The main goal was to strengthen and develop the competences of adult education staff – educators, animators and leaders. It was assumed that their personal, social, creative, linguistic and learning competences would be improved. The project aimed to equip educators with various, practical methods of working with local communities, including in the context of working with groups of diverse nationalities, migrants and refugees. These methods included Neighbourhood Activity Zones, storytelling, SELcoaching and participatory art. By developing the competences of educators, the project was to have a positive impact on adult members of local communities, strengthening their civic competences and sense of initiative. The aim was to create more engaged, competent and active societies. Additional goals included transferring the acquired knowledge to other educators in institutions, social organisations and ensuring social inclusion through citizen participation. In the long term, we planned to include the methods learned in the organisation's permanent offer.
The "EmPowerUp" project was created out of motivation to build integrated, active and engaged local communities. The project responded to the needs resulting from the observation of phenomena such as anonymity and isolation in urban space, as well as challenges related to the influx of migrants and refugees, which require new, more inclusive methods of work. The main needs addressed by the project were: • The needs of adult education staff (educators, animators), who needed support, new methods and refreshed approaches. • The needs of adult members of local communities, who often demonstrate passivity and lack of civic engagement, and in the case of new residents, lack of identification with the place of residence. The project aimed to strengthen their civic competences and sense of initiative. • The needs of partner organizations, striving to develop the competences of their employees, exchange best practices and contribute to the implementation of the vision of lifelong learning and social inclusion. To meet these needs, the project focused on equipping educators with practical work methods, such as Neighbourhood Activity Zones, storytelling, SELcoaching and participatory art.