have a certain level of education or does not
understand the terminology then they are excluded. Different language for different linguistic
groups or certain disabled groups should also be taken into account.
Youth policy
Actors in
the youth field
Young people
For full accessibility of youth policy one group came up the concept of a triangle, on the bottom
corners are the ‘actors’ in the youth field (youth councils, youth workers, youth researchers, etc.),
and ‘young people’. On the top of the triangle is ‘youth policy’ itself. Each element of the triangle
interacts and influences the others, not in one direction but in both directions. For example young
people are influenced by youth policy and at the same time they need to be influencing youth
policy.
It was agreed that there are different dimensions or types of accessibility in the context of youth
policy. There is accessibility to youth policy, meaning being able to shape policy and access to the
policy documents themselves. Then there is accessibility to young people as the target group.
Youth organisations generally are seen as the main channel to reach young people and of youth
participation in influencing and having a voice in youth policy development. On the other hand
youth organisations can become an obstacle, if they are not open enough and accessible to
young people for this kind of work.
It is important to maintain a regular assessment of the effects of any youth policy on young people.
Any youth policy needs to be sustainable, therefore it has to be a process that is continually
developing and evolving. Information and awareness raising is needed in order to inform those
who work on the policies what is going on and in which direction things are heading in.
Cross-sectorial work
Ms Pabedinskiene referenced how this Forum had come together, the Lithuanian Presidency
made the choice to give a special focus to ‘youth’ as an initiative during its presidency of the
European Union. It cooperated with the youth sector to create this Forum. Interestingly the
Forum itself is a good example of cross-sectorial work in practice, the combination of different
Lithuanian Government ministries, the youth sector, the European Commission, the European
43
Union and Council of Europe Youth Partnership, and elements of the business sector all worked
together to produce and implement the Forum.
She went on to stress and emphasize the importance of cross-sectorial cooperation. That
collaboration across sectors and levels is important, not just on the local level but the international
as well. She gave an example of close cooperation being developed between Lithuania and
Georgia and of a developing cooperation agreement with Moldova. She also mentioned that
Azerbaijan for several years had been working with the Lithuanian Social Security and Labour
ministry.
The Forum participants also explored the cross-sectorial approach, it was felt that all youth policy
development needs to include cross-sectorial cooperation and vice versa. Even on the localised
level, cooperation with different ministries is important. Any policy development needs dialogue,
understanding, diversity, cooperation and collaboration. No one policy only affects one field, youth
policy does not stop influencing or having an effect just because someone is older or younger.
Young people are part of the wider community so the wider community is going to be affected by
any youth policy that is implemented. The opposite will also be true, other policies in other fields
also have an impact on young people.
It makes sense then to involve in working groups a relevant spectrum of other agencies, experts,
institutions, the public and government departments and other relevant stakeholders, and to
make the youth voice heard in other policy developments.
Some of the participants talked about how data and information collection on local level can be
relatively easy but it can be substantially more difficult to do it on a regional level. The group
expressed the need for cross-sectorial cooperation to support data and information collection.
It is crucial to have a common understanding and common aim between different sectors, this
can only be done by a regular communication and the exchanging of information. Developing
youth policy also needs substantial human and financial resources, not all of which are readily
available in the youth sector, again proving the importance of cross-sectorial work. This can also
be extended to include a co-management structure of any team developing youth policy.
Box of self-reflection
How can you develop better knowledge of youth policy on your local level and on an international
level? How you can use the opportunities of Erasmus+?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
44
Who are the cross-sectorial partners you could involve in any youth policy future developments?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How can you become involved in the implementation of cross-sectorial evidence-based youth policy
on local and national levels?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
45
Making the results of nonformal learning in youth work
visible on local level
The Forum has inspired
me in terms of methods,
ideas and motivation. Such
professional approach towards
youth work shall be also
visible in our local activities.
Mr Piotr Warzyszynski,
Poland
The Forum sort to create a common list of the key words associated with visibility and then
to explore the main ideas and definitions. It did this through the guest speakers, through the
examples from contributors and the shared experiences of the participants of the Forum.
This subject attracted a lot of participants. It is a subject close to the heart of many and it is
something that most people in the youth field have an opinion about. Many examples exist and
these were presented at different moments during the Forum. One of the most interesting for
many people was the introduction of the Learning Badges1 during the Open Learning Space,
although primarily a recognition tool, these were a particularly popular approach to visibility that
created a bit of obsession with some of the participants during the Forum.
It was important for the participants of the Forum to explore the different learning spaces, to
be able to brainstorm, speak and share with people from their own countries, as well as other
Programme and Eastern Partnership countries. The ability to discover different examples, new
experiences, skills, knowledge and contacts was an important factor for the Forum in general but
especially for this subject.
There were a number of activities that were open throughout the Forum where everyone present
was invited to take part. ‘Make yourself VISIBLE!’ was an introductory activity that asked people
to leave an outline of their handprint on a wall at the entrance to the Forums working space. In
the hand they were asked to write their name / country / organisation / short message, quote,
or slogan. There was a ‘Magnet Board’ with colourful letter magnets, participant could use the
magnets to create statements about visibility in non-formal learning. At the ‘Non-Formal Learning
Tree’ participants could reflect on the results and outcomes of the non-formal learning and write
them on leaves that were then placed on the tree. There was also a ‘Gallery of Visibility Tools’
where participants were asked to leave printed materials, photos, videos, publications, etc.
46
Different activities during the learning space provided opportunity for everyone to see the
widespread amount of tools, experiences and actions that have and are taking place across the
Programme countries and the countries of the Eastern Partnership.
In her opening speech Ms Lilija Gerasimiene, Director of the National Agency of the Youth in
Action Programme in Lithuania, stated that this Forum is strongly linked to the visibility created
by the Eastern Partnership Youth Window. “The inspiration to organise the Eastern Partnership
Youth Forum also came by the successful practice of the implementation of the Youth in Action
Programme’s Eastern Partnership Youth Window.” She went on to explain that the European
Union ‘Strategy for Youth’ 2010-2018 holds a number of recommendations on the validation of
non-formal and informal learning which are linked to recognition and visibility. She also stressed
that this Forum was itself a means of visibility, the Joint Conclusions that came out of the Forum
were presented to the to the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit. “It is important that not only
presidents and prime ministers come together to cooperate. We are happy that with this event
we will highlight youth and non-formal education recognition issues in this context.” However
there is still a long way to go, as Mr Andriy Pavlovych, SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus
Resource Centre, highlighted, “Youth work in many cases is invisible, in some countries youth
work is considered as social work while in others it is not presented at all as a specific strategy
of youth policy in that country.”
Ms Algimanta Pabedinskiene, Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania,
talked about the importance the Lithuanian Government placed on the recognition of non-formal
learning and work with young people especially. She talked about how non-formal learning can
act as complimentary to formal and thereby to the empowerment of young people.
47
For the majority of the participants the concept of visibility was much more linked to the
grassroots level. Mr Gertraud Illmeier, presented the project ‘South Caucasus – A Part of Europe’
developed by ‘Interkulturelles Zentrum’, an Austrian organisation. Their aim was to raise public
awareness of development issues among young people in Europe through the use of media
products such as photography, video, audio and texts. The project brought together young people
from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Lithuania and Austria. They were trained to use multimedia
instruments by media experts. The topic they worked on was related to their personal and social
life, it was about family, friends, neighbourhood, dreams and visions for their future. It was
important to let them express themselves and intervene only if necessary. The media work
the young people produced was exhibited in Vilnius, Kaunas, Anyksciai, Nida, Vienna, Linz and
Innsbruck. There were also several media reports, website logs, etc. After the exhibitions the
material was given to schools and libraries. This helped to reach different people from different
parts of society. A combination of good strategy, attractive materials and some excellent
partnerships made this a strong project that gained a lot of visibility for the promotion of youth
work and non-formal learning through the work of the young people themselves.
Another example was given by Mr Arsen Simonyan from Stepanavan Youth centre, Armenia.
He presented the project ‘Snapshot to Environment’, a Youth Exchange under the Youth in Action
Programme. The project and its results were made visible at local level with the idea of reaching
local young people who were not very socially active. They used a variety of social media such
as: YouTube, Vimeo, Picasa, Foursquare, blogs, Prezi, videos, flyers, articles, and media/news
platforms. They also made an exhibition containing over 200 photos taken by the youth exchange
participants, they created a YouTube channel, a Facebook group and a Facebook event. Also the
project took place in a small town, therefore many people got to know about it through personal
contacts.
