UEA planned to overcome the issue of skill mismatch among its staff members and teachers and to address the following needs: to empower the competences and skills of trainers, teachers and volunteers, particularly through the enrichment of their pool of skills, methods and tools; to foster the personal development of staff members and teachers, especially in terms of self-confidence and social inclusion; to enhance international cooperation in a cross-border and intergenerational perspective, thanks to networking with other like-minded organisations; to improve the quality of volunteering activities, especially in terms of intercultural awareness and competence.
UEA is an international umbrella organisation, with tens of national sections in different countries of the world, based in the Netherlands; it is at the same time an international organisation and a national organisation which needs to be strengthened, especially in terms of skill empowerment, internationalisation and networking. It promoted this project in order to strengthen the skills of its volunteers and members, with a particular focus on members interested leading international activities, but also engaging non-teaching members, more interested in organisational and management aspects, who can contribute to the development of the organisation and its sustainability.