Economic instability and competitiveness on labour markets make the focus on skills and competences of young people crucial to their holistic development and employability. In times when right-wing populism is on the rise, youth and voluntary work is key to changing mindsets and reminding people that solidarity is the answer to our problems, not division; to promoting common European values, fostering social integration and intercultural understanding. The project thus aims to strengthen and assess the impacts of intercultural learning in terms of skills and competences young people gain during their voluntary service.Aims1) To professionalise IVS organisations and trainers to reach their goals in fostering intercultural learning, solidarity and the values of human rights, and setting up an international pool of ICL trainers.2) To boost skills and competences of young people and their ability to participate actively in society, and to enhance social cohesion, solidarity and inclusion within local communities across 4 world regions. 3) To test the impacts of the intercultural learning process on volunteers’ skills and competences, and to examine the needs and strengths of IVS organisations in volunteer management, training and support.Activities-Taskforce Preparation Meeting-International Training for Trainers in ICL and qualitative research-EVS for 13 volunteers-ICL trainings for EVS volunteers & other local and international volunteers in 12 countries: Austria, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, UK, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya and Nigeria-Impact study testing volunteers’ skills and competences in the 12 countries-Taskforce Final Evaluation MeetingTangible outcomes1) Professionalization of trainers in ICL and creation of a pool of trainers2) Organisations proficient in research, volunteer management, training and support 3) Greater understanding of strengths and weaknesses of each partner organisation and each region, and strengthened regional and international cooperation4) Products: a) An Activity Report of the Training for Trainers; b) New Practical Guide for ICL Trainings and new and adapted methods and theoretical input; c) Impact Study Report and new research methodology to assess skills and competencesImpact on stakeholders-Professional trainers with enhanced ICL and research skills and competences-Improved quality and practices of IVS organisations in volunteer management, training and support, serving the sustainable development of organisations and local communities-Strengthened cooperation among IVS organisations and local NGOs, and greater recognition of volunteering and work at grassroots level-Enhanced skills and competences and holistic development of young people and volunteers, improving employability options and ability to actively participate in society

The main aim of YouACT has been to develop a visibility strategy to promote the value of volunteering and stimulate youth participation worldwide. This requires a communication strategy that is goal-driven, on-going, cost effective, well-timed and with clear targets. YouACT's partners were be able to modernize and internationalize their public relations and external communication systems, and likewise enhance skillsets of youth workers (i.e. staff, mentors, volunteers...). The wider the promotion, the greater the recognition of youth voluntary work and non-formal learning, the higher the numbers of youth stimulated to active participation, and the larger the impact on youth policies and systems in EU and partner countries. Aims: I. Visibility: Create global visibility by promoting volunteering in 21 countries on 4 continents and reaching large numbers of youth, incl. young people with fewer opportunities, to inspire them to active citizenship, and to forge new partnerships for youth and voluntary work.II. Building Capacity: Develop a tailor-made visibility strategy and enhance the non-formal education and communication skillset of youth workers.Activities: 1. Visibility Kick Off, Berlin, Germany 2. Calling Youth to Action: Multipliers’ Training for a Global Visibility Drive, Accra, Ghana3. Calling Youth to Action in promotion campaigns in 20 countries: Austria, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, UK, Poland, Slovakia, Switzerland, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Mozambique, India, Nepal and Vietnam4. Visibility Evaluation, Paris, FranceTangible Results: a) Global network of communication multipliers from 10 European, 4 Latin American, 4 African, and 3 Asian countries developed a visibility strategy and implemented it together with volunteers, youth, host projects...b) An international visibility training for 25 communication-multipliersc) Campaigns raising awareness of volunteering in 20 countries involving diverse stakeholders and reaching youth, NGOs and the wider publicd) A visibility strategy and visibility guide for ongoing, long-term, sustainable and result-oriented promotion and disseminatione) Strengthened existing partnerships, new collaborations with NGOs, local authorities/ministries, host projects, other youth/volunteering organisationsf) Active participation of increased number of youth in volunteering and civil society Impact on youth, volunteers, civil society, volunteering NGOs and local communities:a) Greater visibility, recognition and validation of volunteering and non-formal learning worldwideb) Long-term increase in global youth engagement in local communities in 20 countries c) Cultural exchange at local and international levels will fosters cultural diversity, equality and solidarity d) Strengthened partnerships and new collaborations and partnershipse) Fostering of youth entrepreneurship, employability, leadership building, creativity and responsibility through hands-on campaigning.