The third example from the Working Groups was provided by Mr Przemyslaw Mirowski,
a representative of Polish Youth Council and Mr Mateusz Czosnyka, a representative of the
association ‘Projekt Tarnów’, Poland. Together they presented their experience of organising and
promoting a big Youth Forum in September 2013 in Torun. It was an international youth meeting
that gathered around 100 people. They had a number of tools at hand for creating better visibility,
including one unique one. They used press conferences, social media – YouTube / Facebook /
Twitter, local media, and photos and video. The unique element they had and used was the
President’s patronage of the event. This by default created a larger media interest and therefore
much larger media coverage.
There were a larger of number of examples provided from the participants, the following are
some more examples in brief.
In Latvia they created a project called ‘Coffee with Politicians’, organisations call and invite
politicians or other experts for a coffee, everything is kept simple and very informal. This
brings the opportunity for a deeper conversation on various topics and issues and leads to the
establishment of closer relations with different stakeholders or decisions makers.
In Belarus a group of young people created a cartoon, (http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v+tul63MCxZao), ‘RADA’ was the organisation behind it, though the cartoon is about the
promotion of Belarus and its history the fact that it is produced by young people from a youth
organisation is the point with regards to the visibility of non-formal learning and youth work.
‘Find yourself- Find your EVS!’ is a video on the visibility of EVS created by ex-EVS volunteers
48
from Ukraine and Moldova. There were a number of actions from Moldova; there was the Youth
in Action Programme Info Kiosk at Europe Day in Chisinau, there was the photo exhibition ‘Mind
Your Heritage!’ developed and created as a direct result of an international youth exchange
that took place in Chisinau and finally also in Chisinau there were two SALTO Eastern Europe
and Caucasus Resource Centres EVS promotional events: ‘EVS City Quest’ and the ‘EVS Salsa
Flash Mob’, these were accompanied by press conferences, an EVS open air party, EVS public
presentations.
Interkulturelles Zentrum from Austria have printed promotional materials on their visibility
education projects in Caucasus.
The Youth in Action Programme has a number of useful publications: Making Waves! SALTO
Inclusion Resource Centre booklet and Pathways II towards recognition of non-formal learning.
The main point from these examples is that visibility does not happen by itself, it has to be
thought through, needs a strategy, imaginative, worked on and developed, and you have to use
the tools to hand, whether that be Facebook, coffee, a history project or a Presidents patronage.
Questions explored
A number of questions and issues were explored during the Forum with regards to the concept
of visibility.
What is the aim of visibility campaign?
Participants expressed that the basic need was to increase the level of awareness of the
importance of non-formal learning and to show the public that the concept is important. The
work of visibility needs to involve and inspire people and to send a clear message that the voice
of young people is important.
It was clear from the discussions that participants want to make activities, project results and
achievements of youth work and non-formal learning visible at a local level. There is a desire in the
youth field to promote youth work and volunteering to people in the wider communities where
the young people live, in order to reach new people, both young people and the broader adult
population, to cooperate and so work together.
Box of self-reflection
What from your work can you make visible in your community?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What could be the aim of your visibility campaign?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
49
What are the expected outcomes of a visibility campaign?
The responses here fell into three clear categories, firstly it was felt that the expected outcome
should be very much linked to recognition, higher visibility equals a move toward recognition.
People in society would get to know the projects and therefore the work of the youth sector and
as people in society gained more awareness of the quality of the work being undertaken then it
would also come to the awareness of government which in turn would start to give higher value
to the non-formal learning and youth work.
The other aspect here is that as awareness and interest builds about the youth work and nonformal learning activities being made visible, more people are encouraged to participate. Not
just harder to reach young people but the adult community as well. More visibility equals more
interest which can lead to new partnerships – from other sectors – new volunteers and new
sources of funding. The third aspect is related to the pedagogical aspect, through visibility a
message about the use of non-formal education is being successfully passed on to others, more
people will gain knowledge, more people will have a defined message of what is non-formal
learning and its relevance in their lives.
Box of self-reflection
What would be your expected outcome?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How could you build interest in your work?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What can be used in a campaign?
Here the participants explored a number of options, as in one of the presented examples, access
to the governmental level was seen as a good thing. Using social media, again something that
appears in nearly all examples, but not just using, learning lessons about how to use social media
effectively is important. Cooperation with institutions such as universities can also be useful in
a campaign as well as accessing where possible the business sector. It was pointed out that in
fact the very nature of non-formal learning equips us with a much of what is needed in terms of
competencies for any visibility campaign.
Box of self-reflection
Do you have access to someone in local government?
• If yes, what approach can you use to get their attention and support?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
50
• If no, how could you get access to someone?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
Who or what else could you make use of, for your campaign?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What are the possible challenges in the realization of visibility
campaign?
The main two aspects here were ‘a lack of enthusiasm’ and ‘a lack of finances’. The enthusiasm
issue can affect every campaign, especially with a lack of media, institutional and public support.
This can then quickly become a lack of enthusiasm and or motivation within an organisation
among workers and young people alike. The finances issue does not always have such a high
impact, many of the examples explored by the group do not include any financing, for example,
utilising social media!
Box of self-reflection
What do you think would be your first challenge and how could you overcome it?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
How can we ‘measure’ (better assess) the results of visibility
campaign?
The obvious result of any visibility campaign is an increase in the number of active young people in
the organisation or at least linked to the organisation. Young people will have a greater knowledge
of what non-formal education is and hopefully will develop their own initiatives. The benefit in
turn from this is that policy makers will be able to see these new competencies of these young
people in action in their work, social, and academic lives. This could see a positive influence from
Government for youth programmes.
Box of self-reflection
How will you measure the results of your visibility campaign?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
51
Who are the target groups of visibility campaigns?
The target group or groups very much depend on the situation. Most are reasonably obvious:
the local authorities / government, young people, parents, the general public, other youth
organisations, education institutions, business sector and so on…
In terms of politicians, the municipality and other related stakeholders there can often be
problems getting the mass media’s attention even with the municipality on board. The other main
issue experienced is a weak agreement or poor cooperation between the youth organisation
and the other stakeholders in this category. In order to tackle these issues long term strategies
need to be employed, continuous contact with media, continuous building of a good image,
continuous promoting of youth issues in the media, building trust and getting the municipality to
see the quality and stability of the work being undertaken in order that they take seriously their
commitments to the youth organisations.
Another target group to give some focus to is the business sector and potential employers.
Personal contact is important, through personal contact it is possible to show the benefits of
non-formal learning and the level of competencies that can be achieved in social, personal and
educational development. Specific targeting of media campaigns can also be useful in making
what the non-formal learning and youth work have to offer in the work place. There are also the
tools of recognition that can be used and promoted, Youthpass and the Portfolio for example.
Formal education representatives and institutions come with some traditional issues. There is
often a lack of trust between the formal education institutions and representatives and the youth
sector with its non-formal education approach. Persistence is the key here, long term contact,
building confidence, working in cooperation and conducting non-formal education activities
at the school or other educational institution. Involve staff in activities and where possible in
mobility programmes and activities in the new Erasmus+ Programme. This has an impact on the
grassroots level of the institution that is education and through changes at this level openings can
be created to have influence and make changes at policy and governmental levels.
Finally young people and their parents are also a target group and also come with their own
associated problems. In far too many cases parents do not have time to communicate with their
children and therefore do not know what they are doing and the benefits it has. In most cases the
use of social media with parents is probably not the right approach, the right media needs to be
worked out used appropriately. Whether targeting other young people or parents it is important
to find the right message, language, and visibility tool in order to address both sides effectively. It
is important to build parents’ trust in non-formal learning and education. There is always pressure
from society that children and young people have to concentrate on traditional formal learning,
the role of the youth sector is to work slowly against this pressure and keep offering alternatives.
Box of self-reflection
List the targets of your visibility campaign?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
52
How will you approach each target group?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
What kind of message does the target group need?
The message and the content of the message will always depend on the target group and
any specific agenda of the visibility campaign itself. Good practice testimonies and examples
are always useful, highlight the benefits and the depth of quality of non-formal learning. Any
message also needs to include something that raises the voice of their needs and expectations
and future hopes.
What will be the message for each of the target groups?
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
..............................................................................
