Europe's future depends on its youth. However, due to crises in many European countries, young people in particular are struggling with unemployment and lack of prospects. At the same time, according to an online-survey of EURES guidance counsellors in 2013, there is an increasing demand concerning qualified vocational, educational and professional guidance counsellors with regard to the areas of aptitude procedures, the classification of certificates into categories and evaluation of placement opportunities in the field of incoming and outgoing. Our project focuses on a practice-oriented European guidance counselling concept (eGuidance Concept), tailored to the international circular mobility of young people, who emigrate from their home country abroad as well as those who remigrate back to their country of origin, bringing along specific skills and intercultural competences. This concept imparted the basic methods of international career counselling and the essentials of the specific area knowledge as to how the international mobility processes of young people can be guided. It is also tailored to the advanced training of European guidance counsellors to answer the demand already mentioned and thus provides a best-practice model for European guidance counselling. Regarding the increasing demand for qualified guidance, the concept provides a best-practice manual of both guidance methods and content. It has been developed by universities with degree programmes in career counselling in close collaboration with experienced European guidance counsellors. The concept has been published and made available through an interactive e-Learning internet portal including a virtual classroom and e-Counselling facility. The manual has been conceptualized as a self-learning modular training programme, which allowed European guidance counsellors to gather and adopt basic methods and the essentials of the area knowledge needed in the field of international guidance of young people. Simultaneously, this interactive self-learning programme has been a concept for the sustainable implementation of advanced training methods for European guidance counsellors through a virtual e-Teaching classroom and served as a training unit for virtual e-Counselling dialogues. The concept and its components served as an advanced training programme for academically qualified guidance counsellors within the framework of a post-secondary and tertiary qualification.The project focused on 3 main outputs: 1. European Guidance Counselling Concept: It contains 7 modules, divided into basic methods and essentials of the area knowledge of guidance counselling. They are put into a manual, which is available not only in form of an interactive E-Learning internet training programme but also in form of documents available on the internet portal. The counselling concept, developed by the Federal Employment agency in 2010 and the handbooks of the projects BD-BG and Distance Counselling were used as a basis, which have been adapted to the specific needs of European guidance counsellors in the partner countries.2. Interactive E-Learning Internet Portal: The open source portal is primarily focused on the interactive process of counselling interviews containing basic guidance methods and the essentials of the specific area knowledge of the international mobility processes of young people, offering a practical training how to guide them up to exemplary dialogue sequences. The essentials of the area knowledge deal with different areas of international youth mobility.3. Advanced training through e-Teaching and e-Counselling: The European guidance concept has been the basis for advanced training measures for European guidance counsellors. These measures have been implemented in form of virtual e-Teaching trainings, which have been set up as an internet-based, modular application, allowing the training concept to be implemented in an open source virtual room. These trainings enabled guidance counsellors to conduct web-conferences and online meetings and carry out the advanced training methods of the European guidance concept. Furthermore the virtual classroom was used as a platform for virtual e-Counselling dialogues between counsellors and consultants.All three achievements have been made available in several languages, for mobile devices as well as for mobile applications. The first milestone was a draft of the eGuidance Concept. The second milestone was the open source interactive e-Learning internet portal. The third milestone was the implementation into advanced training methods through the use of an open source virtual e-Teaching classroom and the implementation of virtual e-Counselling dialogues. Some aspects of the previous EU-funded projects so far (e.g. EMAT, NICE, MEVOC, BD-BG, Distance Counselling and BeKo) have been integrated into our project and served as fundamental tools to be built on.

<< Objectives >>The aim of Silver Grow is to provide the complex model of services for senior workers in order to support their potential on the labour market. It foresees the promotion of lifelong guidance and counseling dedicated to senior workers.The project will improve knowledge and competences of career counsellors, employers and employees related to new counseling methods based on the constructivist approach. Partners will create the „fast pathˮ for senior workers and disseminate widely all results.<< Implementation >>Forum group will contain: 5 on-line regular meetings with experts, conducting in-depth interviews with employers and employees, elaboration of report with interactive parts/tools. Creation of the „fast pathˮ for senior adults in enterprises will include: comparative analyses of tools supporting active ageing in enterprises, practical exercices, scenarios, diagnosis of the situation of senior workers, an interactive course, local workshops – testing, on-line downloadable manual.<< Results >>Project results: 5 panels with experts in each partner country, 50 in-depth interviews with employers and employees, one report with interactive parts/tools, the set of tools developed during the creation of a comprehensive training and advisory path (rapid response path) for senior employees, 50 employees from selected companies will increase their efficiency socio-professional, 25 trainers will acquire competences in the frame of the operation of the comprehensive approach.

