By the implementation of this project we wanted to explore ways to improve the current TADA methodology. We saw a clear leverage effect: coaching a few dozen facilitators can have an immediate exponential impact on TADA programs. These programs reach more than 700 teenagers from disadvantaged neighborhoods in Brussels every year (internal studies show that these students progress faster than their peers in terms of self-confidence, future prospects, social connections, willingness to learn, drive and motivation). Improvements in facilitator training and optimization of the subjects they teach will be directly felt by the children, as facilitators will be better able to provide content at their level and create formats that encourage participation. With the implementation of this project TADA also wanted to explore how can greater internationalization of TADA help TADA’s trainers and target groups. We wanted to explore whether internationalization might increase the quality of our work, bring new possibilities for youth included in our programmes, and support TADA’s mission.
TADA (toekomstatelierdelavenir) & STEP Institute collaborated on this application to empower children with fewer opportunities in Belgium & Slovenia. Children from socio-economically vulnerable backgrounds face challenges, making them more likely to drop out of school. Our collaboration aims to exchange knowledge and learn from each other. STEP & TADA have also responded to this application by trying to find solutions to the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. TADA needed innovative learning methods and pedagogical ideas from outside the organization to strengthen and sustain its model of serving 260 new youth per school year. That's where this collaboration makes sense: STEP, with its experience in progressive education methodologies for disadvantaged children in Slovenia, aims to empower educators with innovative methods and offer evidence-based courses. Responding to Covid-19 and supporting teachers is one of their greatest challenges. Our collaboration includes co-creating workshops, starting with ICT workshops (which is crucial these days). STEP specializes in combining digital & analog methods for youth engagement and provides pedagogical methods for TADA employees to help young people acquire necessary ICT skills.