Appendix 1
Facilitating team
Alina Schneider, Moldova
Alina has five years’ experience in the field of non-formal
education under the Youth in Action Programme, as an EVS
volunteer, youth worker and multiplier. She has implemented
numerous activities to promote the visibility of non-formal
education projects in Moldova; local and regional meetings with
young people, cooperation with SALTO Eastern Europe and
Caucasus, running Europe Day activities, producing monthly
newsletters, conducting interviews for local media, producing
photo exhibitions and creating dance based flash mobs.
Andriy Donets, Ukraine
“Non-formal learning is my passion”. Andriy has been active in
the field since 2002, learning, experimenting, creating, failing
and succeeding. He has been involved in the promotion of
the Youth in Action Programme in Ukraine on different levels
since it became accessible for young people in the country. He
continues contributing toward the recognition of non-formal
learning both with young people and with those involved in the
formal educational system.
Anna Yeghoyan, Armenia
Anna has been working in the field of youth work, youth training
and youth policy in Armenia for over 10 years, she has been
an active advocate of youth participation on all levels: from
community development to policy making. Anna has significant
experience in grassroots youth work, capacity development,
voluntary work and accessibility of non-formal education.
She has been actively involved in the promotion of the Youth
in Action Programme both as a member of the Network of
Multipliers (SALTO EECA) and as a leader of ‘Youth Initiative
Centre’ NGO, Gyumri.
54
Baiba Abolina, Latvia
Baiba has more than 10 years experience working in formal and
non-formal education settings. She learned how to link these
approaches and develop a more holistic approach to personal
development of young people. She has worked with almost all
possible target groups of young people with fewer opportunities
as well as different professionals like teachers, social workers,
prison workers, municipality representatives, etc.
Behrooz Motamed-Afshari, Austria
Behrooz has over 20 years work experience in the youth field
and non-formal youth work, both at national and international
levels. He has extensive experience as a trainer, facilitator
and manager in non-formal education and learning. He has
a comprehensive knowledge about and work experience in
Eastern Partnership countries, especially in the youth field
since 2004.
Eduard Mihalas, Moldova
Eduard is a youth leader from the Republic of Moldova, he
promotes youth participation in decision making process. He
was the coordinator of the development cooperation between
the Ministries and the National Youth Councils from the
Black Sea region. In 2012, he was a member of the steering
committee of the ‘Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum’
which promoted the role of youth organisations in achieving
reforms in Eastern Partnership countries. At national level, he is
President of the National Youth Council.
Giorgi Kakulia, Georgia
Giorgi has over ten years experience in youth work, training,
youth policy and youth participation. He has been involved as
a trainer, consultant and or project manager in many national
and international youth projects. His main fields of expertise are
the following: peace building and conflict transformation, youth
policy and youth participation, project management, European
youth programmes, European citizenship, intercultural learning
and non-formal education.
Lala Rzayeva, Azerbaijan
Lala has been working on youth policy development of
Azerbaijan. She works as senior adviser at projects and regional
affairs sector at the Azerbaijan Youth Foundation.
55
Marius Ulozas, Lithuania
Marius has been working on youth policy and youth work
development in Europe for the last ten years. He has experience
working with: youth organisations, delivering training, conducting
research and analysis, consulting various stakeholders on policy
development, moderation of conferences, publications, and
European Union youth policy development.t
Maryna Korzh, Belarus
Maryna has worked as a trainer/facilitator in the field of youth and
non-formal education since 2004. She has mainly run trainings,
at local and international level, on the quality of youth work, and
the quality of non-formal education/learning methodologies.
More recently she has been actively working as a consultant
and trainer with non-governmental organisations dealing with
inclusion and young people. She has been promoting inclusion
as a cross-cutting issue in projects developed for European
Commission helping to integrate inclusion into the everyday
practice.
Nerijus Kriauciunas, Lithuania
Nerijus was born in Lithuania and is currently living in both
Yogyakarta (Indonesia) and Europe. Nerijus works as a freelance educator and consultant in the fields of non-formal
education and youth work. He works extensively with the Youth
in Action Programme. Inspired by the concept of Open Badges
he is involved in developing UNIQUE Learning Badges as online solutions for the recognition of skills and achievements for a
wide range of learning contexts. He practices entrepreneurship
through co-managing the training centre Daugirdiskes and the
organisation Nectarus.
Zilvinas Mazeikis, Lithuania
Žilvinas got involved in youth work quite accidentally without
knowing of its existence at all. By trying to get a better and
more suitable approach to young people, he discovered nonformal education. He has a background in working in an open
youth centre, counselling young people on an SOS help-line,
and working with young people at risk. Currently he is working
for a non-formal education programme called ‘The Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award’, trying to make it more inclusive and ensure
its quality.
56
Appendix 2
Organisers and
partners
The European Commission
The European Commission represents the interests of the EU as a whole. It proposes new
legislation to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and it ensures that
EU law is correctly applied by member countries.
More information on website: http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm
Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour is a coordinating authority with regard to the
implementation of youth policy in Lithuania. Lithuanian youth policy is targeted at young people
(aged 14–29) who presently amount to more than 800,000 (24 per cent) of the country’s
population. Legislation provides for the opportunity for young people to take part in relevant
decision making and its’ implementation at both local and national level.
More information on website: http://www.socmin.lt/index.php?-1908510227
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania
Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the central institution of the Republic of Lithuania
implementing Lithuania’s foreign policy and co-ordinating activities of other public institutions in
the foreign policy field. The mission of the Ministry is to represent the legitimate interests of the
Republic of Lithuania and its citizens in international organisations and worldwide.
More information on website: http://www.urm.lt
Partnership between the European Commission and the Council of
Europe in the field of youth
Since 1998 the partnership between the Council of Europe and the European Union in the field
of youth (“EU-CoE youth partnership”) provides an added value to the political priorities and
programmes of the two institutions and their partners and fosters cooperation, complementarity
and synergies in the field of knowledge based youth policy and support and recognition of youth
work. Special attention is paid to the geographical scope of activities in Eastern Europe and
Southern Caucasus, South East Europe and the Southern Mediterranean and to the dissemination
and publication of results. A close involvement of young people, youth workers, youth researchers
and youth policy-makers is essential.
More information on website: http://youth-partnership-eu.coe.int/youth-partnership/
57
European Youth Forum
The European Youth Forum (YFJ) is the platform of youth organisations in Europe. Representing
99 youth organisations, both National Youth Councils and International Non-Governmental
Youth Organisations, we believe youth organisations are the tool through which we empower,
encourage, involve, represent, reach out and support young people. The Youth Forum brings
together tens of millions of young people from all over Europe, organised in order to represent
their common interests.
More information on website: http://www.youthforum.org/
SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource Centre
The Training and Cooperation Resource Centre supports the National Agencies for Youth in Action
in developing the quality of their training strategies and courses. To foster the recognition of nonformal learning within Youth in Action, we develop and implement Youthpass, a European level
validation instrument, and thereby contribute to the general quality development and recognition
of non-formal learning in European youth work.
More information on website: https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/training-and-cooperation/
SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre
SALTO EECA Resource Centre supports the cooperation within the YOUTH in ACTION Programme
with Neighbouring Partner Countries from Eastern Europe and Caucasus Region: Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.
More information on website: https://www.salto-youth.net/rc/eeca/
The Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
The Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) is responsible for the
management of certain parts of the EU’s programmes in the fields of education, culture and
audio-visual. Unit P6 is responsible for the management of centralised actions under the Youth
in Action Programme. The EACEA, since 2012, has responsibility for managing applications and
projects promoted by organisations from the Eastern Partnership countries.
More information on website: http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/index_en.php
Interkulturelles Zentrum - Österreichische Agentur ‘Jugend in
Aktion’ in Austria
Interkulturelles Zentrum (IZ) is an independent non-profit organisation based in Vienna, Austria
aiming at the enhancement of intercultural relations both on national and international level. IZ
promotes the development of communication between people of different cultural origin and
educates people to carry out practical, intercultural work – for more than 25 years. In January
2007 Interkulturelles Zentrum became National Agency for the EU-Programme Youth in Action
Programme.
