In the project, we wanted to emphasise the importance of non-formal/extracurricular education in personal and professional development and in preparing young people for adulthood. Our aim was to enable young people to develop their passions and interests, which is crucial in the process of discovering their own identity and building a professional future in line with their passions. We wanted to give young people the space to express their needs and aspirations in the context of a changing world. The project aimed to raise young people's awareness of the benefits of developing passions, especially in the context of developing the key competences necessary for success. We planned:: Organising an international meeting for 30 young people, where they could present their passions and learn how developing them can support them in their adult life. The young people received tools to support the development of key and soft competences. Training for leaders and youth workers to teach them how to support young people to develop their passions and key competences and build awareness of their development. Training based on lessons learned by young people. Local activities to promote the development of passions, talents and interests, planned
Youth Cultural Centre No. 2 (MDK2) is a place where young people can develop their passions through non-formal education. We decided to implement the project because of the decrease in interest in various forms of passion development among young people over the age of 12, which has been observed for years. After interviewing the participants and their parents, we found out that the main reasons for this trend are a decline in parental involvement and a strong emphasis on formal education and school success. The lack of motivation of young people to develop their passions is often due to a lack of parental authority in this area and a lack of awareness of the benefits of having a hobby. The pandemic from 2020 onwards has further affected young people, requiring us to adapt our actions to the new reality. We realised that young people were looking for new ways to develop and connect with their peers in a changing society. The project responded to these needs by promoting the development of key competences and active attitudes that are essential in adulthood. Education, which includes not only formal aspects but also the development of passions, as Ken Robinson points out, is crucial for the all-round development of young people.