Involving young people in caring for the environmental sustainability is really important to Europe’s view on education.

People of all ages should learn how to know more, do better, and care about living in a way that’s good for the Earth.

This includes using resources wisely, being healthy, and working together to make Europe greener and more sustainable.

Discover the actions and initiatives that Europe is taking to spread the importance of environmental education among young Europeans.

The aim of the intiatives

The European Commission aids EU Member States by:

• Providing learners and educators with the necessary knowledge and skills for a more sustainable society.
• Assisting education institutions in integrating sustainability into teaching, learning, and overall operations.
• Promoting a collective understanding of the significant changes required in education and training to support sustainability and the transition to a greener future.

What is the EU doing?

The European Commission is actively involved in developing initiatives to enhance education for a more sustainable future.

Among these initiatives is a proposal for a Council Recommendation on learning for environmental sustainability. The purpose is to encourage and support Member States in incorporating environmental education into their systems and promoting collaboration on this aspect across the European Union.

In conjunction with this Recommendation, the Commission is in the process of creating a European Sustainability Competence Framework.

This framework outlines the essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes that learners should have to address climate change and contribute to sustainable development. The overarching goal is to establish a shared understanding of these competences, ensuring that everyone agrees on what students at all educational levels should learn to promote eco-friendly practices.

The EU actions about environmental education

Among the initiatives promoted by the European Union there are the following:

1. Council Recommendation on learning for the green transition and sustainable development. With this initiative it is possible to actively involve students and staff, local authorities, youth organisations and the research and innovation community in learning for sustainability.
2. Learning for sustainability working group. The European Commission helps put the Recommendation into action through a special group that focuses on sustainability in education. This group has over 40 members, including people from education ministries, social partners, NGOs, and international organizations.
3. European competence framework on sustainability. This framework, available in all official EU languages, can be used in school and training programs, as well as in formal and informal learning environments.
4. Erasmus+ Teacher academies. Erasmus+ Teacher Academies is a key part of the current Erasmus+ program. Its aim is to form partnerships among European teacher education and training providers, enhancing the European and global aspects of teacher education in Europe.

Discover more about the initiative

If you want to know more about the various European initiatives for the environment visit the official website!

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How to Use AI in Education | The Guidelines

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L'articolo Education for Environmental Sustainability  | EU Actions proviene da Youth Networks.

In our modern world, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a regular part of our daily experiences. It’s very important to understand how AI influences different aspects of our lives, particularly in the education.

AI will be transforming education and training for students, teachers, and school staff.

It can play a significant role in reducing the number of students leaving school prematurely and can step in to assist with learning difficulties.

Teachers will also benefit greatly from AI integration, as it provides support through tailored or personalised learning tools.

AI has the potential to revolutionise education by fostering inclusivity and addressing unique learning requirements for students and educators alike.

For this reason it is extremely important to understand its operation, its impact and learn to use it in a correct way.

The Ethical Guidelines on the use of AI by the EU commission

The European Commission has put together guidelines with the aim of assisting teachers and educators in comprehending AI and data utilisation in education.

The goal is to not only provide insights into the positive impacts that AI and data can have in teaching and learning but also to raise awareness about potential risks associated with these technologies.

Essentially, these guidelines serve as a resource to empower educators with knowledge about the responsible and ethical use of AI and data in the educational setting.

The aim of the guidelines

The guidelines are like a helpful tool for every youth worker, especially those who are new to using AI. They use real examples to:

• Show how AI is used in schools
• Assist teachers and students in their teaching and learning
• Support the systems and processes in schools
• Talk about the ethical things to think about when using AI, which are the rules the guidelines are based on

For more information you can watch this video summary:

Discover more about the initiative

If you are interested in learning more about this topic and believe that this guide can be useful visit the official website of the European Comtmission to download it for free!

For more information on the program and how it took place visit the website of the initiative.

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Reinforced Youth Guarantee | Youth Employment and Education

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L'articolo How to Use AI in Education | The Guidelines proviene da Youth Networks.

Get to know the “Youth Guarantee”, a project to support young people in gaining work experience and developing the right skills for a changing world of work.

This initiative doesn’t have an end date and it will persist as the European Union’s primary policy framework for combating youth unemployment and inactivity.

After 2022, it will retain the substantial EU funds allocated in the 2021-2027 long-term budget and NextGenerationEU to further its mission of delivering improved outcomes for young people in Europe.