More information on websites: www.iz.or.at, www.jugendinaktion.at
58
Foundation for the Development of the Education System National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme in Poland
The aim of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System is to support, in its
broad sense, activities serving the development of education in Poland. The FRSE realises its aim
through the coordination of educational programmes of the European Union, among others. The
programmes include such participants as children, young people and adults – from pre-schoolers
to senior citizens. One of the programmes is Youth in Action programme which is addressed to
young people aged 13-30 and youth workers. The programme supports non-formal education,
gives young people the opportunity to enjoy international experiences, go on adventures, youth
workers gather new ideas, policy makers are looking beyond their frontiers.
More information on websites: http://www.mlodziez.org.pl/, www.frse.org.pl
British Council - The United Kingdom National Agency of the Youth
in Action Programme
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other
countries and builds trust between them worldwide. The British Council also administrates Youth
in Action programme in the UK. It awards grants to groups of young people, individuals and youth
workers who want to organize projects, which helps young people to learn new skills, increase
employability, and develop as responsible citizens.
More information on website: www.britishcouncil.org/youthinaction
Jaunatnes starptautisko programmu agentura – the Latvian
National Agency of the Youth in Action Programme
Agency of International Programs for Youth is subordinated to the Minister of Ministry of
Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia. The objective of Agency is to promote youth
activities and mobility, to work with voluntary services for youth, non-formal learning and youth
information programs and projects as well as support the link between non-formal learning and
lifelong education.
More information on website: http://www.jaunatne.gov.lv/en/about-agency
Lithuanian Youth Council (LiJOT)
Lithuanian Youth Council (LiJOT) – the biggest non-governmental, non-profit umbrella structure
for Lithuanian national youth organisations and regional unions of youth organisations. LiJOT was
founded on the 19th of September 1992. Currently LiJOT has 64 members (non-governmental
youth organisations), and represents more than 200 000 young people in Lithuania. LiJOT is a
full member of the European Youth Forum, one of the biggest non-governmental organisations in
Europe; a full member and founder of the Baltic Youth Forum and National Agency of International
Youth Co-operation, which coordinates the European Union Youth in Action Programme.
More information on website: www.lijot.lt
59
Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Security and
Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
The Department of Youth Affairs is one of the main institutions working in the field of youth policy.
The Department of Youth Affairs works out and implements the state youth policy programs
and measures, analyses the state of youth and youth organisations in Lithuania, coordinates the
activities of the state and municipal institutions in the field of youth policy, as well as performs
such other activities relevant to youth, youth organisations, and organisations working with youth.
More information on website: www.jrd.lt
Coordinator of the event
Agency of International Youth Cooperation
(Agency of the EU programme Youth in Action in Lithuania)
Agency of International Youth Cooperation is a public non-profit institution established in February
1999 by The State Council for Youth Affairs (currently Department of Youth Affairs at the Ministry
of Social Security and Labour) and Lithuanian Youth Council (LiJOT). The main aim of the agency
is to ensure the development of international youth cooperation and successful participation of
Lithuanian youth in European Union programmes for young people.
You can find us:
Agency of International Youth Cooperation
Pylimo st. 9-7, LT-01118 Vilnius
Tel: +370 5 249 7003
Fax: +370 5 249 7005
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.jtba.lt
60
Participants
Appendix 3
Please find the list of participants from the Eastern Partnership and Youth in Action Programme
countries.
All in all, we had 126 participants, 27 representatives of organizing partners, as well as 15
facilitators, 8 members of staff and 7 volunteers.
Country of residence Name, surname
Organisation
Austria
Karin Peham-Strauss
bOJA – bundesweites Netzwerk für offene
Jugendarbeit
Austria
Klaus Schreiner
Austrian National Youth Council (ÖJV)
Austria
Gertraud Illmeier
Interkulturelles Zentrum
Austria
Manfred Zentner
Danube-University Krems, Department
Migration and Globalisation
Austria
Marcus Vrecer
Coobra
Austria
Johanna Tradinik
ÖJV - Austrian National Youth Council
Belgium - FL
Mauro Desira
Koerdisch Instituut Brussel
Belgium
Matthias Christensen
European Youth Forum
Cyprus
Yiannis Vakis
YOUTHNET CYPRUS - Nicosia
Czech Republic
Michaela Cvachová
Česká rada dětí a mládeže
Estonia
Gerd Tarand
Estonian National Youth Council
Estonia
Sandra Kamilova
European Youth Forum
Finland
Peltonen Vilho Petteri
France
Brigitte Daouadi
–
National Agency for Youth in Action
France
Gilles Baccala
Expert
France
Edouard Portefaix
CEMEA Rhône Alpes
France
Stephanie Henry
Dynamiques Plurielles
Germany
Anastassia Putškova
Europe4Youth Germany
Germany
Turkan Huseynova
JEF Flesnburg and JEF Schleswig-Holstein
61
62
Country of residence Name, surname
Organisation
Hungary
Valéria Yurkina
Antall József Knowledge Centre
Hungary
Zora Judit Csalagovits
Tegyunk Egyutt az Ifjusagert Alapitvany - TE IS
Foundation
Hungary
Kristóf Szappanos
Italy
Grazia Mazza
Rassegna Europa
Latvia
Inese Shubevica
NGO Youth leaders coalition
Latvia
Ruta Kronberga
Humana People to People in Latvia
Latvia
Elina Kempele
Trainer for the Latvian NA
Latvia
Santa Krastina
–
Lithuania
Lina Murauskaite
Lithuanian Society of Young Researchers
Lithuania
Rita Škriadaite
A.C.Patria
Lithuania
Indre Augutiene
Jaunimo karjeros centras / Youth Career &
Advising Center
Lithuania
Alina Batuleviciene
An Umbrella association of youth NGO’s of
Jonava district
Lithuania
Inga Cesnaite
NGO “Youth Personal Development Centre”/
“Jaunimo asmeninio tobulėjimo centras”JATC)
Lithuania
Kristina Dambrauskaite
The Youth Academy
Lithuania
Antanas Germanavicus
Raseiniai District Volunteer’s Association
Lithuania
Gintare Greiciute
Raseiniai municipality
Lithuania
Gabija Karackinaite
Vilnius City Municipality
Luxembourg-Moldova
Marian Susitchii
–
Netherlands
Joris Schut
–
Poland
Kevin Kiraga
BSSSC Youth Network
Poland
Mateusz Czosnyka
“Projekt Tarnów” Association
Poland
Przemysław Mirowski
Polish Council of Youth Organizations
Poland
Katarzyna Sadrak
ELSA Krakow
Poland
Piotr Warzyszynski
Europe4Youth
Poland
Agnieszka Czechowska
informal groups
Poland
Adrian Browarczyk
European Students’ Forum AEGEE
Slovak Republic
Katarína Hradská
Association of Youth Information and
Counselling centres in Slovakia
Country of residence Name, surname
Organisation
Slovak Republic
Andrej Dudac
IUVENTA - Slovak youth institute
Slovenia
Stefan Simoncic
Scientific and research Association for
Art, Cultural-Educational programmes and
Techology EPeKa
Slovenia
Andreja Vuk
–
Spain
Maria Campos Munoz
de Morales
Union of Self-Employed Professionals and
Workers of Spain (UPTA)
Spain
Daniel Sors Raurell
–
Turkey
Ugur Yildiz
Substance abuse and disabled youth and
sports club leaders hope the association,
Üçevler Mah.Derince Sok. No:24 NülüferBURSA
Turkey
Duygu Dincer
Marmara University
Turkey
Devrim Hol
Pamukkale University
Turkey
Serkan Atik
Mersin Provincial Directorate for National
Education
Turkey
Cemal Yuksel
Kastamonu Damladan Deryaya Yardımlaşma
ve Dayanışma Derneği
United Kingdom
Maria Breen
WEast Chernobyl
Hungary
Éva Járosi
NCSSZI - Fiatalok Lendületben Programiroda.
