PEOPLE+ | Y.E.E.H. (Youth Entrepreneurship Education Heroes) – the creativity and entrepreneurial e

30 youth workers from 10 European Youth organizations discovered how they can design experiential and creative learning contexts in entrepreneurial education for the "Missing Entrepreneurs". The intensive course proposed by Civitas Mileto Association is part of the international project - Y.E.E.H. (Youth Entrepreneurship Education Heroes) funded by the Erasmus + programme, and supports the nonprofit organizations that coordinate local activities and programs for young people from rural, immigrants and women.

Between January 17-24 2019, representatives of 10 youth organizations from Poland, Italy, Romania, Lithuania, Croatia, Greece, Denmark, Bulgaria, Spain and Portugal participated in a training course about creativity and entrepreneurial education in Mileto, Italy. The training course aimed to develop the entrepreneurship skills among youth workers, but also testing new non-formal learning methods that can be applied in local activities and sharing good practices among young people who already have launched their startups. The course also proposes to give a new perspective on the role of the youth worker in the digital era and to discuss the opportunities for learning, mentoring, career guidance and funding for young people, women and immigrants available in the 10 countries involved in the project.

Y.E.E.H training course is an invitation for youth workers to rediscover their creativity, spirit of initiative, effective tools and methods of entrepreneurial education. They have experienced and became aware with the launch stages of a start-up, how to generate ideas for social entrepreneurship projects or make a business plan. At the end of the course, they come up with 6 start-up ideas.

Within the project, organizations and participants involved created an entrepreneurial education analysis in 10 European countries, identifying national and European funding opportunities for youth. Moreover, they will jointly develop and manage an online support community for nonprofit, youth organizations interested in developing a social entrepreneurial project or entrepreneurial education programs devoted to NEET youth, women and immigrants.

#People

PEOPLE+ | How creating has changed my life

Nothing sparks more joy in me than the process of creation. Ever since I was little I have enjoyed embarking on different projects that depend on imagination and creativity. These projects would ultimately become my main goal at that specific time, I would neglect my physical well-being by forgetting to eat or sleep. However, it was the different stages of the project that made it worthwhile. Sleepless nights meant more satisfaction with the end product. Creating something means leaving a part of you in it. It is therefore no longer a mere object, rather than something prized and special. The ability to forge components that carry no meaning by themselves into one perfectly new ,full of potential creation, is a gift only few people get to enjoy.

A creator shares a unique connection with the creation, which makes it so valuable. The main reason being that the creation is a reflection of the author’s inner world. The thought process that is involved in the making is what differentiates all mass-produced objects from the creator’s touch. In my opinion the manual production of even the simplest everyday-objects can change a person’s outlook and attitude. That is why I love spending my time creating.

My hobbies include creating in all its different forms. I find that drawing , sewing , sculpting ,designing and maybe even cooking can be recognized as an art form. To me art is nothing more than reality as seen through the lens of someone unique, someone, who is capable of seeing the potential of the unpolished diamond and does not comply with the outlook of the regular person.

I first began sculpting, because I felt that it gave me the power to express myself through a rough and unsophisticated material . I am then able to transform that shapeless, useless piece that is of no significance and turn it into something beautiful. I find that to be a necessity in the otherwise gloomy 21st century. It is only the strokes of the brush, the touch of the craftsman that can convey the otherwise invisible human emotions in a physical form and lighten our mediocre existence. Thanks to them we are able to gain a deeper understanding of ourselves.

Dexterity can be useful in everyday situations, but it has permanently changed my life for the better in various ways. Every small creation I make gives me the confidence that I can achieve my goals with hard work and dedication. Sometimes certain projects prove to be difficult,but that has never stopped me from completing them.

What I have taken from this a strong determination to face all difficulties and find solutions to my problems in nontraditional ways.”Thinking out of the box” is one of the most important qualities I have gained from my experiences in creating. The ability to find solutions in an unconventional way has helped me see the brighter side of life and find beauty in simplicity. Moreover, it has given me meaning, a clear goal to follow, and a passion to wake up with whenever I have a project in mind.

#People

PEOPLE+ | Experience blog

The first Erasmus+ project I participated in was called “H.O.M.E. - Hosting Opportunities for Migrants in Europe”. The youth exchange project took place in the province of Lecce, in the South of the Apulia Region. Its aim and specific objectives were:

● To Promote good practices of integration and development for hosting refugees and asylum seekers in local communities; ● To Foster interaction among young participants, citizens and refugees in local communities; ● And to Develop new consciousness at local and international level, through replicable practices.

The second Erasmus+ project was called​ “Be part of Europe”​. It took place in Sardinia, Italy and its objectives were:

• To support youngsters in the process of knowledge and approach to policy,

• To encourage them in the development of awareness and critical thinking and make them feel active and proactive

• To exercise their rights and duties and create dialogue between young people and policy makers

• To create documents that policy-makers can use to target better policies.

The project ​“Recycle Upcycle”​ took place in Paralimni, Cyprus. We combined both unemployment and environmental conservation by creating opportunities for employment in these industries and fields.

The idea was to combine the two and try to achieve solutions for both problems. The project gave value to waste and also reduced unemployment.

The participants successfully created and obtained Cultural Awareness from Intercultural Exchange and digital competences. Various non-formal methodologies were used during the project: simulations, discussions,workshops, team building activities and presentations.

The youth exchange project ​“Balancing Happiness”​ was held in Stepanavan, Armenia.

The main objectives of the project were:

• To promote the concept of balanced happiness among youngsters

• To explore the connection between physical and mental health

• To introduce the idea of “Happiness -Wellness” as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being

• To develop follow-up projects for international cooperation to further elaborate the topics of the project

The first evening was a welcome evening and the following 2 days we had intercultural evenings where everyone presented typical foods and drinks that they had brought from their country. The participants showed interesting presentations of participating countries, their culture, music and dances. We also didn’t forget about bonfire and karaoke night. It was an awesome experience for everybody. The participants learnt a lot, made many new friends and had a lot of fun. Everyone has changed for the better and has become happier.

The youth exchange project ​“The Great Outdoors” ​was held in Aberfoyle, STIRLING

The participants, who were from Bulgaria, Austria, Finland, Germany, Italy and the UK shared knowledge, experience and ideas using a non-formal style of education.

The main objectives of the project were:

• To learn about outdoor education

• To explore different methodologies in delivering adventure and environmental work for young people

• To find out how the activity can be accredited to give disadvantaged young people recognized qualifications

• To make use of smartphone film and media techniques to capture and record achievement and give the ability for youth workers to disseminate widely the work of their young people

The hosting organization gave opportunity to the participants to reflect on the topic of The Great Outdoors through interactive activities summarizing the outcomes.

#People