Youth Creative Management

Commencing from August 5, 2018, to December 31, 2019, our project ‘Youth Creative Management’ aims to empower young individuals, particularly those classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training). Our vision is to guide these individuals through an EVS (European Voluntary Service) experience in Bulgaria, enhancing their skill sets and nurturing their inclusion within their respective communities. The project seeks to address prevalent issues such as high youth unemployment rates, lack of opportunities for skill development, and self-confidence issues among the youth.

We believe that being young and proactive entails not just seeking personal growth, but also contributing positively to society. Through this project, we aim to foster a supportive environment for NEET youth, enabling them to develop a wide range of competencies during their EVS tenure. These individuals, originating from Turkey, Greece, and Finland, bring diverse backgrounds that add invaluable richness to our intercultural dialogue and learning sessions during the project.

Our objectives are centered on enhancing the volunteers’ key competencies, particularly in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) within youth work and non-formal learning. By engaging them in office assistance and educational programs for children and youth, we aim to promote active participation and instill healthy behaviors among them. Additionally, our project endeavors to raise awareness regarding the challenges faced by independent youth and cultural sectors in Greece, Finland, and Turkey, while also developing volunteers’ management and workshop implementation skills.

Ultimately, ‘Youth Creative Management’ aspires to create a positive impact by nurturing intercultural learning, fostering relationships with local NGOs, and enhancing technical skills through engaging volunteers in IT-related tasks, thereby contributing to a more empowered and inclusive youth community.

How did you choose your project partners? What experiences and competences will they bring to the project? Please also describe how the project meets the needs and objectives of your partners.

For this project, we’ve selected three partners from different Program countries, each with extensive experience in EVS projects as hosting, receiving, and coordinating organizations. Their robust background in the EVS program, coupled with their rich knowledge and skills, promises substantial contributions across all project stages. Building on established relationships fostered through various platforms like Facebook, Skype, emails, and youth portals, these partner organizations are also members of the ENYC network, aligning closely with our objectives.

We’ve delineated clear roles among partner institutions, dividing responsibilities as per the Program Guide and contractual activities. Over the upcoming months, the relationship between sending and host organizations will strengthen further. Our aim is to facilitate efficient project execution and provide EVS learning opportunities for targeted organizations sending volunteers.

Conducting meetings will ensure a comprehensive understanding of the project and its execution, clarifying the project’s venue, content, and media. Collaboratively identifying our volunteers will bolster the application process’s quality and contribute to establishing new partnerships among participating EVS organizations, an important aspect we’re targeting with this project submission.

Regarding topics addressed by our project, we’re focusing on Creativity and Culture, EU Citizenship and Awareness, Democracy, and Enterprise, including SMEs and entrepreneurship. We plan to involve associated partners by outlining their profiles and roles, ensuring their involvement contributes significantly to achieving the project’s aims.

Please describe the profile, background and needs of the volunteers involved and how they have been or will be selected.

We would like to host both females and males volunteers motivated to be involved and to learn about
Project Management, gender issue, youth policy and fundraising, how to running a successful
business in practice and etc. We will help the volunteers to: make a change in his/her future; learn
more about national and cultural differences and similarities; discover a host country, culture, history
and language; widen their knowledge, outlook and improve their skills; meet new people and build
new contacts; learn something about himself/herself. A basic level of English would be preferred but
not necessarily for the hosted volunteers. Volunteers with experience in other international projects or
education in project management will be preferred as they will share his theoretical and language
skill with the less experienced volunteers.
Volunteer profile:
• Motivated to work in the subject of the project
• Responsible to themselves and to the others
• Indipendant
• Spirit of initiative
• Communication skills
• Social skills

Which learning outcomes (i.e. knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviours) are to be acquired/improved by participants in each planned activity of your project?

In this project, volunteers will:

• Enhance digital competences by engaging in office tasks, multimedia work, project preparation for youth, and learning social policy responsibility.
• Develop language skills by actively promoting intercultural learning and Erasmus+ activities at public events.
• Improve communication, presentation, teamwork, and leadership skills by actively participating in project management, media promotion, and social network dissemination.
• Cultivate social and civic competences by collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds, fostering effective interpersonal communication, and overcoming prejudices.
• Expand cultural awareness by immersing themselves in the local Bulgarian community, engaging in intercultural learning and reflecting on diverse traditions and behaviors.

Regarding European instruments, we aim to utilize Youthpass certificates as a means to validate the volunteers’ acquired skills and knowledge during their EVS experience. Participants will learn about, fill, and have their Youthpass validated, offering recognition for their non-formal and informal learning experiences.

How will the practical and logistic matters of each planned activity be addressed (e.g. travel, accommodation, insurance, safety and protection of volunteers, visa, social security, mentoring and support, preparatory meetings with partners etc.)?

Our volunteers in Primosko, Bulgaria, will have a safe and comfortable home, ensuring their well-being. A rented apartment near the office with essential amenities like 24-hour water, Wi-Fi, and monthly pocket money will be provided. We’ll help them adapt to local living necessities and engage them in our NGO’s programs, ensuring their involvement brings positive changes to targeted groups.

Regular monitoring and monthly meetings will support their collaboration with our team and enrich their experience. Health insurance and mentorship will be provided, addressing any challenges they encounter. Travel arrangements will be assisted by the project coordinator, and safety measures, including emergency contacts and risk prevention, will be thoroughly communicated.

To facilitate adaptation, volunteers will have an orientation, language support, and access to city resources. We emphasize crisis management, utilizing our team’s experience in resolving and preventing crises while providing continuous support to ensure a fulfilling volunteering experience.