NIFSP - Youth in Action Programme Unit
Lithuania
Paulius Mieželis
Education Development Center
Lithuania
Aušrine Minciene
Education Development Center
Lithuania
Šarunas Gerulaitis
Education Development Center
Armenia
Lusine Saghumyan
“Social Participation and Assistance Center for
Equality” SPACE
Armenia
Arpine Mazhinyan
Center for the Development of Civil Society
Armenia
Armenak Minasyants
AEGEE-Yerevan/ Yerevan European Students’
Forum Association
Armenia
Artur Najaryan
“Youth Initiative Centre” NGO
Armenia
Artur Ghazaryan
“Youth Cooperation Center of Dilijan” NGO
Armenia
Ani Mnatsakanyan
International Center for Human Development
Armenia
Arsen Simonyan
Stepanavan Youth Center
Armenia
Hranush Shahnazaryan
Loesje Armenia
63
Country of residence Name,surname
64
Organisation
Azerbaijan
Aydan Karimli
“Great Silk Way” International Youth Union
Azerbaijan
Ayaz Salmanov
Azerbaijani Community of Nagorno-Karabakh
region of The Republic of Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Nail Abdulov
“Great Silk Way” International Youth Union
Azerbaijan
Turkan Vusat Gizi
Ireli Public Union
Azerbaijan
Sadig Rzayev
Fund of Monitoring of Ecological Standards of
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan
Aytaj Pashayeva
AEGEE Baki-European Students Forum
Azerbaijan
Rasim Zeynalov
Aran HRDO
Azerbaijan
Anar Aslanov
Assistance to Solution of Social Problems of
Youth
Azerbaijan
Khalid Rajabli
–
Belarus
Nastassja Kuzmich
IPA “Education without borders”
Belarus
Alisa Karpovich
NGO “Youth Education Centre “Fialta”
Belarus
Anastasia Gvardiyan
Informative-Outreach Institution “Center for
strategic and foreign policy studies”
Belarus
Mikalai Kvantaliani
Steering Committee member of the Eastern
Partnership Civil Society Forum
Belarus
Olga Khabibulina
Office for Initiatives Promotion
Belarus
Kseniya Zhitina
Belarusian Association of UNESCO Clubs
Belarus
Dmitry Dobrovolski
National Council of Youth and Children’s
Organisations of Civil Society of Belarus
«RADA»
Belarus
Gleb Gerasimovich
NGO “OSIB”
Belarus
Artyom Tereshenok
Young Experts Club of the Analytical Centre
“Strategy”
Belarus
Tatsiana Laryna
Hrodna Regional Public Association of Young
Intellectuals “VIT”
Georgia
Nino Chimakadze
Local Government - Tbilisi City Assembly
Georgia
Nugzar Kokhreidze
Research-Intellectual Club “Dialogue of
Generations”
Georgia
Ioseb Khakhaleishvili
Local Democracy Agency (LDA) Georgia
Georgia
Rodami Tsomaia
NGO “Regional Network of Peace and
Reintegration”
Country of residence Name, surname
Organisation
Georgia
Marika Khasia
Educational Resourse Center
Georgia
Giorgi Kikalishvili
Youth Association DRONI
Georgia
Mukhran Guliashvili
–
Georgia
Sophio Mtchedlishvili
–
Moldova
Irina Caisin
–
Moldova
Natalia Roelofs
ADVIT Moldova
Moldova
Doru Curosu
AIESEC Chisinau
Moldova
Alex Petrov
National Youth Council of Moldova
Moldova
Lidia Galus
Oberliht Association
Moldova
Eugeniu Graur
NGO CERTITUDE
Moldova
Adrian Balutel
National Youth Council from Moldova
Moldova
Diana Virlan
Service for Peace
Moldova
Ana Ciolan
–
Ukraine
Ielyzaveta
Shchepetylnykova
Foundation for Kyiv students’ self-government
support
Ukraine
Oleksandr Udot
All-Ukrainian trade union “People’s Solidarity”
Ukraine
Olena Glazkova
Kremenchuk informative-elucidative center
“European Club”
Ukraine
Yuliia Vasylionok
Bila Tserkva Center of Social Services for
Family, Children and Youth
Ukraine
Andriy Kolobov
National Organisation of Scout of Ukraine
Ukraine
Iana Konotopenko
The Ukrainian Youth Forum
Ukraine
Sergii Shevchenko
Gorynka secondary school
Ukraine
Kateryna Kolomiiets
ENPI EU funded project: “Strengthening nonState actors’ Capacities to Promote Reform
and increase Public Accountability”
Armenia
Davit Hayrapetyan
Ministry
Estonia
Aare Vilu
Ministry
Georgia
Akaki Jamburia
Ministry
Luxembourg
Davide Capecchi
ERYICA
Moldova
Sergiu Stanciu
Ministry
Slovakia
Lucia Cerna
National Agency for Youth in Action
65
Country of residence Name, surname
Organisation
Malta
Beverly Saliba
–
Greece
Vasiliki Alexandri
European Youth Forum
Ukraine
Natalia Radchuk
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Moldova
Ion Donea
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Lithuania
Viktorija Bražiunaite
Young Leaders Forum
France
Fouad Achiba
National Agency for Youth in Action
Bulgaria
Emil Georgiev
–
Please find the list of invited guests, partners and organizers of the Eastern Partnership Youth
Forum. The list of volunteers is not presented.
Country of residence Name, surname
66
Organisation
Germany
Rita Bergstein
SALTO Training and Cooperation
Poland
Andriy Pavlovych
SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus
Austria
Andrea Hollenstein
AT National Agency
Belgium
Artur Payer
European Commission
Belgium
Alessandro Leone
European Commission
Belgium
Gabriela Scibiorska
European Commission, Education, Audiovisual
and Culture Executive Agency
Belgium
Ruta Mockute-Stumpf
European Commission, Education, Audiovisual
and Culture Executive Agency
United Kingdom
David Conway
Eastern Partnership Youth Regional Unit
France
Joachim Shild
Partnership between the European
Commission and the Council of Europe in the
field of Youth
Latvia
Liene Vitola
Latvian National Agency
Lithuania
Lilija Gerasimiene
Director of the Lithuanian National Agency of
Youth in Action Programme
Lithuania
Agne Kvikliene
Lithuanian National Agency of Youth in Action
Programme
Lithuania
Loreta Eimontaite
Lithuanian National Agency of Youth in Action
Programme
Country of residence Name, surname
Organisation
Lithuania
Rasa Janciauskaite
Lithuanian National Agency of Youth in Action
Programme
Lithuania
Egle Venckute
Lithuanian National Agency of Youth in Action
Programme
Lithuania
Giedre Kniukštaite
Lithuanian National Agency of Youth in Action
Programme
Lithuania
Mindaugas Kuliavas
Director of the Department of Youth Affairs
under the Ministry of Social Security and
Labour
Lithuania
Jolanta Sakalauskiene
Ministry of Social Security and Labour
Lithuania
Mindaugas Stanys
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Lithuania
Evgeniia Petrivska
The Eastern Partnership Youth Regional Unit
Lithuania
Laura Bacinskiene
Department of Youth Affairs
Lithuania
Milisenta Miseviciute
Department of Youth Affairs
Lithuania
Karolis Žemaitis
Lithuanian Youth Council
Lithuania
Andrius Palionis
Lithuanian Youth Council
Lithuania
Mindaugas Cesiulis
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Spain
Peter Matjacic
European Youth Forum
Lithuania
Guoda Lomanaite
European Youth Forum
Lithuania
Gintare Alaburdaite
Staff
Lithuania
Vaiva Ružaite
Staff
Lithuania
Egle Gendrenaite
Staff
Lithuania
Gintare Vasiliunaite
Staff
Moldova
Radu Gustiuc
Journalist
Moldova
Victoria Puiu
Journalist
Moldova
Mariana Balaban
Journalist
Lithuania
Aida Lumbyte
Staff
67
Appendix 4
Recognition of non-formal
learning and youth work –
Definitions
There are lot of ways to define non-formal learning and youth
work but in this event we will be using the following definitions:
Non-formal and informal learning
European Commission. Validation
of non-formal and informal learning.
http://ec.europa.eu/education/
lifelong-learning-policy/informal_
en.htm
14
According to the European Commission14 non-formal learning
means learning which takes place through planned activities (in
terms of learning objectives, learning time) where some form
of learning support is present. It takes place outside the formal
education, vocational training and higher education, and can
include different activities, such as:
programmes to impart work-skills, literacy and other basic
skills for early school-leavers;
in-company training;
structured online learning (e.g. by making use of open
educational resources);
courses organised by civil society organisations for their
members, their target group or the general public.
Youth work
European Commission. Youth
work. http://ec.europa.eu/youth/
youth-policies/youth-work_en.htm
15
European Commission. An EU
Strategy for Youth – Investing and
Empowering. http://eur-lex.europa.
eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=C
OM:2009:0200:FIN:EN:PDFdo?uri
=COM:2009:0200:FIN:EN:PDF
16
68
Youth work is based on non-formal learning processes and
comprises any form of intentional learning and acquisition of
skills and competences in out-of-school settings. It can be
delivered by youth organisations and other non-governmental
organisations, town halls, youth centres, and other actors.
