We set five objectives that guided the entire project: O1: Provide clear, individual development paths for young people in the field of youth work. O2: Create comprehensive educational curricula for NGO staff that enable smooth knowledge transfer and generational change within organizations. O3: Establish a clear evaluation system to support individual development. O4: Increase recognition of youth work among other stakeholders. O5: Build a growing community of professionals to ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes (Community of Practice). A curricula was created: it describes the methodology and gives details of all the program elements of the training courses delivered during the project. It is searchable and openly available. An assessment process with specific certification system got established: with Skills Builder universal framework participants self-assessed and received with mentoring facilitated assessment process during field work. With the data of the assessment process and qualitative method a research was conducted, the detailed report is now available. showing correlation between the the training courses and competence development. Community of Practice got established and it constantly grows.
The ProfessionalED project aimed to promote the long-term development of high-quality youth work by creating a standardized, accessible learning process applicable across generations and experience levels. We believe that professional development is strongly connected with personal development, so our curricula were designed with this holistic approach in mind. The project also sought to enhance the recognition of youth work by demonstrating the impact of non-formal education. To achieve this, we implemented a self-evaluation and facilitated assessment system, which led to a certification process. The data collected informed a concise research study that can be used to advocate for the value of youth work in higher education and other sectors. To prevent burnout and foster continuous inspiration, we established a growing Community of Practice for youth professionals to connect and support each other. All the results of the project are available: https://coda.io/@egyesek/professionaled/