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Shine your light

2020-1-LV02-KA105-0031002020Youth mobilityfinalized
Countries: LV|IT|ES|EL|PL|BE|HR|PT · Grant: €20,477
Health and wellbeingYouth (Participation, Youth Work, Youth Policy)New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Objectives

This project was implemented with a goal to provide youth leaders and youth workers with non-formal education tools and methods based on creativity to recognize and prevent potential or existent symptoms of burnout syndrome to be able to support young people who are facing emotional and psychological challenges. It is shown in researches and observed in practice that people, who are involved in youth work on a daily basis (youth workers, mentors, support persons, trainers etc.) are often facing burnout symptoms such as emotional and physical exhaution, reduced productivity both in professional and personal lives and other, that may lead to apathy, absenteeism and reduction in the quality of services and a disruption in interpersonal relations, as well as staff turnover. Moreover, it is not only youth field workers who are facing emotional difficulties in their lives. Studies show that young people in Baltic States regularly feel downhearted and depressed. Therefore youth field has a great opportunity to provide support, create conditions for learning, opportunity and experience that can enable young people to develop knowledge, skills and competences to integrate into society and take an active role in society, as youth policy anticipates. Although in order to be able to provide such support, people involved in youth work need to become self-aware, set professional boundaries, get necessary training to be prepared for possible difficulties and challenges, as well as develop strategy for consistency and sustainability in youth work to be able to provide better and higher quality support for young people. One of the most engaging, efficient and inspiring tools of work with young people is through art - theater, social circus, creative writing, body movement and other, that helps to gain better self-awareness, recognize one’s needs and wishes as well as apprehend one’s resources and strengths. Thus, this training course was created to enhance the capacity and sustainability of youth work in Latvia and Europe. The objectives of the project are: 1) To explore the challenges of youth work in different European countries and share possible solutions and stories of success with focus on psychological and emotional wellbeing; 2) To deepen the knowledge and understanding of causes and risk factors of burnout in youth work in order to be able to recognize and prevent the symptoms of burnout; 3) To provide participants with new artistic methods and tools to build a better resilience to stress and reframe the way they see their work with young people, to be able to provide a higher quality services for young people; 4) To strengthen a network of international partners to build a more sustainable and consistent partnership; 5) To create new national and international activities to apply gained knowledge and skills in daily work with young people, as well as to share new knowledge and experience with a wider audience - colleagues, partners, young people and other, involved in youth work. Therefore, “Shine your light” has directly worked on the aims of Erasmus+ program, such as increasing the capacity and competences of youth workers (2nd and 3rd objective - see above), to promote international cooperation in the youth field (1st and 4th objective) and in general increase the quality of youth work.

Project partners (8)