Summary

Youth employment is part of EU employment policy, within the wider context of the “Europe 2020” growth and jobs strategy.

Europe is facing a high number of unemployed young people. The consequences of high unemployment are not more economic, but Europe also risks a 'lost generation' of young people that, because they cannot participate in society, deals with low self-esteem, low motivation and even radicalisation of thoughts and cynicism. It is a threat to the personal development of these young people as well as society and Europe as a whole.

Champions Factory LTD developed the project "Youth Leadership Academy" (YLA) because it is important for young people – as well as for the future of Europe - to be inspired to learn, to develop their talents, skills and attitudes towards themselves and society. Youth workers and youth leaders play an important role in supporting young people, and they also play a vital role in supporting young people's reflection on their personal development. We created awareness of skills (both new and old), a (re) gained confidence and inspiration and empowered these young people to promote the development of leadership skills and higher awareness of employability. Youth leadership in today’s Europe is a key issue for a greater economic development and a deeper crises solution.

The idea of the project "Youth Leadership Academy" connected different aspects - entrepreneurship and leadership, sport for building soft skills, personal expression in sessions, presentations, business planning, etc. We implemented two inter-related training courses with practical sessions delivered from the main moderators, where the participants developed their skills, knowledge and attitudes.

"Youth Leadership Academy" reached the following results:

• Participants shared examples of good practices combating youth unemployment

• Youth workers developed their skills, knowledge and attitudes, which reflected on their everyday work.

• We developed a sustainable network of​ organisations in the youth field and sport.

• We familiarised youth workers with NFE and Education through Sport tools

We involved 72 youth workers, as 23 of them were with fewer opportunities.

Impact and long-term benefits:

The activities of YLA and follow-up significantly contributed to the personal and professional development and increased the knowledge and experience of the members of the partner organisations and through them, the organisations automatically improved. Now organisations have young leaders their teams who can use youth leadership (regarding the development of leadership through sport and NFE). The impact on the organisations is visible by capacity obtained and the new initiatives developed by the project partners. The project developed a sustainable network between the partner organisations. Also, the partners enriched the methods of work and established contacts with other youth organisations.

Participants in the project, with the help and support of leaders of the project, organised follow-up activities in their communities and spread the project results and information regarding ERASMUS + program. They organised 21 follow up activities and involved more than 400 youth workers, other youngsters and stakeholders from Europe.

Results

Report-paper “Youth Leadership Academy”

Description

We created the report-paper “Youth Leadership Academy” in which we included:- information about the project activities;- "Researchers on Entrepreneurship and Employment Opportunities"- Education through Sport Tools - participants created, tested and finalised four Education through Sport Tools which can be used in their future work;- "Business Canvas Models" - participants developed Canvas and developed seven business models related to their interests, personal and professional experience;- 21 Follow-up activities reports were implemented by participants in total, though they reached 11 organisations and more than 400 youth workers and youngsters. The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Video interviews of the participants

Description

We produced two short videos about the project in which we gathered moments from the sessions in the training and emotions of the participants.

Video from the first Training Course in Bansko: https://vimeo.com/247611458

Video from second Training Course in Istanbul: https://vimeo.com/247607626

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Video interviews of the participants

Description

In the last day of Activity 2, we organised shooting of video interviews of participants. In the short movie, the participants are sharing opinions for the training and best learning outcomes for them.

The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

Dropbox folder with all tangible outcomes

Description

We gathered all tangible outcomes in common Dropbox folder which is available for all interested sides. Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rbkxexz9cgsknlg/AABo7WPw6fJdUpteKAltKpy_a?dl=0The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.