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Volunteers as the Interface between formal and non-formal education
Start date: Oct 1, 2015, End date: May 31, 2017 PROJECT  FINISHED 

Global socio-cultural trends and the pressure of economic competitiveness have created their own learning needs that require the reinforcement of links between formal and non-formal education. Non-formal learning is about the liberating potential of new forms of learning that are learner-centred, motivating, experiential, and inspiring. Bringing the two streams of education together will result in education that stimulates motivation for learning as it focuses on the needs and aspirations of each student. The project aims at making learning an interactive and collaborative process that inspires young people, in particular youth with fewer opportunities, to partake in learning and acquire knowledge. The majority of young volunteers worldwide are engaged in formal education, and this project seeks to strengthen their contributions and that of all stakeholders in formal education host projects worldwide.The non-formal approach in this capacity building project is based on experiential learning - ‘learn by experience’ involving emotional, intuitive and imaginative learning through practical, interactive exercises. Such learning has the potential to provide a range of skills and competencies (communication, problem-solving, critical thinking skills, etc.) and can instil knowledge, attitudes and values. Volunteers will play a key role in introducing and using the new methodology in the classroom to infuse elements of civic education and diversity, including intercultural dialogue, and improve delivery of formal educational content. With 16 participating countries - Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Italy, Iceland, Finland, UK, Denmark, Colombia, Bolivia, Mexico, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Ghana and South Africa - the project comprises the activities: a) Taskforce meeting to plan process and structureb) Training of 22 Multipliers: Youth volunteering organisations and teachers / educators from host projects involved in education in 16 countries worldwidec) Eight-month EVS for 14 volunteers - 8 from EU and 6 from non-EU countriesd) Local non-formal education trainings by multipliers for EVS and ICYE volunteers and/or formal education host projects (minimum 50 direct and 500 indirect beneficiaries). e) 14 EVS volunteers support teaching staff in using non-formal tools in the classroom. Teachers and volunteers will document and give written feedback on the process, achievements and lessons learned. f) Taskforce meeting to discuss feedback from volunteers and teachers, and finalize the publication and dissemination of non-formal education toolkit for formal education. A social media strategy will regularly inform partners & general public on progress & achievements.The project's objective is to improve the quality of delivery of formal education content and simultaneously to strengthen the work of young people volunteering in formal education projects, providing them invaluable skills and competences and maximizing learning outcomes and experiences.
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