About the initiative

The Youth Guarantee represents an opportunity from every Member State to guarantee that all individuals under 30 are provided with a high-quality opportunity for:

• Employment
• Ongoing education
• Apprenticeships
• Traineeships

Within a timeframe of four months from the moment they become unemployed or conclude their education.

The initiative started during 2022, with the implementation of the reinforced Youth Guarantee.

Member States started implementing measures under their recovery and resilience plans targeting young people and youth employment related measures.

The goals of the initiative

The final goal of the project is to enhance the employability of the youth.

It aims to support individuals under 30 that want to access high-quality employment, continued education, apprenticeships, or traineeships.

In 2020, the Youth Guarantee underwent a strengthening process to better cater to the needs of young individuals.

This reinforced approach places a primary emphasis on preventing unemployment and inactivity while facilitating smoother transitions from school to work.

One of its central objectives is to support young people in acquiring valuable work experience and cultivating the necessary skills to thrive in an ever-evolving job landscape.

What has been achieved so far?

The project has already achieved excellent results, improving the difficult situation caused by the COVID pandemic which has made it difficult for many young Europeans to find employment.

Over 24 million young people who were once registered in Youth Guarantee schemes started a job, continued education and traineeships.

To learn more about the results obtained in recent years through the program we recommend you visit the official website of the initiative.

Discover more about the initiative

For more information about this initiative, its results and future objectives you can consult the official website.

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Capacity-Building in the field of Youth

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L'articolo Reinforced Youth Guarantee | Youth Employment and Education proviene da Youth Networks.

Are you a youth worker interested in deepening your knowledge about environmental education with young people?

Discover “Tribute to Earth“, a webinar series that aims to bring together youth workers from all over Europe to share the knowledge and methodologies of non-formal education about this topic.

The webinar

The association will transmit the webinar online and all the participants, at the end of July will receive the recordings of the sessions.

The project will be divided into three main moments, in three different days, from 19 to 21 July.

1. Webinar 1: “Awakening the wild”

Wednesday 19th July 2023, 3:30-5:00pm EEST

During the first day the participants will discuss to techniques to reconnect with nature and the methodologies with which young people can use it to strengthen their skills and improve their quality of life.

2. Webinar 2: ”Earth Poetry”

Thursday 20th July 2023, 3:30-5:00pm EEST

The second meeting will focus on techniques to promote and spread the importance of environmental protection among young people.

3. Webinar 3: “Gaia’s Dream”

Friday 21st July 2023, 3:30-5:00pm EEST

The third meeting will be the final day, during which participants can discuss what they learned during the webinar. This session will also focus on the concept of deep connection with nature and how this affects the daily life of each of us.

How to join

All those involved in youth work can participate. The webinar is free and to access it will be transmitted through “Zoom”.

To register for the meetings you must fill out the registration form on the official website, while for any doubt or request for information you can contact the association directly at the following email:

inspirationpathcyprus@gmail.com

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L'articolo “Tribute to Earth” | A Webinar about Young People and Environment proviene da Youth Networks.

The FundYOUth training course, taking place on 22-23 June 2023 in Belgrade, Serbia, aims to empower youth organisations by enhancing their ability to adapt and diversify their funding sources. In an ever-changing world, it has become crucial for youth work to be resilient and sustainable. This training course offers professionals in the field an opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical strategies for transforming resilience and sustainability into everyday reality within their organisations.

Is FundYOUth Training for You?

If you are involved in managing a youth NGO, working as a project coordinator, or responsible for areas such as fundraising, partnership building, project implementation, or strategic planning, FundYOUth is the perfect training course for you. It offers practical guidance and strategies tailored to your professional role, enabling you to enhance the resilience and growth of your organisation.

Objectives

The FundYOUth training course is designed to help you achieve the following objectives:

– Increase awareness about diverse funding opportunities;

– Strengthen understanding of own organisational capacity – where you are and what challenges and opportunities need to be tackled;

– Build strategic and tactical steps to ensure organisational resilience and growth – diversify funding, build partnerships and increase your reach and impact.

The FundYOUth training course is led by experienced youth trainers who have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young people and youth workers. Their expertise will guide you through the training, facilitating interactive activities and fostering meaningful discussions. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals, exchanging ideas and experiences in a supportive environment.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your organisation’s resilience and sustainability. Apply by 31 May 2023!