The project ‘Ways to enhance active aging through volunteering – WEActiveVol” responded to the current needs to undertake active actions in relation to the challenges of an ageing society. It was about keeping people over 50 in activity and using their potential in the area of social and civic activities. Volunteering is a great example of how to effectively use and strengthen the potential of people in their mature age. In addition, volunteering is recognized as an example of non-formal learning activity, which develops skills and key competences (communication, social and civil competences, sense of initiative and entrepreneurship, learning to learn). Unfortunately, due to the insufficient promotion of volunteering and lack of habit on community involvement among seniors, volunteering in this group still remains an under-utilized form of activity.Therefore, the main aim of the WEActiveVol project was to strengthen volunteering among the over 50 people. The other goals were are aimed at: 1)getting familiar with some basic law regulations and statistic data on volunteering in the partner countries; 2)exploring the methods of work with the Over 50s volunteers; 3)learning about obstacles that may limit volunteering among the Over 50s; 4)gaining information about attitude of entities organizing voluntary work towards the Over 50s volunteers; 4)promoting volunteering in partner countries through promoting events, leaflet and brochure of good practices.The partner group of the project was composed of 6 organizations from the following countries: Poland, France, Lithuania, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania (mainly non-governmental organizations and public entity). During the eighteen – month long cooperation, the staff of the partner organizations was exploring the theme of volunteering by sharing ideas, knowledge, experience and good practices. This group consisted of educators/trainers/coaches active in the adult education sector, volunteer coordinators, project managers, practitioners working in the field of volunteering and active ageing, advisors, decision-makers from the participating organizations. Partnership at European level enabled to share good practices around Europe, and to get familiar with new ideas and approaches on how to empower volunteering amongst the over 50 people.The project activities were concerned with: preparing the official project website www.weactivevol.eu; publishing the information leaflet; participating in the transnational project meetings; developing two questionnaires and carrying out two survey polls in partner countries; organizing events aimed at promoting volunteering and active citizenship; developing and disseminating the brochure containing the descriptions of good practices in the field of the Over 50s volunteering. Thanks to the project the following results were developed: project website, meeting minutes, ppt, thematic workshops for the meeting participants, leaflet, questionnaire for the assessment of predisposition to perform volunteering, two different questionnaires for opinion polls, set of recommendations about the scope of a comprehensive training course in the field of volunteering, dissemination activities aimed at promoting volunteering and active citizenship, final report, brochure with good practice examples. The project impact on the participating staff was concerned with, among others, acquiring knowledge and competences that enable to increase the participation of people in their mature age in volunteering (especially in the field of recruitment and training); learning about new solutions on how to improve the 50+ competences; exchanging ideas and good practices in the field of volunteering of people from this age range. On the other hand, the impact of the project on the participating organizations was primarily related to increasing their visibility at the local level and to strengthening the position of active actors supporting development of volunteering. The project enabled to establish and to strengthen the local partnerships, as each partner organization cooperated with different relevant stakeholders in own country (groups of local experts). The project impact on organizations also referred to the exchange of good practices among the involved partners, the gaining of knowledge about approaches and solutions used by other organizations to find out the best ways to mobilize seniors.In the long-term perspective, the project will contribute to the interest of mature adults in volunteering. In this way, the possibility of strengthening and using their potential in frame of the social and civic activity will be ensured. And also, the promotion of active aging and development of skills and competences will be provided. The indicated elements are part of the catalog of activities that are to solve the problem of the ageing of society through creating a framework for active participation of people over 50 in society.

