CONTEXT AND AIM In light of the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for ever increasing innovation, impact and recognition of youth work, the ERASMUS+ KA2 strategic partnership project „RECALIBUR - ecotools in youth work for collective creativity“ aims to explore youth work's renewed role in fostering a shared sense of mutual belonging with the communities and the natural world by enhancing and strengthening resonating outer connection as forms of creative inspiration. This to increase young people's sense of belonging, wellbeing, resilience, and responsibility towards the biosphere as a whole, and identify in these restored interactions means, motivation, tools and positive outlook to accomplish their goals and those of their community, expressed via the creative arts. OBJECTIVES: 1) To explore ecopsychology principles and approaches to untap its applicability to youth work, and youth empowerment principle through connection and reconnection to the community and to the environment at large, via creative expressions 2) To investigate, curate, adapt and create non-formal education approaches and tools, enhancing the sets available to youth workers, trainers, facilitators, coaches and educators to also provide competence development and empowerment based on community and environmental engagement through the application and fostering of youth creativity. 3) To empirically demonstrate the relevance, and evidence, of this renewed approach to youth work identified via empirical demonstration and scientific research 4) To pilot and prototype both this new approach and the related tools in international youth work contexts, as well as in local youth work, as motivators for creativity and creative expression as well as storytelling via the arts and crafts, empowered through the application of the designed tools. 5) To match digital/online and residential/live learning in the promotion of this approach in order to foster youth creative expression in the form of a collective effort through community reconnection and environmental positive engagement. 6) To collect all the outputs, outcomes, deliverables and products of this joint exercise into an interactive online environment and embedded social media campaign in order to showcase the benefit of the approach and raise awareness towards the youth needs that arose from the Covid19 pandemic and our proposed solution. TARGET GROUPS We are targeting youth work practitioners, and via them ultimately young people, here with a focus on inclusion groups. FORSEEN OUTPUTS 1 Online environment, containing: - a research to demonstrate the scientific approach behind the proposed methodology and approach - an educational toolkit for youth work practitioners to foster creativity and creative expression through community engagement and reconnection with the non-human world - a collective gallery of curated resources, as well as collective storytelling EVENTS, MEETINGS AND ACTIONS 1 training to explore tools for community engagement 1 training to explore tools for nature and outdoors-focused tools 20 focus groups 10 local activities to put the tools in practice 1 Multiplier Event workshop of community creativity 1 Multiplier Event connected to nature-focused non-formal education workshops 5 international webinars 4 transnational partner meetings DISSEMINATION Reach of audiovisual material: 5000 Online interaction with toolkit: 1500 Engagement on social media: 5000 Traffic on website: 5000 PARTNERSHIP The project comprises of organisations from Austria, Denmark, Estonia, Italia, and Slovakia. IMPACT AND LONG-TERM EFFECTS We aim for the following long.term effects: *) Ecopsychology principles and approaches with focus on creativity explored, prototyped and proven in relation to applicability to youth work *) The new approach and methodology are promoted and disseminated *) Youth work is innovated and has more tools and approaches at disposition *) Role, impact and recognition of youth work and non-formal education has been strengthened *) Creativity, wellbeing and inclusion in young people as well as in communities has been strengthened *) Creativity, creative industries, community life and the ecological environment are appreciated more *) Quality of creative expressions enhances sense of belonging to community and the biosphere, enriching the local cultural heritage *) Civil society strengthened
The decision to focus on these objectives was driven by a strategic and thoughtful approach to address specific needs and challenges faced by young people and youth workers in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. WE HAVE REACHED OUR INITIALLY PROPOSED OBJECTIVES: 1) To explore ecopsychology principles and approaches to untap its applicability to youth work, and youth empowerment principle through connection and reconnection to the community and to the environment at large, via creative expressions 2) To investigate, curate, adapt and create non-formal education approaches and tools, enhancing the sets available to youth workers, trainers, facilitators, coaches and educators to also provide competence development and empowerment based on community and environmental engagement through the application and fostering of youth creativity. 3) To empirically demonstrate the relevance, and evidence, of this renewed approach to youth work identified via empirical demonstration and scientific research 4) To pilot and prototype both this new approach and the related tools in international youth work contexts, as well as in local youth work, as motivators for creativity and creative expression as well as storytelling via the arts and crafts, empowered through the application of the designed tools. 5) To match digital/online and residential/live learning in the promotion of this approach in order to foster youth creative expression in the form of a collective effort through community reconnection and environmental positive engagement. 6) To collect all the outputs, outcomes, deliverables and products of this joint exercise into an interactive online environment and embedded social media campaign in order to showcase the benefit of the approach and raise awareness towards the youth needs that arose from the Covid19 pandemic and our proposed solution. Exploring ecopsychology in youth work was chosen to foster holistic well-being through community and environmental connections. Enhancing non-formal education approaches aimed to empower youth workers in adapting to evolving engagement needs. Providing empirical evidence reflected a commitment to substantiate the effectiveness of the renewed approach with concrete data. The decision to pilot new approaches, integrate digital and residential learning, and showcase results through online platforms demonstrated a comprehensive and adaptive strategy to address diverse youth needs.
CONTEXT AND AIM In response to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing demand for innovation, impact, and recognition in youth work, the ERASMUS+ KA2 strategic partnership project "RECALIBUR - ecotools in youth work for collective creativity" explored the renewed role of youth work in fostering a shared sense of belonging with communities and the natural world. The project aimed to enhance and strengthen outer connections as sources of creative inspiration, with the goal of increasing young people's sense of belonging, well-being, resilience, and responsibility toward the biosphere. The project sought to identify, through these restored interactions, the means, motivation, tools, and positive outlook that would help young people achieve their goals and contribute to the well-being of their community, expressed through the creative arts. The emphasis on the creative arts within the project was a deliberate choice, acknowledging the expressive power of artistic endeavors in helping young people cope, communicate, and find inspiration. In essence, the project recognized that, in the aftermath of COVID-19, there was a crucial need for innovative methods to reestablish connections, boost well-being, and instill a sense of responsibility towards the broader biosphere among young individuals. RECALIBUR was not just a response to a crisis but a forward-looking initiative to empower both young people and youth workers with the tools and mindset necessary for a resilient and creative future. The project's innovation lay in its strategic response to the increased need for creativity, resilience, and a sense of belonging among young individuals. With the pandemic exacerbating feelings of isolation, the project focused on leveraging ecotools in youth work to foster collective creativity. By exploring and strengthening connections with both communities and the natural world, RECALIBUR sought to provide a fresh and impactful approach to youth work.