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L'articolo FundYOUth: Strengthening Youth Organisations through Training proviene da Youth Networks.

Are you looking for a unique learning experience that promotes non-formal education and provides an international and multicultural context? Join Connector 8.0, an international training course organised by the Romanian National Agency. The event will take place from 3-8 July 2023 in Romania, and aims to create a space and context where participants become familiar with different non-formal learning methods that can be used in various learning contexts.

Overview of the Training Course Connector 8.0

Connector 8.0 is open to practitioners from all educational sectors, including representatives from schools, higher education, adult education, and vocational training. Other enthusiasts interested in non-formal learning are also welcome to apply.

Reasons to apply are many, for example the following:

– Expand Your Skills: connector 8.0 is a chance to become familiar with non-formal learning methods that can be used in your projects or daily learning contexts. The event will offer 8 practical workshops that promote non-formal learning with an emphasis on inclusion & diversity, green, and digital transformation.

– Experience International and Multicultural Learning: participants will have the opportunity to experience learning in an international and multicultural context. Connect with practitioners from all educational sectors, including youth workers, adult education practitioners, trainers, learning facilitators, teachers, educators, and support staff.

– Learning by Doing: the key element of Connector 8.0 is learning by doing. Participants will have the opportunity to practice different non-formal learning methods, such as debate, nonviolent communication, photovoice, forum theater, improvisation theater, storytelling, graphic facilitation, and living library.

Conclusion 

Connector 8.0 focuses on creating a collaborative space for sharing methods, instruments, practices, and efficient ideas for learning. Participants will learn how to create a proper framework to gain competencies and abilities in 2023 – the European Year of Skills. The event aims to create connections between non-formal learning and formal education, as well as a learning space with a focus on European values.

Join Connector 8.0 and expand your skills through non-formal learning. The application deadline is 14 May 2023. Don’t miss out on this unique learning opportunity!

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L'articolo Connector 8.0: Non-Formal Learning for Professional Development proviene da Youth Networks.

SALTO EuroMed is working towards building the capacity of organisations in the South-Med region by offering various learning opportunities. The activities are as follows: 

• training courses;
• partnership building activities;
• on-spot visits;
• online courses;

These activities aim to provide organisations with the necessary tools and knowledge to enhance their programs and activities, making them more effective and impactful.

Now, let’s dig more into these activities!

Training Courses

SALTO EuroMed offers various training courses, including an Info Day about the European Solidarity Corps, short sessions about the program’s basic possibilities and functioning, and a training course for youth workers new in the European Solidarity Corps. These activities allow participants to learn more about the program and its offered possibilities, as well as its technicalities and practicalities. These courses are organised country by country, providing participants with a more focused and personalised learning experience. 

Here’s the 2023 calendar of the next Training Courses:

• Jordan: 21 – 24 May 2023, apply here by the 2nd of April
• Lebanon: 3 – 6 July 2023, apply here by the 7th of May
• Egypt: 15 – 19 September 2023, apply here by the 9th of July

On-Spot Visits

SALTO EuroMed conducts on-spot visits to monitor and support organisations. These visits aim to assess the organisation’s performance and provide recommendations for future projects. After the visit, the organisation receives a letter outlining the findings and recommendations.

Partnership Building Activities

Partnerships are a crucial feature of the European Solidarity Corps, and SALTO EuroMed acts as a bridge between organisations from the two shores of the Mediterranean Sea. In this regard, SALTO EuroMed organises or takes part in Contact Making Seminars or Partnership Building Activities regularly.

Online Self-Paced Courses on HOP

SALTO EuroMed is developing a series of online courses on HOP to support organisations in the region. These courses will be developed for both new and experienced organisations/youth workers.

Conclusion

SALTO EuroMed is committed to building the capacity of organisations in the South-Med region. By participating in its activities, organisations can improve their performance, increase their impact, and strengthen their partnerships.

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L'articolo Capacity Building for South-Med Organisations by SALTO EuroMed proviene da Youth Networks.

The BiTriMulti Training Course is a comprehensive program designed to support newcomers in setting up and running quality Youth Exchange projects. The course is aimed at voluntary and professional youth workers, leaders, and project managers who work directly with young people. In this article, we will discuss the Training Course, its objectives, program, and eligibility requirements.