"The principal goal of the project entitled „Stop being couch potatoes! Developing social and entrepreneurial skills for NEETs” was to create international cooperation to develop intellectual outputs and earn practical experiences during pilot studies. Our aim was to work on adequate learning methods, in partner countries, how to develop social and entrepreneurial skills for adults named NEETs. The project duration: 01-10-2018 - 30-06.2021 (project end date was extended considering COVID – 19).Target group are young adults – people aged between 18 and 35 who are not employed, not engaged in housework, not enrolled in school or work-related training, and not seeking work. NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training. Neet is heterogeneous group: the conventionally unemployed, the unable (for different reasons to be active in work or in education e.g. disabled), the disengaged (group not willing to undertake any activity), the opportunity-seekers, voluntary NEETs (making a gap year). Project partnership group is as the following:Coordinator: Transfer Slovensko (privat educational institution) – Slovakia Partners: Voivodeship Labour Office in Katowice – Poland, Foundation Work from Bed (marketing agency) – Poland, Eurocircle Association (NGO) – FranceThe Gender Information Centre NORA, o.p.s. (NGO) – Czech Republic, University Foundation San Antonio (private university) – Spain, Young Initiative Association (NGO) – Romania. The project was carried out transnationally in order to share practical experiences and find out the best solutions in learning methods in the field of social and entrepreneurial skills dedicated to NEETs.Summary of project intellectual outputs:01.A1. Comparative analyses; 01.A2. Creation of network of mediators; 01.A3. Practical experiences. With regard to 01.A1. Comparative analyses and research −Research carried out from January to March 2019r. −6 questionnaires in each partner country: Czech Republic, Frane, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Spain −Total number: 36 tests with NEETs Thanks to the research we found out:- how to reach Neets: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Thematic websites, Labour Office, Cafes or pubs. - 80% respondents NEET had the professional experience(duration form 1 months– 2 years);- Chances on the labour market: 50% respondents negatively assessed chances on the labour market;- 26 (72,2%) respondents evaluated, that their relatives had a significant impact on them (parents, siblings) – they could help to choose the professional path and monitor their progress. Relating to 01.A2. Creation of network of mediatorsPartners selected 18 local mediators from 6 countries. Partners made the list with names of local leaders in sport, culture, that could influence inactive young people on their own ground and encourage them to act.As to 01.A3. Practical experiencesPartners selected 18 good practices in the field of social and entrepreneurial competences in their countries, e.g.: from Czech Republic – Competence Kaleidoscope, from France – Debate and Convince, from Poland – Peasant Business School, from Romania – European Parliamentarian for a Day, from Slovakia – Support for young job applicants, from Spain – Civil Pilot of RPAS – DRONES.All reports from the realisation of the mentioned above work package are available on the website: https://wupkatowice.praca.gov.pl/-/9357081-wstan-z-kanapy-02.A1. On-line collaborative platform The main objective of this work package was to facilitate the modernization and improvement of teaching methods and enable the communication through social media. It is Innovative IT tool where NEETs and trainers learn and teach content of courses;All project results are disseminated thanks to the following channels: −On-line project platform: https://areyouacouchpotato.com−Youtube channel−Fanpage ""Motivation from The Couch"", który jest umieszczony na Facebook ""Motivation from The Couch"":https://www.facebook.com/MotivationFromTheCouch −Films:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYC75zP2sLkvWztubadM7lg/videos−Partner project webistes: e.g. VLO in Katowice, Poland : http://wupkatowice.praca.gov.pl/-/9357081-wstan-z-kanapy- −Multiplier events - on-line conference in Poland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wlL6SY8U5M03.A1. Scenarios for local workshops (one scenarios in the field of social and one scenarios in the field of entrepreneurial skills); 03.A2 train the trainers; 03.A3. Local workshops Partners elaborated 12 scenarios (each partner prepared 2 scenarios): 6 in the field of social, 6 in the field of entrepreneurial competences). On the basis of scenarios partners organized worshops for Neets and trainers in their countries.Scenarios were the most creative part of work in the project. All scenarions are available on the project platform: https://areyouacouchpotato.com/workshops/04. Toolkit for trainers and NEETs (04.A1. Practical handbook for teachers, 04.A2. Practical manual for students) The handbook for trainers and practical manual for NEETs is available on the project website. Material based on elaborated scenarios in the output 03; comprises methodical instructions of communication and how to build relationsthip with young people.05. CV video Professional CV video with representative form Neets, was prepared in national languages by each partner country.06. The movie the „success story” Partners selected one person from local mediators in order to make a movie „success story”.07. Webinars All webinars are available on the project website and may constitute the introduction or supplement to the lessons/workshops. The realization of all results was discussed during partner meetings: −Kick – off meeting in Katowice, 25 - 28 November 2018−Partner meeting in Bratislava (Slovakia), 13 - 16 March 2019−Partner meeting in Marseille (France), 05 – 08 November 2019−Partner meeting in Bucharest (Romania), 23 – 26 June 2019−Partner meeting in Brno (Czech Republic) , 10 – 11 March 2020−Partner meeting in Murcia (Spain), 25 June 2021Partners from Spain, Romania, and Poland realized Multiplier events. Poland and Spain in virtual form (covid19), partner from Rumania realized 3 events as a direct events with participants."

