‘NEST-Networking, Exchanging, Supporting and Training’ aims to create the structural conditions for a significant and sustainable improvement in the quality of individual and group ESC mobility projects, strengthening the ability of organisations to offer inclusive and safe mobility that guarantees a high quality of learning for volunteers, particularly those with fewer opportunities. An in-depth analysis has highlighted 4 groups of needs among ESC organisations: - Improve ESC management: develop more effective tools for the selection and support of volunteers, ensuring greater safety through more accurate selection and more structured accompaniment. - Strengthen the skills of the staff: transfer innovative methodologies to mentors and tutors, improving the selection and support of volunteers. - Increase recognition of the ESC work: create a dialogue with policy makers and stakeholders to enhance the role of organisations in the ESC programme. Develop a network with shared standards: build partnerships based on common practices, improving cooperation between organisations and ensuring greater consistency in project management. The project consists of 2 separate mobilities: a Network Building Activity (NBA) and a Training Course (TC). Objectives of the NBA: - to expand and strengthen the network of ESC Lead organisations, defining common quality standards for the careful selection and safe management of ESC mobilities - to launch an advocacy campaign through Position Papers, a Petition and an international Conference. - To strengthen and expand the connections between the Lead organisations involved; - Promote the exchange of good practices in selection, support for volunteers and practices to ensure safety during mobilities; - Develop and promote common guidelines and quality standards in the ESC sector based on the analysis of good practices that are adopted by TGN and the other partners involved in the project; - Promote active participation in the debate on how to improve the ESC Programme through: a. the activation of an advocacy process in which we will involve at least 100 ESC organisations to analyse the needs and difficulties of mobility management and quality; b. the creation of a Position Paper and a petition supported by at least 60 organisations (including partners); c. the organisation of an online international conference on the quality of the ESC programme, involving at least 8 policy makers and relevant stakeholders. TC objectives: - Transfer the guidelines and standards defined during the NBA to tutors and mentors; - Improve recruitment and selection of volunteers; - Improve the ability to support volunteers and manage conflicts and critical situations during mobilities; - Improve support for the learning process of volunteers, reinforcing mentorship skills and the use of tools for monitoring and recognising skills; - Produce a toolkit on the Circle of Security in ESC mobilities; - Define strategies to increase the visibility of the ESC programme at a local level with the direct involvement of volunteers; - Train 40 other operators from the consortium organisations, through internal training activities; - Increase the local visibility of the project and the Erasmus+ and ESC programmes, through the dissemination of results to 260 young people with local events, including the one held during the TC. The skills we expect to be developed during the NBA: - Networking and cooperation: expanding the network of contacts, creating new partnerships and developing advocacy strategies. - Intercultural skills: comparing working methods and cultures, experience in an international context. - Managing ESC volunteers: improving selection and support, defining quality standards for safety and empowerment. - Advocacy and communication: learning strategies to influence the ESC programme and involve relevant stakeholders. The skills we expect to be developed during the TC: - effectively promoting a vacancy, improving the quality of applications received - effectively managing selection and orientation interviews - active and empathetic listening for better support to volunteers - knowing how to involve volunteers in the dissemination activities of your project - organising local promotional events - sharing knowledge and skills learnt with colleagues and the rest of the organisation - analysing the impact of the project on your daily work and that of your organisation.