"Young people all around Europe are facing the challenge of transition from education to employment. This is correlated by statistical facts that confirm that in 2015, 8.7 million young people aged 15-29 were unemployed and 13.7 million were not in employment, education or training (NEETs) (http://ec.europa.eu/europe2020). A potential answer to this problem is represented by the youth work that can positively shape the integration of young people on the labour market who can facilitate an active participation of youths and empower them to achieve their full potential. In order for the youth workers to have an impact on the results and the learning opportunities of young people they must be empowered themselves first. The problem addressed by the present training course was related to the fact that the youth workers from the 10 partner organizations had limited capacity in their work with young people who contribute to their employability and the number of activities organized by the youth workers in the communities of our partners on the topic of employability did not always respond to their needs. This represented the main motivation that has prompted us to organize the training course called ""Get Empowered!Get Employed!"", through which youth workers have become familiar with non-formal methods and tools designed to increase the quality of their work in the process of integrating young people into the labor market in their communities. The main theme of our TC was Youth Unemployment and how can be tackled through integrative, participative and non-formal methods.The course took place between 9-17.12.2017 in Baile Tusnad, Romania. 30 youth workers, volunteers from partner organizations from Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Slovakia worked together for 8 days to discover the meaning and impact of non-formal methods and techniques in work in the youth field, developing its skills in the way it is applied in the context of the increase of youth unemployment.Objectives achieved:O1. The project contributed to increase the level of knowledge, skills and positive attitudes of the 30 youth workers in applying non-formal methods to facilitate access for young people in general and young people with fewer opportunities especially on the labor market;O2. The capacity of the 10 partner NGOs to organize events, activities and workshops for young people to increase their chances of accessing the labor market has increased;O3. We have contributed to increasing the number of digital resources for youth workers with regard to non-formal learning methods by creating a guide with non-formal methods to encourage young people's access to the labor market. The project included 30 participants coming from 10 partner countries, 2 experienced trainers and 2 facilitators. Each partner selected as participants 3 youth workers over 18 years old with no maximum age limit requirement motivated to increase their competences in the field of youth work. The training course consisted of 5 phases: P1- Group formation, mutual knowledge, addressing safety and protection measures; P2 - theoretical backgrounds on non-formal methodology and techniques in the European context of youth work and familiarization with non-formal methods, P3 - applying the set of tools developed in previous days to support students in the community, P4 - developing participants' knowledge about E + and increasing the number of partnerships through future collaborations, P5 - creating a guide and disseminating the results.Methodology: In order to accomplish the activities, we used participatory non-formal learning methods, such as: animating participants, games, learning by doing, reflection sessions, individual learning, active participation in group activities, simulations, outdoor activities. Result and Impact:This project has led to the development of partners NGO members' and volunteers as they have learned to apply and use non-formal learning methods to address the issue of youth unemployment. By creating and distributing project materials (guide with non-formal methods) to other NGOs, young people, trainers, volunteers and online, we have contributed to raising interest in non-formal methods and tools in the European context of youth work.The participants facilitated activities and workshops for young people in Europe in order to increase their skills to higher their chances in accessing the labor market, thus contributing to one of the four strategic objectives of the Education and Training 2020 (ET 2010) program: ""Increasing employment work and increasing creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship ""(http://ec.europa.eu/)."