The participation of young people in youth work activities is
voluntary and learning is linked to a young person’s interests
and aspirations. Youth work is managed by professional or
voluntary youth workers and youth leaders15.
The new European Union Youth Strategy16 for the first time
addresses youth work as a profession and youth workers as a
particular target group.
Recognition processes
Along the political processes in Eastern Partnerships, the
importance of our main topics – non-formal learning and youth
work – have grown very intensively. There are several main
measures that had been taken and processes that have started
in order to ensure the development and recognition of nonformal learning and youth work.
Youthpass17
This is part of the European Commission’s strategy to foster
the recognition of non-formal learning. As a tool to visualise
and to validate learning outcomes gained via Youth in Action
Programme, it puts policy into practice and practice into policy:
Youth in Action Programe.
Youthpass. https://www.youthpass.
eu/en/youthpass/
17
Participants of Youth in Action Programme projects have
the possibility to describe what they have done in their
project and which competences they have acquired. Thus,
Youthpass supports the reflection upon the personal nonformal learning process;
Youthpass visualises and supports active European
citizenship of young people and youth workers;
Youthpass contributes to
recognition of youth work;
strengthening
the
social
Youthpass finally aims at supporting the employability of
young people and youth workers.
69
Appendix 5
Policy papers
Resolution of the Council on youth work18
18
Resolution of the Council on
youth work. http://www.consilium.
europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/
pressdata/en/educ/117874.pdf
Council of the European Union.
Recommendation on validation of
non-formal and informal learning.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/
LexUsriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:
C:2012:398:0001:0005:EN:PDF
19
The resolution (Nov 2010) sets forward a broad definition
of youth work, and among other suggestions, declares that
competences developed through youth work need to be
sufficiently valued and effectively recognised. It acclaims that
Youth in Action provides an important contribution to the quality
of youth work, the development of competences and the
recognition of non-formal learning in youth work. It invites the
Commission to enhance the quality of youth work, the capacity
and competence development of youth workers and youth
leaders and the recognition of non-formal learning in youth
work. It also invites to develop and support the development of
user-friendly European tools (e.g. Youthpass) for independent
assessment and self-assessment, as well as instruments for
the documentation of competences of youth workers and
youth leaders which would help to recognise and evaluate the
quality of youth work in Europe.
Council recommendation of validation of
non-formal and informal learning19
This states that not later than 2018 EU member states should
put in place the arrangements which would allow individuals
validate their experience gained through non-formal and
informal learning and use it in their formal education and work.
70
Pathways 2.0 towards recognition of
non-formal learning/education and of
youth work in Europe20
This is a working paper of the partnership between the
European Commission and the Council of Europe within the
field of youth. The previous paper, which had been released in
2004, served as a basis for important developments concerning
the recognition of learning experiences within the youth sector
in the past years (Youthpass, Portfolio, Bridges for recognition,
European Principles for Validation etc.). The paper encourages
the consolidation of the existing developments and proposes,
in this context, ten recommendations for action:
Pathways 2.0 towards
recognition of non-formal learning/
education and of youthwork in
Europe. http://youth-partnership-eu.
coe.int/youth-partnership/news/
news_188.html
20
1. Develop a common understanding and a joint strategy in the
youth field and improve co-operation and communication;
2. Visibility of the particular role of youth organisations;
3. Assure quality and training in non-formal education/learning;
4. Increasing knowledge about non-formal education/learning
in youth work;
5. Develop existing tools further and make them accessible
and transferable;
6. Reinforcement of political processes on the European level;
7. Link youth to the lifelong learning strategy and vice versa;
8. Involve stakeholders of the employment sector;
9. Associating the social sector;
10.Cooperate with other policy fields and with stakeholders
of civil sočiety.
Council conclusions on the contribution
of quality youth work to the development,
well-being and social inclusion of young
people21
This declares youth work as a key method to support young
people’s participation, development and progression towards
enhancing their strengths, resilience and competences, and
defines the quality youth work.
Council of the European Union.
Council conclusions on the
contribution of quality youth work
to the development, well-being and
social inclusion of young people.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/
uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/
en/educ/137148.pdf
21
71
Timeline
Eastern Partnership
Recognition of non-formal
learning and youth work
2007
Youthpass
2008
2009
1st Eastern Partnership Summit in Prague
2010
Resolution of the Council on youth work
2011
2nd Eastern Partnership Summit in Warsaw
Eastern Partnership Youth Window
2012
Council recommendation of validation of
non-formal and informal learning
2013
3rd Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius
Eastern Partnership Youth Regional Unit
72
2013
Council conclusions on the contribution of quality
youth work to the development, well- being and
social inclusion of young people
Appendix 6
The Eastern
Partnership Youth Forum was
important for me because: we were
discussing so much about inclusion,
visibility and recognition of youth work
which is very important. We must increase
mobility of Eastern Partnership countries
through the Erasmus+ programme. Nonformal learning has a very big role in the
employment process of young people. Formal
and non-formal learning have to work
together to give to young people not only
diplomas, but first of all competences.
Ms Diana Virlan,
Moldova
Programme of the Eastern
Partnership Youth Forum
22nd October
Arrival and registration of participants
15.00
Sightseeing of Kaunas City for those arriving early that day
Interested participants will also be able get to know examples of youth
work on the spot.
19.00
Reception by the mayor of Kaunas Mr Andrius Kupcinskas
Venue: Kaunas Garrison Officers’ Club
19.15
Getting to know each other activities
19.45
Dinner
73
23rd October
9.30
Opening of the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum
Ms Lilija Gerasimiene
Director of the EaP Youth Forum organiser Agency of International
Youth cooperation, National Agency of Youth in Action Programme
Ms Algimanta Pabedinskiene
Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
10.00
Programme overview
10.15
Life journey of young person
Ms Nataliya Kunitskaya
19.15
Keynote speeches: The recognition of non-formal learning/education and
youth work from an EU-Eastern Partnership perspective
Ms Rita Bergstein
SALTO Training and Cooperation
Mr Andriy Pavlovych
SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus
Ms Gabriela Ścibiorska
European Commission, Education, Audiovisual and Culture
Executive Agency (EACEA)
11.30
Coffee break
11.50
Exploration of various spaces for learning and conversation and practical
exercises with experts
iLearn: Exploration of the Forum’s methodology and personal learning
To support learning process of participants, to encourage them
naming key interests and formulating their objective for this event.
Facilitators: Ms Maryna Korzh and Ms Anahit Minassian.
Timeline: keystones of non-formal education development and youth
work
To contribute and get familiar with NFE and YW development in
countries of participants; To be aware of existing legal acts and
process on local, national and European levels.
Facilitators: Ms Rasa Janciauskaite and Ms Andrea Hollenstein.
Showcase current youth cooperation between EU and Eastern
partnership countries
Facilitators: Ms Gabriela Scibiorska, Education, Audiovisual and
Culture Executive Agency.
74
Go for inclusion, get quality bonus
To explore what it is quality and how it is linked with inclusion.
Facilitators: Ms Baiba Abolina, Ms Anna Yeghoyan and Mr Zilvinas
Mazeikis.
Tools and systems for competence assessment and recognition
To explore existing practices and tools for competence recognition
and get some inspirational ideas how one could start development
of tools or build entire system for competence recognition.
Facilitators: Mr Nerijus Kriauciunas and Mr Andriy Donets.
Visibility of Youth work and Non-formal learning
To explore existing practices and get some practical tips and hints
how to make non-formal education and youth work more visible for
the society and specific stakeholders of the field (social recognition).
Facilitators: Ms Alina Schneider and Ms Lala Rzayeva
Policy and strategy development favouring youth work and non-formal
education
To explore existing practices of youth policy development in the
region and get some inspirational ideas how to lobby or support
a) youth policy development process; b) non-formal education and
youth legislation; To present and review resolution on promoting
social inclusion through better recognition of non-formal education
and youth work.
Facilitators: Mr Marius Ulozas and Mr Eduard Mihalas.
13.00
Lunch break
14.30
Inputs on required competences and ways of learning in today’s and
tomorrow’s Europe
The aim is to look at the future of young people and explore what are
the demands and potential for Non-formal Education for Young people
in terms of foreseen changes and demands in social developments,
education, and employment.
