ESC-2-Learn Kick off meeting

Currently, e-learning has evolved to become an ideal tool for effectively disseminating knowledge and promoting universally and socially constructed understanding. E-learning provides equal opportunities for young volunteers to develop their skills throughout their ESC-2-Learn project. It is also the means to involve them in an accessible process of continuous learning to optimise their role in the host community and find a career path. In addition, e-learning can be an effective and sustainable educational tool supporting volunteer tutors and supervisors. In this way, e-learning can be an effective and economical complementary means of providing volunteers with appropriate training and support.

The kick off meeting was held in person from 16 to 17 July 2021 in Strasbourg (France). This meeting was attended by two representatives from each partner organisation, with a total of six representatives present. However, Solidarity Tracks and ATA were represented by only one person at this meeting, due to the current situation related to Covid-19 and the travel difficulties for some partners. The partners were welcomed by the AMSED representatives and the topics to be discussed at the kick-off meeting were recalled. In order to get to know each other better, the partners presented their organisation and activities related to the theme of the ESC-2-ELEARN project, as well as the presentation of a KA1 project – Training of youth workers – “E-learning for EVS” which took place in 2018, in partnership with AMSED, Solidarity Tracks and ATA. This strategic partnership is the continuation of this KA1 project. Indeed, this project between AMSED and its partners Solidarity Tracks and ATA was presented in the following way: a training in three stages: in Greece (March 2018), in France (June 2018) and in Romania (November 2018). During which an e-platform was created, bringing together 20 online training sessions aimed at developing the 8 key skills of young people, in order to become an e-mentor. Thus, the benefits and educational value of the E-Learning project developed the skills of the young participants and optimised the results and impact of their activities in order to help them prepare for working life by developing their entrepreneurial attitudes. The aim of the project was that these e-mentors could subsequently help, guide and advise future volunteers of the European Solidarity Corps.

This strategic project enabled the platform’s content and services to be adapted and structured, learning methods to be modernised and simplified and networking for young volunteers to be facilitated. Access to dynamic online training will also be facilitated by involving experienced partners in volunteering actions and the creation of tools for volunteers. Our target group is primarily young ESC volunteers from partner countries and those who are considering becoming ESC volunteers. Secondly, our project is aimed at youth workers in order to develop their skills to support volunteers and to carry out their project. The main objective of our project is to foster the adoption of innovative practices by youth workers linked to ETUC volunteers, by developing collaborative and accessible learning approaches for all young beneficiaries of European Solidarity Corps projects.

This strategic project allows the platform’s content and services to be adapted and structured, learning methods to be modernised and simplified, and the networking of young volunteers to be facilitated. Access to dynamic online training will also be facilitated by involving experienced partners in volunteering actions and the creation of tools for volunteers. Our target group is primarily young ESC volunteers from partner countries and those who are considering becoming ESC volunteers. Secondly, our project is aimed at youth workers in order to develop their skills to support volunteers and to carry out their project. The main objective of our project is to foster the adoption of innovative practices by youth workers linked to ETUC volunteers, by developing collaborative and accessible learning approaches for all young beneficiaries of European Solidarity Corps projects.

 

The ESC-2-Learn project (n° 2020-1-EN02-KA205-017477 ) is based on several objectives:

  • Improving the structuring, adapting, updating and promoting the content of our e-esc.eu platform and ensuring its sustainability so that it can better respond to the evolving needs of the beneficiaries (European & local volunteers and host organisations) and facilitate access to mobility and non-formal learning for young people.
  • To develop the ICT and pedagogical skills of 15 e-tutors in support of distance learning for European and non-European volunteers, beneficiaries of our platform, including those with fewer opportunities.
  • To develop and recognise the skills of European and non-European volunteers, including those with fewer opportunities, in order to ensure quality ESC projects and encourage their civic initiatives.
  • Promote the dialogue of volunteers with their peers, youth workers, host organisations and resource persons from different countries to improve the quality of the projects and to encourage their civic initiatives, voluntary initiatives, as well as their impact and visibility.
  • Make the exchange of experiences and practices between volunteers and promoters of volunteering projects easier and more fruitful.

Our consortium has pooled its knowledge and experience and mobilised its network of partners to develop new pedagogical tools to strengthen and develop the skills of young volunteers, but also the methodological means of youth workers. The project is in line with the objectives of the “Key Action 2” programme, youth sector to strengthen competences and employability, foster inclusion and develop transnational mobility.