"In the short-term EVS project are involved 20 volunteers from seven countries ( Macedonia, Latvia , Spain, Italy , Slovakia and Turkey) for a period of one month. During the project the volunteers will live and work in Sandanski town, Bulgaria which is the venue of the Balkan Youth Festival ' The Balkan Youth "" - the largest youth event in South East Europe, which annually is carried out mainly by young people. which annually is carried out mainly by young people.With the implementation of the short-term EVS project ""The Power of Youth Motivation!"" we set for our main goal to be creating conditions for developing the potential of young people and increasing their motivation for successful realization.By participating in educational mobility program ""Erasmus +"" by EVS, young Europeans have the unique opportunity to develop their potential by taking part in practical activities for the preparation, implementation and promotion of the 21st edition of the Balkan Youth Festival (BYF). Furthermore, the project allows them to organize a campaign to promote youth activism and volunteering and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the European Voluntary Service, by organizing a youth eco happening to promote the benefits of separate collection of waste renewable. This is a chance for the young Europeans to participate in activities for social change and active citizenship by promoting messages about environmental protection, healthy lifestyle, the benefits of youth participation in public life and leadership.During their voluntary service youth will work in international multicultural teams: ""Organizing team"", ""Technical and creative team"" and team ""Promotion and advertising"". All of this will help the EVS volunteers to enrich and develop their organizational skills and entrepreneurship; improving communication and language skills; obtaining better intercultural competence, through familiarity with foreign cultures, building relationships and friendships with young people from Bulgaria and Europe; technical, creative and computer knowledge and skills through the design and construction of stage settings and promotional materials; ability to work with the media, through direct interaction and by using online media, and also to improve their creativity and responsibility, tolerance and solidarity.On the one hand active participation in the process of planning, preparation and implementation of voluntary activities (campaigns, shows, concerts, exhibitions, competitions, happenings, seminars, workshops, etc.), combined with the methods of non-formal education and sharing of experience will help disclosure the potential of the young people. On the other hand the results of different stages in the project implementation and their reflexion will contribute to the strengthen of their self-esteem and confidence in their own capabilities, which will increase the motivation for the development and realization of young volunteers.To summarize how we will achieve the main goal of the project, we set specific objectives that are aimed at: improving the practical knowledge, skills and attitudes, and creativity of young volunteers; social inclusion and active participation of the young people in public life; building leadership qualities and a sense of European citizenship, solidarity and tolerance; awareness and respect for different cultures and traditions as are the objectives of the ‘Erasmus +’ Program"

"""ZOOM IN for your job ,ZOOM OUT for your business "" is a youth exchange between 20-30 may 2018 to be held in Busteni,Romania with 43 participants from 8 countries :Bulgaria,Spain,Italy,Latvia,Greece,Czech Republic,Macedonia and Romania and includes 18 youngsters with fewer opportunities. The actual context is one when the youth unemplyment is growing,youngsters don't have enough competences to acces the labour market or initiate a private business The aim of exchange is increase employability of european youngsters of 18-25 years old by developing key competences neede to access labour market Objectives are: 1.offer to 43 participants from 8 european countries a common space to understand and promote cultural diversity and european cooperation 2.a better awareness by youngster s of 18-25 years old of the key competences and youthpass certificate and their role in accessing labour market 3.enrich promotion methods to access labour marketby developing through nonformal education of creative tools to elaborate job folder and prepare job interviews 4.stimulate entrepreneurship spirit of youngsters of 18-25 years old and increase capacity to prepare a private initiative and elaborate a business plan Forseen activities are for preparation,introduction and getting to know eachother,trust and team building,presentation of participants and organizations,introduction of Erasmus + programme and youthpass certificate,cultural visits in Busteni and Prahova Valley region,intercultural evenings and evenings thematic or at youngsters disposal.There will be 4 thematic workshops for presentations of reasearches and increase key competences and job folder making,4 business workshop to create 8 business plans,5 video creation workshops to prepare 16 promotion videoclips. Besides there will be transversal activities for visibility,management and monitorizing. The methodology will be based on nonformal education and will consist in games ,presentations,theater,role plays and simulations ,video creation,workshops,visits Results of the project will be 8 business plans gathered in a brochure, 16 videoclips from video workshop,a facebook page and a final DVD.The disemination will be done by all participants through internet and social networks,informations in associations and also by partners in mass media,partnership,on line posting Impact of the project will be felt at the level of participants by develop of new competences,by a better understanding of cultural diversity and better competences to access labour market.At partners and local communities level the impact will be felt by presence of youngsters better trained and by getting new methodologic tools and new practices to create a job folder or a business plan Sustainabilty of project and partnership will be provided by communication between partners ,by a dissemination and exploitation planned by writing new applications together in frame of Erasmus +."

