STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Lithuania, Latvia, Belarussia, Ireland 05.2019-05.2021 GOAL OF THE PROJECTS - to create an innovative and comprehensive methodology, by combining the best experiences of each partner in the area of professional orientation, which could be used by youth workers within the context of the implementation of professional orientation (career counseling) in various forms of youth work (open youth work, mobility work, work in the streets, and the development of practical skills). The methodology will be presented both in a paper version (as well as an online version), and its information will be used to create digital training playlists available for youth workers in a virtual space, by employing the City of Learning platform as well as the Open Badges system. This will attract larger numbers of youth workers to use this platform independently of their living location, because the learning process will be occurring in a virtual space. These learning playlists will be curated by Lentvaris open youth center and Badgecraft Ireland Limited. The methodology combines group work for youth workers, individual guidance and consulting, as well the empowerment of youths through the realization of their individual initiatives and employment, by organizing internships in the dominant areas of interest. Besides the creation of the methodology, there will an inter-sectoral field study conducted throughout the duration of the project - international meetings (one international youth conference is foreseen for the topic of professional orientation of youths and the most innovative and best practices in this field), with the goal to improve the professional orientation of youths ages 14-29 and to expand the network of these type of services, while empowering youth workers to exercise good-quality and well-rounded career counseling in their work with youths. RESULTS: -We will inform and train 150 youth workers how to work with this methodology, who are in one way or another confronting the need for consulting youths in terms of professional matters- in Lithuania, Latvia, and Belarussia. -We will integrate and try out the first training playlists in a virtual space for youth workers, which will be adapted and adjusted according to each organizations' needs by taking into account the content of the methodology. -Throughout the duration of the project, each one of the three partner countries will attract a minimum of 10 decision makers, in the public and private sectors, with whom there will be a dialogue developed about the improvement of the professional consultation system for youths. -20 youths from each partner state (Lithuania, Latvia, Belarussia) will have the opportunity to receive individual guidance through individual work described in the methodology, and an additional 100 unique visitors (youths) will participate in the group work sessions.
The results, which were being sought: -- To inform and train 150 youthworkers, who in some way or form come into contact with the need for consulting young people in professional matters in three nations - Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus - how to work with the methodology. -- For youth workers to integrate or try out the first learning playlists in a virtual space, and to apply them according to the needs of each organization, taking into account the content of the methodology; -- Throught the duration of the project, to attract atleast 10 policy makers, representatives of the public or private sector, from each of the three partner nations, with which a dialogue could be developed on the topic of the improvement of the youth professional consultation system; -- To provide an opportunity for 20 young people in each partner nation (Lithuania, Latvia, Belarus) to receive individual mentorship through individual work, described in the methodology, and to involve an additional 100 young people from each nation in work groups.
The goal of the project was to combine the best experiences of the partners in the field of professional orientation, in order to create an innovative and in-depth methodology, which could be openly used by youth workers during professional orientation (career consulting) within the context of variuos forms of youth work (open youth work, mobile youth work, youth work in the streets, development of practical skills). The methodology was developed in a paper (as well as electronic) form, and likewise the information contained within was intended to be used in order to create digital learning playlists for youth workers in virtual spaces, by employing the City of Learning platform and the Open Badges system. The methodology combines within itself youth worker group work, individual mentorship and consulting, as well as the empowerment of youths through the implementation of their individual initiatives, through employment, or by organizing internships in their field of interest. The respective partners took on this project and its aspirations because they mutually agreed that amongst themselves they have gathered a large baggage of experiences, which they are ready to pass on for further and wider use. The goal of the activities was to improve the professional orientation of youths aged 14-29 years old, and to expand the web of similar services, thereby empowering youth workers to carry out diverse and quality-based career consulting in their youth work.