The trilateral project "Youth exchanges - theory & practice" aims at several very important elements concerning relations between the formal education system and non formal learning as well as the mobility of young people. The project offers the possibility of answering questions such as: gap between the competences acquired in the formal educational institutions and competences demanded on the labour market; complementarity of formal and nonformal education for the benefit of students. The project last 23 months and consists of three main activities: experimental youth exchange gathering the young people from vocational schools and putting the 'vocation' in the context of intercultural learning, followed by the research on educational needs of the young people in 21 century; training course for youth workers from CSOs and teachers working with the young people to gain knowledge on ways and methods and exchange best practices in connecting the formal and nonformal education, as well as promote its importance; second youth exchange as the improved practical model of quality youth exchanges combining nonformal and formal education. It offers direct opportunity to 84 young people and 24 youth workers and teachers to gain new experience and skills to make young people more competitive on the labour market by helping them gain transversal skills and to professionalize youth workers and teachers to help them achieve that. Estimated outreach of the project results are at least 40 other European organisations and 3500 young people.The project will be using nonformal methodology. Various forms of workshop styles (e.g. discussions, individual work, work in small trinational groups etc) will be used in order that each participant can find at least one style that best suits them. The project stresses the importance of experiential learning and experience sharing, so it is expected that participants both in the youth exchanges and especially, in the training course propose the working methods. In the long run, it is expected that that such models will be adopted by CSOs, formal educational institutions recognize the importance of partnerships with young organizations and that each vocational school from the local community develops in partnership with an youth organization international project that will put the ‘vocational learning’ in the context of intercultural learning. Appropriate dissemination channels will be used: website, social media, press conferences, organisation of Info-days and dialogue sessions with local stakeholders to obtain their support for continuation of such exchanges and thus ensure sustainability.
The idea of the project “Youth exchanges – theory & practice” is based on previous experience and gained experiences, skills and knowledge from youth exchanges of young people from three countries - Germany, France and Serbia. In particular, we have recognized the quality of youth exchanges in the field of youth activism, youth education, information and mobility. Youth activism is recognized as a form of social engagement of young people through solving problems in the community, especially in matters which are affecting young people. Youth activism is often identified as participation in various actions, protests, etc. In the framework of this project youth activism is recognized as the active participation of young people in their education.The trilateral project aims at several very important elements concerning relations between the formal education system and non formal learning as well as the mobility of young people. The project offers the possibility of answering questions such as: gap between the competences acquired in the formal educational institutions and competences demanded on the labour market; complementarity of formal and nonformal education for the benefit of students. The project lasted 23 months and consisted of three main activities: experimental youth exchange gathering the young people from vocational schools and putting the 'vocation' in the context of intercultural learning, followed by the research on educational needs of the young people in 21 century; training course for youth workers from CSOs and teachers working with the young people to gain knowledge on ways and methods and exchange best practices in connecting the formal and nonformal education, as well as promote its importance; second youth exchange as the improved practical model of quality youth exchanges combining nonformal and formal education. As we outlined in the introduction and according to the formal partnerships of the project, the target group of the project are representatives of formal and non-formal education. Specific aims are:1. Exchange of previous acquired knowledge, skills and experience of the participants in youth exchanges2. Acquiring new knowledge, skills and experience of the participants for youth exchanges3. Intercultural exchange participants in terms of exchange of culture, customs and traditions of the three nations4. Networking partners in the project and preparation of other possibilities for cooperationParticipants in a youth exchanges were young people who are undertaking vocational education. 81 young person directly took part in 2 mobility activities, improving particularly their competences such as communication in the mother tongue and foreign language, social and civic, sense of initiative and cultural awareness and expression. On training, we had CSO activists and educators/pedagogues and social workers from the formal education system getting trained how to organise a quality youth exchange on topics interesting to vocational youth.Networking of three educational system representatives from three countries provided exchange of information, experience and knowledge as well as quality support to young people in learning about the broader picture European identity. The project resulted in established, i.e. reinforced cooperation of different sectors: youth, formal education, city administration, non-governmental associations etc. The manual on youth exchanges is created, available in hard copy and open access online and the website. The vision the project that such models will be adopted by CSOs, formal educational institutions recognize the importance of partnerships with youth organizations and that the number of vocational school from the local community developing partnership with a youth organization in international project that will put the ‘vocational learning’ in the context of intercultural learning is becoming true because we have already had a follow up exchange.