"<< Objectives >>According to the European Environment Agency, air pollution is Europe's single largest environmental health risk, leading to approximately 400,000 premature deaths each year. In 2020, the European Commission unveiled the European Green Deal, which is a roadmap for making the EU's economy more sustainable and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. European Environment Agency stated that approximately 60% of European rivers, lakes, and estuaries are in poor ecological condition due to pollution, over-abstraction of water, and habitat destruction.Considering these facts, we conclude that it's crucial to take action and volunteer to protect the environment. However, finding the time to volunteer can be difficult, especially for young people. That's why the Youth Exchange 'Volunteer for Mother Earth!' focuses on inspiring young Europeans to get involved in volunteer initiatives for environmental causes they care about.Our project aims to highlight the significant positive impact that volunteering can have on personal and professional development, as well as on the environment and society as a whole. We will explore various volunteer opportunities, with a special emphasis on the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), which provides young people with opportunities to volunteer or work on projects in their own country or abroad that benefit the environment and communities around Europe.We believe that volunteering can be a powerful tool to give life new meaning and direction, regardless of age or background. To ensure inclusivity, we will actively seek out young people with fewer opportunities, such as those from ethnic minorities, low-income households, remote or rural areas, and those who are unemployed or dependent on social welfare.Thus, the objectives of the project are as follows:• To inspire and encourage young people to participate in volunteer activities within their communities and beyond.• To foster the exchange of voluntary experiences among youth from different European countries.• To raise awareness about the societal benefits of volunteering and active citizenship.• To increase awareness about the impact of climate change and its effects on the environment.• To empower young individuals to identify causes they are passionate about and to promote their active involvement.• To promote the development of various critical skills, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, planning, and organization, through volunteering.• To endorse the Erasmus+ Programme, the European Solidarity Corps, and non-formal education opportunities.• To enhance respect for cultural diversity and to improve participants' intercultural competencies.Join us in our mission to make a positive impact on the environment through volunteering and be part of a brighter future for us all.<< Implementation >>The main activity of the project will be the Youth Exchange 'Volunteer for Mother Earth!'.It is a project that aims to bring together a diverse group of young people from six different countries: •N. Macedonia (ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTEERISM VOLONTERSKI CENTAR SKOPJE), •Bulgaria (ASSOCIATION ""MOGA ZNAM TVORIA""), •Serbia (CIVIL ASSOCIATION RURAL DEVELOPMENT), •Greece (Media Terra Nea), •Turkey (Youth Eco Club ""Çınar""), •Germany (Dasein). A team of six group leaders, one from each country group, will provide support and guidance to the 48 young participants, including 30 with fewer opportunities. There will be plus 2 facilitators which will be responsible to implement all of the activities according to the program.Participants profile: •Motivated to take part in a youth exchange and are interested in the topic of the project;•Motivated to implement the experience gained in the YE in their communities;•Motivated to build and support international partnerships that will be created during the YE for future Erasmus+ projects;•Young people age 18 to 26 who are interested in the topics of the project: volunteering, environment, active involvement, green policies;•young people interested to dive deeper into the world of the Erasmus +, and will be motivated to develop new project ideas, especially new YEs with the support of group leaders;•People who are willing to learn more about other cultures by people from different countries;•People who will be dedicated during the activities, willing to take active participation and be part in creating the final project resultsGroup Leaders profile:•youth workers, leaders with experiences in international youth field, with non- formal education based methodology;•with previous experiences in the field of youth engagement, project management, Erasmus + Programme, KA 1 - youth exchanges;•being able to support the participants during all project phases: organizing and conducting the preparatory meetings, implementing a communication strategy and supporting all participants in the preparation phase, communicating with the group leaders from other countries and making sure to align on the project tasks, supporting participants during their trip to Struga as well as during their stay. The group leaders will be in charge to encourage and support participants to take active participation during YE, especially to support their learning process. They'll be in charge to set and conduct reflection andorganization meetings, supporting development follow-up activities in the form of peer-to-peer meeting etc.