Ms Justina Vitkauskaite-Bernard
Member of the European Parliament
Mr Vladas Lasas
Entrepreneur
Mr Simonas Gausas
Research manager
Mr Behrooz Motamed-Afshari
Freelance trainer and consultant in youth policy
15.30
Parallel sessions/working groups
Working group no. 1:
Making the results of non-formal learning in
youth work visible on local level
75
Facilitators: Ms Alina Schneider, Ms Lala Rzayeva, Mr Marius Ulozas
and Mr Eduard Mihalas
Working group no. 2: Go for inclusion, get quality bonus – practices
and challenges in ensuring inclusiveness and quality of non-formal
education in youth work
Facilitators: Ms Baiba Abolina, Ms Maryna Korzh, Mr Zilvinas
Mazeikis and Ms Anna Yeghoyan
Working group no. 3: Transferability of competences gained through
non-formal learning in youth work
Facilitators: Mr Nerijus Kriauciunas, Mr Andriy Donets, Mr Behrooz
Motamed-Afshari and Mr Giorgi Kakulia
18.30
Review of the 1st day journey in working groups
20.00
Leaving from hotel to the Dinner venue
Venue: Restaurant ‘1410’
76
24th October
9.30
Summary of the 1st day and introduction to the 2nd day of the Youth
Forum
9.50
Parallel sessions/working groups
Working group no. 4:
Evidence-based youth policy and strategies
development on local and regional levels
Facilitators: Mr Marius Ulozas and Mr Eduard Mihalas
Working group no. 5: Go for inclusion, get quality bonus - Strategies
for ensuring quality of non-formal education and youth work
provisions
Facilitators: Ms Baiba Abolina, Ms Maryna Korzh, Mr Zilvinas Mazeikis and Ms Anna Yeghoyan
Working group no. 6: Improving tools for recognition of non-formal
learning in youth work
Facilitators: Mr Nerijus Kriauciunas, Mr Andriy Donets, Mr Behrooz
Motamed-Afshari and Mr Giorgi Kakulia
18.30
Coffee break
20.00
Introduction to the new European programme for education, training,
youth and sport for 2014-2020. Reflection on potential of the new
European programme for the process of recognition
Mr Arnaud Dupont
European Commission (DG Education and Culture)
13.00
Lunch
14.30
Actions for Future: the space to develop actions for future cooperation
16.20
Review of key outcomes of the event
16.40
Coffee break
17.00
Overview of the EaP Youth Forum. Presentation of the Joint Conclusions
Mr Nik Paddison
17.20
Introductory statements and panel discussion on the Eastern Partnership
youth cooperation and recognition of non-formal education
The objective is to provide overview of key outcomes from the working
groups and share possible implications to the future processes of NFL
and YW recognition in Europe.
Mr Jan Truszczyński
Director-General DG Education and Culture
77
Mr Dainius Pavalkis
The minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania
Mr Peter Matjašič
President of the European Youth Forum
Mr Mikalai Kvantaliani
The Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum
18.20
Evaluation and closure of the event
20.00
Leaving from hotel to the Dinner venue
Venue: “Combo”
25th October
Departure of participants
78
The Eastern Partnership
Youth Forum
Joint Conclusions
22nd – 25th October 2013, Kaunas, Lithuania
79
80
Background and aims
The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum in Kaunas was organised
within the framework of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council
of the European Union and the Eastern Partnership Platform 4
“Contacts between people”. It was also a side event to the 3rd
Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius (28th – 29th November
2013).
The first event of its kind, the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum brought together approximately 200 participants, including young people, youth researchers, youth workers and youth
policy makers, from Youth in Action Programme countries22 and
Eastern European partner countries23 with the aim of launching
a regular cooperation format between the Eastern European
partner countries and the European Union. At this particular
meeting, cooperation focused on the following objectives:
Enhancing the recognition of youth work and non-formal
learning, especially in the context of social inclusion,
building on the synergies between international, national,
regional and local levels;
The Youth in Action Programme
Guide 2012 defines Programme
countries as: the EU Member
States, the countries of the
European Free Trade Association
(EFTA) and countries which are
candidates for accession to the
European Union.
22
The Eastern European partner
countries are: the Republic
of Armenia, the Republic of
Azerbaijan, the Republic of Belarus,
Georgia, the Republic of Moldova
and Ukraine.
23
Raising the quality and visibility of non-formal learning
and youth work at the local level and foster the exchange
of good practice in youth work between Eastern European
partner countries and Youth in Action Programme countries;
Highlighting current youth cooperation within the
framework of the Youth in Action Programme’s Eastern
Partnership Youth Window24 and exploring opportunities
offered by Erasmus+.
The Eastern Partnership Youth
Window aims to involve in 2012
and 2013 an additional 21,000
young people and youth workers
in joint activities between Eastern
Partnership and Youth in Action
Programme countries.
24
The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum’s thematic focus was
firmly based on the EU trio Presidencies’ (Ireland, Lithuania,
Greece) emphasis, in the youth field, on social inclusion.
The stated need in the Eastern Partnership countries to deal
especially with young people with fewer opportunities in rural
or deprived urban areas, and to raise awareness about the
nature of youth work, is very much in-line with this priority. With
regard to the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU,
the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum took into consideration
the following documents:
The “Europe 2020 Strategy for Smart, Sustainable and
Inclusive Growth” (2010), which calls for the development
of knowledge, skills and competences for achieving
economic growth and employment; the accompanying
flagship initiatives, “Youth on the Move” and “An Agenda
81
forNew Skills and Jobs” emphasise the need for more flexible learning pathways that can
improve entry into and progression in the labour market. They also highlight the need to
facilitate transitions between the phases of work and learning and promote the validation of
non-formal and informal learning;
The “Renewed Framework for European Cooperation in the Youth Field” 2010-2018, (2009/C
311/01), which aims, inter alia, at better recognition of skills acquired through non-formal
education of young people and strengthened cooperation with EU neighbouring countries,
and at preventing poverty and social exclusion among disadvantaged young people by
mobilising all actors involved in these issues such as youth workers, young people themselves
and policy makers;
The “Council Recommendation on the Validation of Non-Formal and Informal Learning”
(2012/C 398/01), which states that disadvantaged groups, including individuals who are
unemployed and those at risk of unemployment, are particularly likely to benefit from the
validation arrangements. Validation can increase their participation in lifelong learning and
their access to the labour market.
It also took into account the outcomes of the following events – which are also the base and
context of the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum:
The EU Youth Conference during the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of EU in 2013;
The Eastern Partnership Platform 4 youth event (Armenia, 2012);
The Conference “Eastern Dimension of Mobility” (Poland, 2011).
Other documents were integral to discussions such as the paper “Pathways 2.0 – Towards
Recognition of Non-Formal Learning/Education and of Youth Work in Europe”.
The Eastern Partnership is based on the understanding that Europe is founded on common
values and respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, rule of law and good
governance. Closer ties between EU and Eastern European partner countries and concrete
extended mobility activities, such as the ones funded through the Eastern Partnership Youth
Window, will benefit all the stakeholders involved.
The upcoming Eastern Partnership Summit in Vilnius will be an important milestone in enhancing
political association and economic integration in the European continent. Participants looked
forward to the outcomes of the Eastern Partnership Vilnius Summit and future developments
regarding the role of and possibilities for young people in the framework of the Eastern Partnership.
This also implies a continuation of the visa liberalisation process within the Eastern Partnership
regarding the mobility of young people and youth workers, which, once successfully implemented,
will facilitate youth contacts without barriers in the participating regions.
Participants in the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum highlighted the need for a continuation of
the format of an Eastern Partnership Youth Forum. They suggested the next meeting to be held
before the next Eastern Partnership Summit in 2015.
82
Organisation:
The following partners cooperated in organising the first meeting of the Eastern Partnership
Youth Forum:
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, the
European Commission, the Austrian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and United Kingdom National
Agencies of the Youth in Action Programme, the European Youth Forum, the EU-CoE youth partnership, and SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus and SALTO Training and Cooperation Resource
Centres. In addition, various stakeholders from Lithuania were involved such as the Lithuanian
Youth Council (LiJOT) and Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Social Security and
Labour.
