SemiFit - Seminar for intercultural trainers in HRE -was a space for experienced and emerging youth educational practitioners from different fields to exchange competences and experience on the different domains of intercultural trainings with linking clearly to European Human Rights education and youth work issues. SemiFit in HRE should serve as an example of Peer and Lifelong Learning where educational practitioners have had the chance to share their competencies and experiences and learn new concepts from peers. In SemiFit, every participant was actively involved in the preparation and design of the learning space, content and flow. The project was linked to key European youth policy developments where non-formal educational youth work faces a need to better connect to but also bring in its expertise: the European Youth convention in 2020, the COE rec on Youth work, the European Training Strategy for YW, the development of a European Charta on Youth work, but also reference cooperations such as “Becoming a part of Europe”, “Youth for Human Rights” or digital youth work: all indicate youth issues in Europe become more political. Such there was seen a need to foster strategically the processes of capacity development of EDC/HRE work in the field of youth, as in the recent years barriers in a lot of European countries have become higher. Semifit was developed as a partnersahip for educational practitioners and their organisations to further develop their competences and network with each other. During 3 seminars a total of 85 youth workers, teachers, trainers, facilitators and coaches from 22 organizations active on youth work, human rights and democracy education from 14 different countries: Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy cooperated in seminars on: - Project Management under Erasmus+ in Almuñécar - Spain November / December 2018 - Citizenship Education in Berlin - Germany April/May 2019 and - Blended Learning in Trento - Italy October 2019 Specific objectives of SemiFit: Bringing together educational practitioners from different fields, Designing a space of co-creation and active participation, To develop and exchange competences and experiences on specific areas of training that have an emerging relevance in European Youth Work Co-Creation of tangible resources as a result of seminars’ activities aiming at a follow-up, where participants gad the chance to go further with what they have gained (methodology, tools and connections) in their local reality. The project tried to create an environment for educational practitioners to come together, take different roles and approaches and to be critical upon the methods that they use in their work, such provided a space for them to switch their roles to from educator to participants, expert to learner, contributor to documentalist etc.By gathering qualified people from different education fields - formal and non formal, youth and student organizations, social work and youth work and with different interests the Project facilitated feedback, space for innovative approaches and new opportunities, thus created an environment for learning and sharing. Such it also supporting the processes of European capacity development of youth work organisations and of educators active in the youth field.

Autism is a complex developmental disability that affects the lives of approximately 1% of the world population (CDC, 2014). It has been described as the fastest-growing developmental disability worldwide (CDC, 2008). The new estimate represents a 15 percent increase in prevalence nationally in the last two years: from 1 in 68 children to 1 in 59 children. (CDC, 2018). It is predicted to keep on increasing during the coming years.This need will be targeted by this project through the:1) Strengthening of competences of educators and youth workers in the knowledge, attitudes and better inclusion strategies for students/young people with autism2) Better accessibility to public and private spaces, through a Certification System enabling the application for 'Autism Friendly Spaces' and a nationwide awareness campaign3) Supporting young people with autism socially through a pilot youth hub, created specifically for themThe project will bring together 6 partners and will last 34 months. Prisms are the coordinator and the applicants. Other Maltese partners include Commission of Rights for Persons with disability and Aġenzija Żgħażagħ. Autism-Europe, Belgium; Learning Designers, Spain and MMSA, part of the University of Macedonia.The results include:1) The creation, design, and implementation of four online modules which will be free of charge, interactive, easily accessible and highly informative, the educators and youth workers will learn and strengthen their competencies in working in an inclusive environment. There will be a login system to record their progress during the modules. A certificate will be given to each educator who completes the modules. The modules will include the theoretical and practical aspect with regards to autism and how to include him/her in the classroom/youth group. To complement this, training of 5 days will be given to a group of 28 youth workers and educators; who will then disseminate the results in their workplace.2) The creation of a Certification System that enables private sectors and public entities to make their places 'Autism Friendly'. The places who are awarded the 'Autism Friendly Spaces' award, will be listed on a website and an app which will be created for this project. These will include the hours/time, in the cases of 'Autism Friendly Hours'. It will also include a visual map of the surroundings and where the nearest AFS place is situated. Each business/entity will appoint two 'Autism Ambassadors' whom a one-day training will be provided to them and they'll be the reference point to answer on matters about autism in that business/shop. The project includes 8 trials of places within different sectors.3) The piloting of a youth hub for young people with autismThere is a need for open spaces where youth with autism can hang out and socialize. This project aims to address this by opening a youth center which will be facilitated by youth workers and led by youth with autism. The youth workers will work towards supporting the social aspect of young people through the use of non-formal methodologies, and independence skills through outings. This youth hub aim aims to open in four countries: Malta, Spain, Belgium, and Macedonia.The desired and foreseen impact on a local level is the better inclusion of people with autism in the general local community. This will take place in schools, youth centers, and shops/services at a local level in Malta, Belgium, Spain, and Macedonia. The main target group who will directly benefit from this project are the cohort of young people with autism. However, this project will indirectly leave a positive impact on the inclusion of other cohorts such as children and adults who are on the autism spectrum, since the main results from this project can be beneficial to all ages, thanks to its sustainability and creation of a national scale awareness campaign. There will be a total of 240 young people with autism who will be a participant in the organized activities. The long term effect would be the inclusion of 140,000 people with autism and 532,000 family members in Andalusia, Spain; 186,000 people with autism and 706,000 family members in Belgium; 35,000 people with autism and 133,000 family members in Macedonia and 8,000 people with 32,000 family members in Malta. Secondary target groups include educators, youth workers, employers of businesses and public spaces who will work towards adjusting their space as 'Autism Friendly'. Their employees will be given an opportunity for further training; and lastly, family and caregivers of persons who are on the autism spectrumThe project partners have planned an efficacious dissemination plan which will take place at on a local, national and international level. A number of associated partners in each country are already committed to supporting this project. Communication and management procedures are set in place for the partners to follow; with a well thought of evaluation system.