•There is no age limit set for group leaders.In order to achieve our goals, we will employ a variety of non-formal educational methods:•including interactive presentations, •Creative workshops, open discussions, simulations, and outdoor activities. •Learning by doing methods.•These sessions will provide the participants with concrete ideas that can be implementedin their local communities, thus ensuring an important multiplier effect.•Workshops will leave room for discussions and debates.•Simulation games will allow us to identify current challenges of non-formal education andshow possible measures that strengthen them.Through these activities, participants will have the opportunity to develop competencies in various areas, including intercultural communication, public speaking, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, planning, organization, and time management. To ensure that the participants are making progress toward these competencies, we will conduct daily evaluations and reflections on the learning outcomes. At the end of the fourth day, a mid-term evaluation will also take place. This feedback will be discussed by the group leaders each day to plan and adjust the activities for the following day. In addition to the educational aspect, we will also hold intercultural evenings, where participants can present their cultures and countries in a creative way, promoting cultural diversity and enhancing intercultural competencies.Overall, the 'Volunteer for Mother Earth!' project aims to empower young people to become active citizens and environmental volunteers while fostering intercultural understanding and personal development.<< Results >>This environmental volunteering project aims to empower young people across Europe to engage in volunteer initiatives and give their time to environmental causes they care about. The project will showcase the tremendous positive impact volunteering can have on personal and professional development, as well as for the environment and society at large. Through this Youth Exchange, we expect the participants to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enhance their critical thinking abilities and develop better decision-making, active listening, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills. The main result will be visible just after the YE, the participants will be more skilled, award with a lot of competences gained. We also anticipate a positive shift in their attitudes, with increased awareness of the social significance of volunteering for the environment, green practices and active citizenship. The project will focus on exploring different environmental volunteer opportunities, through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), which provides young people with opportunities to volunteer or work on projects that benefit the environment and communities around Europe. We hope that after participating in this project, the young people will show greater interest in the ESC initiative and become involved in environmental projects in their home countries and abroad, such as volunteering activities, traineeships, jobs, and solidarity projects. As part of the project's outcomes, the participants will collaborate in the creation of different concrete results:•Digital booklet that provides information about different environmental volunteer opportunities both in their countries and abroad, including the ESC. •Video testimonials sharing participants’ experiences and impressions of this Youth Exchange and the results they achieved, to inform and inspire other young people to engage in environmental volunteering initiatives. •Main Video of the project•Web Blog including all of the materials from the sessions and project in one placeUltimately, we aim to inspire and equip young people to become active environmental citizens and contribute to creating a brighter and more sustainable future for all."

EVS project “Let’s Do It Volunteer 2” involves 7 hosting activities – 4 in Estonia and 3 in abroad (Italy, Portugal, and Macedonia). The project included 7 volunteers from 4 different sending organizations going to different 7 hosting organisations with 6 countries (Estonia, France, United Kingdom, Macedonia, Portugal, and Italy) involved. There were 7 hosting organizations and 4 sending organizations and 1 coordinator organisation involved in the project. All the activities were long term ones. Duration of the activities were 6 months in Italy, 12 months in Portugal and Macedonia, and 8, 9, 11 and 12 months in Estonia. Two main themes of this EVS project were environmental and climate change, international cooperation, and youth. The aim of the EVS project was to enable the volunteers to develop themselves by giving them international experience and to support the collaboration between the sending, hosting and coordinating organisation of this European Voluntary Service project. It created a working environment where the partners developed new actions and the volunteers’ gained new knowledge, skills, and attitudes. During the project, there took place different activities with different target groups implemented: working with global partners and youth; working in NGO with international youth projects, developing activities in the local community, etc. Throughout the project, different non-formal education methods were used. All background learnings in the past years of cooperation among most of those organisations were implemented and developed.