Conclusions:
The conclusions of the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum are based on a common analysis of
youth cooperation between EU and Eastern Partnership countries, including youth policies and
especially the implementation of the Eastern Partnership Youth Window. They are focussed on
developments in the quality of youth work, opportunities for the development of political strategies, inclusion and recognition strategies and the further development of youth work within
Eastern Partnership and EU countries.
The participants of the Eastern Partnership Youth Forum came up with the following statements
with regard to a continued and reinforced cooperation between Eastern Partnership and Youth
in Action Programme countries. These conclusions are directed to different stakeholders, including youth policy makers and youth work structures, at appropriate level in Eastern Partnership
countries and EU Member States. They will be presented to the Eastern Partnership Platform 4
meeting and will be brought to the attention of the 3rd Eastern Partnership Summit.
Joint conclusions
Develop cross-sectorial strategies and cooperation
Non-formal and formal education
Youth workers, youth organisations and other non-formal education/learning stakeholders as well
as the formal education sector are invited to develop more links and sustainable partnerships in
order to provide appropriate skills and competences for young people. Experience has shown
that formal institutions and non-formal learning/education programmes can be and should be
complementary to one another. Initiatives to overcome existing barriers need to come from both
sides.
Youth work and labour market
Cross-sectorial cooperation between the youth work sector and the labour market, at policy and
project level, needs to be strengthened at national and transnational levels in order to enhance
the employability of young people. As a pre-condition, communication between the various
stakeholders needs to be increased.
83
Youth work and civil society
Closer links need to be established between youth work and other parts of civil society. Especially when it comes to inclusion, parents and families of young people need to be involved in
inclusive approaches. More shared initiatives on an intergenerational level should be considered.
Ensure transferability of experiences, skills and competences
Youth work, civil engagement and employability
Youth work and non-formal education/learning enable young people to gain and develop competences important to fostering young people’s civic engagement and employability. The Youth in
Action Programme has played an important role in the development of youth work in the Eastern
Partnership countries, even more so with the advent of the Eastern Partnership Youth Window.
Recognition tools should be improved to help learners better reflect, describe and (self-)assess
skills and competences developed in youth work and transfer them to other contexts: personal
and social life, civic participation, employment, and formal education. Tools should enable learners to record their progress on a long-term basis and collect various forms of learning evidence.
Long-term work with young people
Youth work requires long-term commitment and sustainable resources in order to consistently
empower young people. Under the Youth in Action Programme, the European Voluntary Service
is one of the best examples, though many other voluntary schemes and activities exist, that
support the development of young people. Long-term voluntary engagement has been shown
to support the development of young people’s soft skills which are very much in demand on the
labour market.
Occupational and educational path
The experiences gained through youth work help young people to identify future occupations and
their educational path. Acquiring more basic human and social capital as a pre-requisite to success in education and employability is often important for young people with fewer opportunities.
Youthpass is a tool that supports young people and youth workers in evaluating and assessing
the skills and competencies gained from non-formal education activities they have been involved
in. Information about Youthpass needs to be spread more widely by the beneficiaries and the
promoters. A higher level of promotion to higher education institutions and the business sector
is encouraged.
Foster recognition and innovation of youth work and non-formal
education/learning
Concept of youth work
In most Eastern Partnership countries, the notion of a youth worker is still rather vague and often
closely related to that of a social worker or teacher. The concept needs to be further clarified.
84
Professionalisation of youth work and quality criteria
The recognition of youth work and youth workers, and the professionalisation of youth work, all
need continued support, guidance and policy development, including through EU policies and
programmes for youth. Support and guidance should include areas of competence assessment,
training of youth workers and quality assurance. Indicators for the quality of youth work could be
a useful tool in this respect. In order to ensure the continuing effectiveness and development of
youth work, stakeholders need to ensure the results are measured and communicated to policy
makers.
Professional (advanced) training for youth workers and youth leaders is needed with a specific
focus on the use of mainstream and social media for promotion, dissemination and recognition
purposes, and in fundraising.
Innovation
Different approaches to youth work should be promoted along with continuous innovation and
evaluation. Creativity and innovation in methods and approaches must be encouraged in order to
keep meeting the fresh demands of each new generation of young people. Experience in areas
such as outreach and detached youth work should be shared by countries and organisations
involved.
Empower political strategies
Flexibility
Political strategies need to be responsive to young people’s needs and challenges and be sufficiently adapted to specific geographic areas, priority topics, target groups and available resources. Also, in several countries, more comprehensive youth policy strategies or legislation to support youth work would be welcome.
Access
There is a need to enable young people to better engage with and shape youth policy. Access to
relevant documents and facilities is needed in this respect. It is essential that youth organisations
as intermediary bodies be open and active in involving higher numbers and more diverse groups
of young people.
Mobility
As young people and youth workers are increasingly mobile across country and regional borders,
better coherence of cross-border youth activities and information needs to be ensured. The visa
regimes that exist in many countries are a huge block to the mobility of many young people, especially those who are more disadvantaged. Support for young people’s mobility needs to happen
at every level as well as continued negotiations on the abolishment of visa requirement for young
people especially from the Eastern Partnership countries.
85
Research
Stakeholders involved should aim at a further strengthening of evidence based youth policy making and research on youth. Evidence brought to the political level should not only be provided by
the researchers but also by other actors in the youth field with relevant experience.
Maximise the impact of youth work and non-formal education/learning
on the inclusion of young people
Need for training and recognition
There is a perceived lack of quality of education of youth workers in a number of countries. Further development of youth worker competencies are needed in order to reach out to and involve
minority groups in ways that other sectors cannot.
More specifically, youth workers need support and training in inclusion, diversity, participatory
approaches, citizenship, democratic processes and human rights education. They should be empowered to identify and react to the needs of young people and the communities they work in.
Training courses, competency recognition and qualification processes need to be developed and
implemented.
Quality inclusion youth work practices contribute to the recognition of youth work.
Focus on rural areas and infrastructure
To ensure a reduction in inequalities, youth work needs to particularly address the situation of
young people with fewer opportunities based in rural areas. As these young people often have
limited or no access to internet, priority should be given to setting up relevant infrastructure, for
example in centres and locations used by young people.
Inclusion youth work should have an all-encompassing approach toward communities where
such vulnerable groups are. Inclusion work must also advocate for inclusion through large-scale
public campaigns to combat intolerance and the polarisation of society.
Youth work in conflict/post-conflict areas
Many regions and countries have been or still are facing conflict. It is important for those who
work with young people in these areas to include peace and human rights education as part of
their inclusion work. In more general terms, as the day-to-day realities of young people are highly
diverse across Eastern Partnership countries, youth work needs to be sensitive to local and regional cultural realities.
Language
Dialogue between young people and decision makers, as well as policy documents, needs to
be in an accessible language and format for young people, it is also important for the youth sector to develop common and consistent terms in relation to work with young people, policy and
recognition.
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Strengthen the visibility of youth work and non-formal learning
and its impact
Cross-sectorial cooperation
Experience across countries involved in the Youth in Action Programme and the Eastern Partnership has shown that a cross-sectorial approach involving youth organisations, municipalities,
schools, and businesses, etc. is effective in making the work of the youth sector visible. This is
something that must be continued and further developed.
Continuing development of financial and human resources
Availability of funds
Financial and human resources are crucial to ensure non-formal education and youth work continue to adapt to a fast evolving environment.
Continued support to the Eastern Partnership Youth Window and Structures
Participants propose to develop strategies to ensure support for the youth sector especially with
regards to:
Facilitating access to the diverse financial opportunities that exist;
Better identification of human, policy and financial resources;
The adaptation of support systems according to country or region specific needs;
Continuation of region specific support e.g. via the SALTO Resource Centres, the Eastern
Partnership Youth Regional Unit, the Eastern Partnership Platform 4 Civil Society Forum and
the Eastern Partnership Youth Window;
The mapping of funding opportunities for the Eastern Partnership region: there is a need for
coordination between donors to better allocate resources, target needs, reduce competition
between applicants in the field and to prevent double funding of the same issues.
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The Eastern Partnership Youth Forum as well as this report was co-funded by the EU Programme
Youth in Action (Erasmus+ from 2014).
The content of this report does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union. Responsibility
for the information and views expressed in the report lies entirely with the authors.
SALTO-YOUTH
SALTO-YOUTH
RESOURCE CENTRE
RESOURCE CENTRE
Education and Culture
Education and Culture
EASTERN EUROPE AND CAUCASUS
TRAINING AND COOPERATION