BiTriMulti Training Course Objectives

This Training Course provides an introduction to the Erasmus+ Youth Programme and focuses on the Youth Exchange project type. Through workshops, info sessions, and simulation exercises, participants will learn how to involve young people in planning and running such projects. Moreover, the course offers an individual and group learning experience, based on non-formal learning practices, principles, and quality standards of EU youth programs. Participants will gain the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes to organise a Youth Exchange project and reflect on their learning using a Youthpass.

Program

The BiTriMulti Training Course is a three-day learning-by-doing experience that includes a simulation exercise, workshops, activities to improve group dynamics, and an evaluation. The Network of National Agencies for Erasmus+ is organising the course in Liechtenstein from 1-5 May 2023.

Conclusion

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TOSCA: Training and Support for Organisations in the European Solidarity Corps

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L'articolo Introduction to Youth Exchange Projects with BiTriMulti Training proviene da Youth Networks.

Are you a trainer in the youth field looking to improve your training programs? Join the online Youthpass workshop for trainers, which offer a unique opportunity to enhance your skills and competencies. The fourth and last workshop of the series will focus on “how to support writing self-assessment” and will take place on March 6th, 2023, on Zoom.

Now, let’s see closer what the workshop will be about!

Overview of the workshop

Erasmus+ Youth and the European Solidarity Corps use the Youthpass tool for recognition. It involves reflection and self-assessment of competencies. Despite that, its use in training can be improved. To address this issue, online Youthpass workshops have been developed for trainers. These workshops offer a breakdown of the Youthpass process, tools, and methods to implement it in training. Additionally, they provide inspiration and solutions to the challenges that trainers face. For more info on Youthpass, visit the official page.

Back to the workshop that will take place on March 6th, you will have the opportunity to be involved in several activities! Just to give an example:

• you will engage in reflections and discussions on the effectiveness of self-assessment and how to integrate it into your training programs; 
• You will have the chance to learn playful and hands-on tools and methods that you can apply to your own practice; 
• exchange ideas with other trainers; 
• receive tips and tricks on how to make the most of the learning journey in a training activity;

Trainers in the youth field can join the workshop regardless of their experience level, and will be held in English. To have more information, please visit the official website of the event. Moreover, the workshops will not be recorded, so don’t miss this unique opportunity to enhance your training programs. Join the workshop by registering here and get ready to improve your skills and competencies as a trainer. 

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TOSCA: Building Quality and Impact in European Solidarity Corps Volunteering Actions

Join the Online Panel on Digital Rights

L'articolo Join the Online Youthpass Workshop for Trainers proviene da Youth Networks.

The TOSCA initiative is a comprehensive program designed to provide organisation support and enhance the capacity of entities that actively participate in Volunteering Actions of the European Solidarity Corps. Its ultimate goal is to ensure high-quality and impactful outcomes for the projects undertaken by these organisations. By providing a wide range of capacity-building activities, such as training sessions, coaching, and mentoring, TOSCA empowers these organizations to effectively plan, implement, and evaluate their volunteer projects.

In this article, we will discuss the objectives and benefits of TOSCA and how it ensures quality and impact in respective projects.

Objectives and Benefits of TOSCA

TOSCA fosters a supportive community for European Solidarity Corps, building project design and implementation competencies while providing clarity and support.

TOSCA’s goals and benefits are as follows:

• Increase understanding, awareness, and dedication to the European Solidarity Corps’ fundamental quality requirements;
• Develop skills in the planning and implementation of European Solidarity Corps initiatives with a focus on quality;
• Provide formal clarity and support for the program’s opportunities, guidelines, structures, priorities, regulations, and processes;
• Enable people to voice critical issues and requirements and provide assistance when possible;
• Create a supporting community of European Solidarity Corps organisations;

For more information about the topic, you can watch this video explaining what kind of approach TOSCA has in defining quality in European Solidarity Corps Volunteering activities.

Conclusion

TOSCA plays a vital role in supporting and building capacities in organisations to ensure quality and impact in respective projects. The program fosters a supportive community of organizations involved in the European Solidarity Corps, building competencies in designing and implementing quality projects, and ensuring clarity and support. By achieving its objectives, TOSCA ensures that the activities of the European Solidarity Corps are based on core values of solidarity and contribute positively to society.

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L'articolo TOSCA: Building Quality and Impact in European Solidarity Corps Volunteering Actions proviene da Youth Networks.