"In connection with the progressing process of the aging of the EU society, initiatives are taken to activate professionally as well as socially adults and seniors. In a special situation on the labor market there are women whose statistical life expectancy is longer than men*, but the length of professional life is lower**. Many women whose children are grown up and become independent would like to start a professional career that will give them a sense of meaning. Unfortunately, returning to the labor market for many of them is a challenge because they often feel that their skills have become obsolete and they have nothing to offer to a potential employer.According to Eurostat data (access from 27/06/2018) regarding the employment rate in EU28 in 2017 – there is 58,9% professionally active women aged 50-64, while men, in the same age group - 71.1%.Project entitled ""Universal model of professional course for new age child carers dedicated for women aged 50-64 years"" responded to the need for professional activation of unemployed women and inactive people over 50, so that they could transform unique skills and knowledge related to bringing children into a professional career. In addition, access to the services of professionally trained child carers would also allow young parents to return to the labor market more quickly.The aim of the project was to exchange best practices and ideas for developing a universal model of a professional vocational course for future child carers, with particular emphasis on the training needs of women aged 50-64.As part of the consortium, the recommendations on personality characteristics and skills necessary for a child carer were developed, a self-assessment test was prepared as the first element to check the predispositions for working with children, tools and methods for verifying candidates for the profession were presented and a training program consisting of nine modules was prepared concerning different areas of knowledge related to childcare.Six partners from the following countries were involved in the project implementation: Poland, Ireland, Italy, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. In order to best take into account the needs of women aged 50+ and the requirements of parents looking for a suitable child carer, among the institutions creating the course were Non-profit organizations (M'am'amloca, ProActivate Ireland) involved in activating older people and caring for their well-being, regional institutions dealing problems of the labor market (Voivodship Labor Office in Katowice and Government Office In Bekes County) and institutions leading and creating trainings (COOS and Bimec).Project activities were related to the implementation of international partner meetings (5 meetings during the project) and the development of project results:- creation of a project website containing the most important information about the project, project meetings and partnership results and its ongoing update; - carrying out two surveys concerning the personality traits of a guardian for children and the most important issues of the course conducted among parents and women aged 50+; - design and publication of a leaflet informing about the project;- preparation of a self-assessment test to test predispositions in the profession of a child carer;- evaluation of the test by professionals dealing with child care;- preparation of a model (program of a vocational course) containing 9 thematic modules, comprehensively preparing for the role of a child carer;- evaluation of the course by institutions involved in the creation of courses, professional activation and conducting training to confirm the high quality of the program and its minor modifications based on the analysis of suggestions received by the partners;- preparation and publication of a handbook showing the results of the project.The results will bring long-term benefits, especially for people interested in taking up a job as a child carer. The self-assessment test is one of the tools to assess the predisposition to work with children, based on test results, unemployed people or those wishing to change their career path may decide to take action to achieve this goal.The professional course model prepared by the partner group is comprehensive and flexible. It allows training institutions to choose all or the most important, from the point of view of the target group, modules and subjects in order to prepare professionally trained child carers. *Based on data from the Eurostat database, access from 27/06/2018, the difference in life expectancy of women and men in Ireland is 4.1 years, while in Poland it is 7.5 years.** Statistically, men in EU28 work 38.1 years and women 33.1 years."